The Gumption Gang

Freddie's Impossible Dream by Nigel Lungenmuss Ward; illustrated by Robbie Lungenmuss-Ward

The Garden Gang by Jayne Fisher (Ladybird Books)  

Growing up as a reader started for me (as it did for many of a certain age) with the  Ladybird Books. Their hardback uniformity was a comfort and as I lined them up on the shelf at the tender age of five or six, they took on the importance of my own personal, miniature library. My mum was a Reception teacher and so, the 'First Book of Words' and even the packs of flashcards (now dubbed 'Vintage', I see, on eBay) were my very first forays into reading books for myself. 

 

Later, came something I remember being almost incredible: 'The Garden Gang' series by Jayne Fisher. These little Ladybird books each contained two stories and told the tales of Betty Beetroot, Wee Willy Watermelon, Penelope Strawberry and sundy other fruit-and-veg characters. I loved their felt-tipped brilliance and quirkiness but what was more extraordinary to me was that they had been written by a nine-year-old girl. Jayne became both a source of inspiration and of mild envy to me! 

 

I've never forgotten what seeing another child's work published in book form meant to me. It seemed dramatically exciting and urgent but also, even though I wrote all sorts of poems and comics and stories in my early writing years, it never seemed like something I could achieve. That's not a feeling I want to pass on to the children I know and teach - it's not OK if they think that ambitious success is beyond their reach. 

 

Well, in a new book from the Lungenmuss-Ward duo there is hope for everyone! 

 

In Freddie's Impossible Dream, the main character - a grown-up - struggles to be taken seriously as a singer. But he perseveres and manages ultimately to fulfil his impossible dream. It's great for children to see adults face difficulties, problems and even ridicule; for them to see that it's not just plain sailing when you grow up; that adulthood doesn't bring everything you ever wanted. In fact, achieving your dream takes time, commitment and sometimes even a bit of luck. 

 

The author's son Robbie (now nine-years old!) has illustrated the book throughout and this is where real inspiration can be found for young people. I love the interplay between word and picture: the written word leaves plenty of room for the pictures to reveal the true joy of the story with Robbie's humour and candid sensitivity to the fore. Robbie's view of the story is always uplifting, even in Freddie's saddest times; there's always some good cheer to be found. It's in these illustrations - that felt-tippy, bright cheerfulness of Jay
ne Fisher blended with a modern comic-strip wit and sensibility redolent of Jeff Kinney and Dav Pilkey (two of Robbie's heroes) - that we see a lightning strike of purest optimism. 

 

Nigel says in an afterword that he wrote the story to encourage his son to follow his dreams and never give up (Robbie wants to be an illustrator and animator).  I'm absolutely sure that this team - this newly founded 'Gumption Gang'! - and their strong bond will inspire a whole new generation of children (and adults too) to see that their voices matter...and never to give up in making those dreams a reality.

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When you've read a copy, whether it's with an individual child, to a whole class, or even whole school (because this would be great to use in an assembly), you might like to start some book chat to connect the book to you and the children. Here's some starting points for you! 

 

Wondering about the book

• What makes Freddie want to give up throughout the story? 
• What makes him want to go on with his singing? 
• Find (or imagine) all the different feelings that Freddie experiences throughout the story. Sort them into positive and negative groups. What does doing this activity tell you about Freddie's journey to achieving his dreams? 
• Talk about what Freddie's friends and family say to him throughout the story. 
• If you could ask Freddie a question, what would you want to know? 

Connecting the book to the reader

• What do you do that makes you happy? 
• What hobbies of yours would you like to show to the world?
• Who are your biggest fans?   
• Which of the pictures made you feel 'You could do it' if you wanted to achieve your dreams? What about any of Freddie's words or thoughts? Which of them encourage you? 
• What makes you want to give up sometimes?
• How did the book make you feel differently about things in your life? 

Thinking about the writer and the illustrator

• Is it important or relevant to you that the author is a grown-up and the illustrator a child? 
• Do you think you can tell that the author and illustrator are father and son? 
• What are your thoughts about what Nigel says in the Afterword? Do you feel he has achieved his second ambition for the book?