Kirkus Reviews

Attendees at a convention of extraterrestrials mingle with equally strange, large-headed children as young Zubert rides with his mother in her van to deliver flowers to the best hotels in London. While waiting for her in the lobby of the "smartest hotel of all," Zubert becomes involved in a mission to rid the hotel of pesky animals in advance of an imminent visit from the hotel inspectors. Snoring Spinglefranks, a herd of blue, bespectacled buffalo, and a gaggle of troublesome monkeys are shooed from the rooms; a giant octopus is removed from the swimming pool; and all kinds of destructive pests are expelled from the kitchen. There, a perfect meal is prepared for the inspectors thanks to Zubert's quick wits and the "slightly magic" powers of the Spinglefranks. The hotel inspection is completed, and the inspectors are satisfied, unaware of all the hijinks going on around them. There's a lot to look at and signs to read in these fanciful cartoon illustrations, filled as they are with intriguing and sometimes-mysterious details. The endpapers in grayscale charmingly depict the hotel's lost-and-found cabinet, which is filled with insects, food and artifacts. Perhaps acknowledging its second-banana status to the illustrations, the all-uppercase text is too small and sometimes hard to find on the page. It's a playful, even psychedelic feast for the eyes, but don't get it for the story. (Picture book. 5-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The delirium of newcomer Sutcliffe-s artwork offers a delicious contrast to the exacting polish of his technique. Although roundheaded Zubert and his fellow creatures resemble plastic game pieces, they move like living creatures and express themselves with engaging charm. Zubert has time to kill in a hotel while his mother delivers flowers, and he discovers that the halls and rooms are overrun with animals-stampeding aqua buffalo in spectacles, troops of naughty monkeys, a giant red octopus in the pool. Since two pompous hotel inspectors are making their rounds, time is of the essence. The Spinglefranks, flying bunnies who kit Zubert out with his own wings, must hide the animals, and Zubert offers help. -What about a mouse?- Zubert suggests to scare an elephant out of the kitchen; the mouse the -slightly magic- Spinglefranks summon has a forest of green tentacles. Look closer for bonus delights like the family marching down the street in flippers and snorkel masks and an elaborate theater of vegetables. Look closer, too, for the text itself, which is quite tiny and crammed into the corners. Even so, it-s a notable debut. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)

School Library Journal (Thu May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

PreS-Gr 2 Something catches Zubert's attention as he waits for his mother to finish delivering flowers. Soon he's off on a wacky adventure to the Royal Suite, the pool, and even the kitchen of London's Savoy Hotel. As the inspectors arrive, magical spinglefranks enlist Zubert in their efforts to conceal the aqua buffaloes, brown monkeys, orange octopus, and polka-dotted elephant that are creating havoc at the hotel. Although he isn't "slightly magic" like the spinglefranks, Zubert provides the perfect help. Silly language and playful illustrations that have a steampunk feel will amuse young readers and listeners. The art in this imaginative story includes many clever details, providing something new to discover with each reading. The block text is small and its placement a bit tricky, but Zubert, in his red hoodie, and the enthusiastic black-and-white manga-style spinglefranks are delightful. Gaye Hinchliff, King County Library System, WA