Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Illustrator:  Andrea Wesson

Ratings Explanation

Violence:  Dadoo, a reformed headhunter, in the Ikkinasti Jungle shoots a poisonous dart at Rexi, the villainous developer, which causes him to behave in a strange manner.  The Golden-Haired Apes imprison Evangeline’s parents for months.  Her parents are brachiated through the jungle by the Golden-Haired Apes.  There is a description of the Ikkinasti Spitting Spider, who blinds and then eats its prey.

Adult Themes:  Dadoo is a reformed headhunter, who displays his trophy heads by hanging them from the ceiling in his jungle hut.  Evangeline is left for months at an extended relative’s home.  She is neglected and depressed with her situation.

Synopsis

Evangeline Mudd is the daughter of Merriweather and Magdalena Mudd, primatologists whose expertise is the Golden-Haired Apes of the Ikkinasti Jungle.  Evangeline has had an unusual upbringing.  She learned to brachiate while still a young child, that is to fly through the trees like a primate.  She is also an extremely gifted piano player and composer.

Merriweather and Magdalena are asked to come to the Ikkinasti Jungle for a special research project.  Unfortunately, there are only two travel visas.  Evangeline is left behind with a distant relative of Mr. Mudd.  Cousin Melvin Mudd owns a mink farm/fur coat company.  His wife is the famous former ballerina, India Terpsichore, who is apparently consumed with “not letting herself go….”.  The combination of this self-consumed couple leads to homesickness and loneliness for Evangeline as a two week stay stretches in a multi-month stay.  Evangeline is rescued from the selfish duo by another famous primatologists, Dr. Aphrodite Pikkaflee.  Dr. Pikkaflee and Evangeline head to the Ikkinasti Jungle to rescue Merriweather and Magdalena Mudd with the help of Dadoo, a reformed headhunter.  They encounter Golden-Haired Apes, Ikkinasti Spitting Spiders and Rexi Pikkaflee, the villainous developer.

A fun read.  A delightful and engaging tale for a young chapter book reader.  There are great illustrations to help keep your reader focused.  I anxiously await a sequel.

©2009 The Literate Mother