Finn's Epic Fails: Downhill From Here - Phil Earle

 

After coming into some money, Finn's gran is taking the family on holiday to Tenerife, and Finn is allowed to take a friend; through a very technical decision process (picking a name out of a hat) Google is that lucky friend and, along with the rest of the family, they head off for what should be a wonderful holiday.  However, things go wrong from the very start, with a luggage mix-up, a terrible hotel with rats, an embarrassing brother and a partying Gran, Finn realises that this may not quite be the holiday he was hoping it would be, and then his mother turns up and things just get worse!  Can Finn really turn the week around so he has at least some wins?

Finn's first outing had me howling with laughter when I read it (you can read my review here) so I was thrilled to find an early copy of the second book waiting for me at home last week.

As expected, Downhill From Here is just as funny, possibly even more so!  The book centres around Finn's holiday to Tenerife and I loved that there are so many things in the book that will be relatable to readers: holiday swimming pools, the breakfast buffet, parents wearing embarrassing clothing, Grans suddenly out partying all night (ok, I can't quite relate to that one but I can certainly imagine!).  Readers will be transported to the sunshine and the waterpark with Finn and will find themselves laughing and cringing at what happens to him.

Phil's chatty style of writing in the book means that, once again, Finn's endearing personality shines through the pages, and with Google at his side, he can just about manage Jonah's antics ... well almost!  With illustrations from Al Murphy and Finn's Fail-o-meter signalling the start of every chapter, this is another guaranteed hit.

I read the first 4 1/2 pages to the whole school in assembly on Friday and had the entire place in fits of giggles ... staff too!  They are now desperate to get their hands on the book so I suspect there will be a queue at my office door for it on Monday morning.

Publishing 2nd July, Finn's Epic Fails: Downhill From Here is the perfect accompaniment to anybody's summer holiday ... just check the elastic on your swim shorts before you hit the pool!!