Don’t Look Too Tasty by PGH Hannaford

This review first appeared on Reader Views. Read the Reader Views Kids version here. 

Martha Gibbons did not want to move. She didn’t want to start a new school. She doesn’t want her mom to obsess about her weight. She does want her sister to leave her alone. She does want her dad to be back to his normal self. And she does want to fill up her secret biscuit tin stashed under her bed. However, many of these problems seem small as she uncovers the secrets behind three staff members at her school: Mr. Newton (her primary teacher who wears a mask all the time and might just be an alien if Martha is to believe her new friends), Mrs. Gnash (a cruel teacher who seemingly inexplicably keeps bringing in the tastiest treats), and Miss Slider (the head of the school who has a possibly supernatural knack for showing up at just the right time). As Martha learns more about these three adults, as well as the adults in her life and her friends’ lives, she finds the world is far more complex than she realized.

Don’t Look Too Tasty by PGH Hannaford is a fun science fiction romp for middle grade readers (though I had quite a good time reading it as well). It will be best enjoyed by readers who enjoy a healthy dose of silliness and near absurdity, as those looking for a straightforward school story may be put off due to the tone and plot elements. Don’t Look Too Tasty has aliens, a collective being made up of newts, and even time travel. Yet throughout there are themes of friendship, family, what it means to be healthy, and first impressions not being the be-all and end-all. These themes help ground some of the more fun–yet admittedly bizarre–elements of the book.

Martha’s thoughts and perspective are always present as Don’t Look Too Tasty is told from her point of view. This allows readers to easily bond with her and not feel alone when confused (as Martha is often confused at first as well). While Martha struggles with her mother’s perception of her weight, her love for food and lack of care of what others think is crystal clear. Although the ending resolution in regards to her weight could have been handled with a little more nuance, it’s important to remember that this book is for children and, after all, Martha asks to be healthier, not skinnier.

Don’t Look Too Tasty is great, bizarre, science fiction fun for middle grade readers (and others) who love the quirky, the silly, and the heartfelt. With grounding themes, author PGH Hannaford has crafted what could easily be the first book in a wonderful series.

Don’t Look Too Tasty by PGH Hannaford, Brown Dog Books