Regarding the…

I’d seen the “Regarding the…” series books at the bargain bookstore for some time, but I kept passing up on them until my cousin Dianne (a.k.a. book addiction enabler) raved about them… And then they became harder to find, proving my bargain bookstore theory yet again: the probability of finding a particular book in a bargain bookstore is inversely proportional to the urgency of your need for it.

Anyway, I lucked out and managed to find two: Regarding the Fountain and Regarding the Bathrooms by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise. These were among the first books I read this year, but I lent them to someone and only got them back a few weeks ago.

Regarding the Fountain: A Tale in Letters, of Liars and Leaks is an epistolary middle reader book about Dry Creek Middle School, which is in need of a new drinking fountain after their old one starts leaking. Walter Russ, the principal sends a request for a new drinking fountain to Flowing Waters Fountains, etc., and designer Florence “Flo” Waters agrees to build a custom-made fountain for the school.

Flo enlists the help of Mr. N’s fifth grade class to give her ideas for the new fountain, and soon the fountain becomes a class project! As Flo and the students get more involved in the project, they find something fishy lurking beneath the surface of the fountain, and a town scandal brews as secrets come to light.

Regarding the Fountain is one of the most entertaining books I’ve read this year.  It’s far from your run-of-the-mill middle grade chapter book: the pages are whimsically illustrated as a compilation of letters, memos, publications, notes, and other print ephemera, adding lots of visual interest to story.

The story is just marvelous; it’s something even an adult will enjoy, especially if you’re as fond of silliness as I am. The humorous exchanges of the students, as well as the play on language (characters like Tad Poll, Wally Russ, Goldie Fisch, Sally Mander, and Barry Cuda) are a delight to read from start to finish.

Here’s a peek inside the book:

 

 

Regarding the Bathrooms: A Privy to the Past brings Flo Waters back to the school, this time with a work order for a new set of bathrooms in the basement. It’s summertime and there’s a flurry of activity in town: Wally Russ is floundering through preparations for the Society of Principals and Administrators (SPA) Conference; the kids are busy proving themselves at their summer school jobs; Mr. Sam N’s marriage appears to be on the rocks; and a notorious crime ring is at work, right under police officer Mack Rell’s nose!

As always, Flo Waters is just what the town needs. The kids write to Flo regarding the events in town, and with a little nudge from Flo, everyone comes up with an ingenious solution to their troubles.

I thought the novelty would wear off after one book, but I liked this book every bit as much as the first, although Regarding the Fountain has a tighter plot.

I wish, though, that I could read the series in order. It starts with Regarding the Fountain, followed by Regarding the Sink and Regarding the Trees. Regarding the Bathrooms is the fourth book, followed by Regarding the Bees. I do wish I can hunt them all down (help?); I haven’t seen any regular-priced copies at the local book stores.

I have another book from this dynamic sister duo — Over My Dead Body from the 43 Old Cemetery Road series, but it’s book two so I can’t read it yet until I find at least the first book, boo hoo.

Meanwhile, here are some pages from Regarding the Bathrooms:

 

 

If you spot any of the other books in the series (as well as other books by the Klises) in Manila, please let me know!

***

Regarding the Fountain, paperback, and Regarding the Bathrooms, both 5/5 stars

books #44-45 for 2011

[amazonify]::omakase::300:250[/amazonify]