The Fantastic Family Whipple

by Matthew Ward Narrated by Steven Crossley

Overview

- Most Creme Brulee Eaten in One Minute - Highest Number of Matching Outfits Worn by a Stuffed Toy and Its Owner - Youngest Person to Summit the Third-Highest Mountain in the World These are just three of the 49,521 records won by Arthur's twelve brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, unlike his siblings, Arthur hasn't broken a single, solitary world record! But when the Whipples suffer a spate of catastrophes and a curious amount of attention from a pair of irregularly sized and unusually menacing clowns, Arthur might be the only one who can save his family from losing their collective crown . . . or worse.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

As the only ordinary member of a family obsessed with breaking world records, 11-year-old Arthur Whipple has long disappointed his overachieving parents. While his siblings hold records like Most Accomplished Four-Year-Old Painter on Earth and Highest Note Ever Sung in Live Performance, Arthur has never set a single one. With the Unsafe Sports Showdown and the World Records World Championship fast approaching, Arthur anticipates finally making a contribution to the Whipple legend and redeeming himself. However, when mysterious accidents start befalling his family, he turns his talents toward mystery-solving instead, a task involving evil clowns, a rival family, and more. Ward’s debut has echoes of Roald Dahl, with the setting and story line falling somewhere between whimsical and pleasantly absurd. The idea of a world obsessed with extremes, such as Most Awards Presented in a Single Day, is played with tongue-in-cheek seriousness, allowing for humor, drama, and a healthy dose of adventure. It’s a genuinely fun and comically ludicrous romp, clearly worthy of Most World Records Outside of a World Records Book. Ages 8–up. Agent: Laura Rennert and Lara Perkins, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Aug.)

From the Publisher

"Echoes of Roald Dahl.... A genuinely fun and comically ludicrous romp, clearly worthy of Most World Records Outside of a World Records Book." —Publishers Weekly

"One of the most fun listening experiences of the year." —Publishers Weekly on the audio edition, starred review

"First-time author Matthew Ward's constant parade of sight gags, stage business, and preposterous feats is highly entertaining." —Common Sense Media

"A rollicking, record-breaking romp, running rife with riotous ribaldry! And featuring even more r's than this quote!"—Robert Paul Weston, award-winning author of Zorgamazoo and The Creature Department

School Library Journal

12/01/2013
Gr 3–6—Poor Arthur Whipple. He's about to turn 12 and has yet to distinguish himself among his huge family of overachieving world-record breakers. From failing to achieve the "Longest Time without Sleeping" record to flubbing the one for standing on one foot, Arthur's efforts to contribute to his family's fame are proving elusive. But when a mysterious curse seems to befall the Whipples, it might be up to Arthur to save them. As the mysteries pile up and the Whipple clan finds itself on the losing side of the World Record Championships, the young hero turns his talents to ferreting out clues and suspects behind his family's misfortunes. This novel's pace is frenetic; the action is over-the-top, as are the myriad world records (e.g., "The World's Largest Piece of French Toast," "Longest Continuous Time Playing an Accordion"). Think vaudeville on a roller coaster. There's humor and mayhem, and red herrings and nefarious suspects abound. The pace may delight some readers, while others will become exhausted. Even those who love it may feel frustrated that the mystery is not solved and they must hang on for a second installment. Give this one to readers with solid attention spans.—Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ

Kirkus Reviews

2013-10-02
Unfortunately ordinary in an extraordinary family, 11-year-old Arthur demonstrates sympathy and good sportsmanship as he works to find those responsible for his family's recent disasters and clear their former-gangster chef's name while continuing his fruitless search for a world record of any kind. The Whipple family's lives are devoted to adding to their collection of entries in Grazelby's Guide to World Records and Fantastic Feats. Recent disasters and stiff competition from their new neighbors, the Goldwins, threaten their position at the top of the record-breaker heap. With the stage set for a showdown at the Unsafe Sports competition, 200 pages in, readers may be ready for a climax and resolution. Instead there is yet another near-disaster, and all evidence points to faithful cook Sammy the Spatula, whose dialogue is written with a cockney accent. Arthur and new friend Ruby Goldwin--a noncompetitor--set out to find the giant and dwarf clowns they believe to be the real culprits. The second half of this overlong tale is devoted to their detective efforts, but the sudden end comes without wrap-up: The clowns are still at large, Sammy the Spatula's in hiding, and Arthur's no closer to his dream of breaking a record. Records mentioned in the text are listed in the final 22 pages. Even the legions of Guinness World Records fans are unlikely to return for the necessary sequel. For record-breaking tedium, this takes the cake. (Fiction. 9-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171223885
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	11/08/2013
Series:	The Fantastic Family Whipple , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

The Most Extraordinarily Ordinary Boy on Earth
(Continues…)

---

Excerpted from "The Fantastic Family Whipple"
by .
Copyright © 2014 Matthew Ward.
Excerpted by permission of Penguin Young Readers Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---

Videos