The Thing That Ate Aunt Julia - Hardcover

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- A crazy story of a child's revenge on a strict adult. Jeffrey's aunt doesn't let him play for fear of damaging the furniture. Finding a bottle of "Thick Yellow Goo" in the cabinet where his great-great grandfather stored his inventions, the boy pours some on cups and spoons, which come alive. Aunt Julia angrily pours the goo down the toilet, where it transforms the olive green fixture into a Jaws-like creature with sharp teeth and yellow eyes. The toilet goes on a rampage, chomping on furniture, kitchenware, and finally Aunt Julia. Jeffrey and his new friend play indoors and out, terrorizing one and all. Arriving home, the toilet returns to normal and burps up a repentant and thankful Aunt Julia. Allan sets Jeffrey and his home in paintbox bright watercolors outlined in fine black pen, and dresses Aunt Julia in purple. He uses a cartoonlike, comic style. However, the use of the toilet as the agent of revenge is troubling here, as it is a symbol of unknown power and terror for many toddlers. Also, a few details are beyond most children's experiences--e.g., that Aunt Julia's relief to be back overwhelms her initial concern about her Louis XIV carriage clock. Highly original, but somewhat disturbing. --Jacqueline Elsner, Athens Regional Library, GA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Aunt Julia is a bit of a prig. Her nephew Jeffrey is not allowed to play inside or have friends over, because it might mess up the house. Jeffrey's dismay over his aunt's obsessive neatness disappears when he discovers a magic elixir invented long ago by his great-great-grandfather. When Jeffrey tries the "Thick Yellow Goo" on his Aunt's china, it dances around the tabletop. An irate Aunt Julia dumps the rest of the goo down the toilet, with strange results. The next morning Jeffrey sees the newly animated toilet walking down the hall, looking for something to eat. After consuming many household items ("a nibble here, a nibble there") the toilet eats Aunt Julia. Eventually, the magic elixir begins to wear off and the toilet belches up a new and improved Aunt Julia. Her fussbudget ways a thing of the past, she happily tolerates her nephew's rambunctiousness--and avoids ambulatory toilets. Though not for every taste, perhaps, Allan's debut work--which gives a new meaning to "toilet training"--should please devotees of the wacky and nontraditional. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.