The Squickerwonkers: The Prequel cover art

The Squickerwonkers: The Prequel

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The Squickerwonkers: The Prequel

By: Evangeline Lilly
Narrated by: Sylvester McCoy
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About this listen

Come, step behind the curtain and enter a delightfully roguish world where mischief, mayhem and, perhaps, a dash of malice lurk....

Let us introduce you to the remarkable Squickerwonkers - a band of colorful marionettes, and stars of the fabulous Squickershow - and to Selma of the Rin-Run Royals - a clever little girl with a naughtiness lurking just beneath the surface. One day Selma stumbles upon this troupe of puppet-scoundrels and endures a cheeky test of character that leads to an unpleasant lesson; one The Squickerwonkers are only too happy to oblige in orchestrating.

In this, the prequel to the multi-book Squickerwonkers series, Selma’s curiosity and the Squickerwonkers’ vices set the stage for a wonderful cautionary tale that will captivate old and young alike.

©2013 Evangeline Lilly (P)2014 Quiet Cocoon Productions
Fantasy Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Humorous Fiction Literature & Fiction Scary Stories Science Fiction & Fantasy Scary Comedy Paranormal

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Critic reviews

"This is a wondrous book...the best book I've ever seen! These books might be sold out." (Amelia Taylor, six years old)

The Squickerwonkers is just such a wonderful tale. Children of all ages will delight in the book’s deliciously dark mischief.” (Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, creators of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies)

“[Kids] are adventurers by nature, they love to test themselves against their fears. And they will LOVE to be unsettled by this book.... Dark and delicious.” (Martin Baynton, author of Jane and the Magician and The Dragon’s Purpose)

“Fans of Gris Grimly and other creators of gentle horror should find their imaginations piqued.” (Publishers Weekly)

“More Grimm than Disney, Lilly and Fraser-Allen are unafraid to challenge their young readers and offer up a cautionary tale that promises to delight those willing to take the journey.” (Comics Online)

"Mystery, misanthropy, and mischief combine in this delightfully dark cautionary tale, written in an absorbing limerick style." (Foreword Reviews)

"Lilly set out to write a book that both children and parents could enjoy. She has succeeded." (SheKnows.com)

"The Squickerwonkers is a strange and wacky book but a fun one all the same." (Mugglenet)

"A creepy crawly delight." (B&N Book Blog)

"Parts Brothers Grimm, Roald Dahl and Tim Burton, The Squickerwonkers lurks at the shadowy end of the kids-lit spectrum” (Total Film)

“Dark and kooky tale.” (Richard Taylor, head of WETA Workshop)

“An amazing book.” (Comic Vine)

"A clever, creepy children's book." (Vulture)

"The rare kind of kids' book that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike." (Movies.com)

"The dark, alluring tale." (USA Today)

"[A] delightfully dark read." (Comics Alliance)

"A truly delightful and sophisticated children's book...and the easiest way to pitch it is to say were it a movie, it'd be right at home alongside the likes of Coraline and ParaNorman." (Movies.com)

All stars
Most relevant
A bit adult for my four year old but she loves the music. I really enjoyed listening too! Good stuff

Brilliant!

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this is right up there with the hobbit and Ronald Dahl it is genuinely brilliant

squickerwonkerly awesome

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If you could sum up The Squickerwonkers in three words, what would they be?

Greatest children's book!

What did you like best about this story?

That I could read this to my daughter and I could also sit down and read it by myself if I wanted. It is great for all ages!

Have you listened to any of Sylvester McCoy’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not but this one has held a high standard! Sylvester did an amazing job!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely

Any additional comments?

Evangeline Lilly did a wonderful job! Well worth the wait and cannot wait to read more about The Squickerwonkers!

Impeccable!

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very excited to see where this is headed. really hoping in years to come that this is still progressing. such imagination is a gift

simply love it, can't wait for more

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yeah, b/c it's totally sweet

What did you like best about this story?

introduces the human condition to kids

What about Sylvester McCoy’s performance did you like?

accents were awesome

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the ending left me wanting more

Any additional comments?

looking forward to the sequels

Cliffhanger

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