What Amazon says
Brody Cody is almost eight years old and definitely, absolutely, positively does NOT want a mother. His mother died when he was a baby but life with his dad is just perfect.
Brody is horrified when his father goes away to a publishing conference and returns with a wife, Pandora Smith, who is a children’s author. His life spirals out of control as he is forced to eat healthy food, do his homework and help with some chores.
Even worse, he and his friends suspect that his new stepmother might be an alien from outer space.
A hilarious adventure for children aged 6-9.
My review
This book is a hilarious and fun read for young readers aged 7 to 13 years old. It is quite reminiscent, with its quirky and slightly dark humour, of Roald Dahl’s books, in particular, it reminded me a bit of James and the Giant Peach where James’ parents are eaten by a rampaging rhinoceros.
Cody, the young hero if this book, is raised by his relaxed and nonchalant father after his mother is mowed down unexpectedly by a runaway bus. Cody is spared because he flies out of his pram and across into the hands of the police constable who catches him like a baseball.
Cody is a happy boy who lives with no rules and little parental intervention. His father works from home in the afternoons, and is not given to checking on Cody’s homework or making sure it is done. They have an interesting diet too that comprises of sweet and sickly cereal in the morning and some fabulously unhealthy father created meals in the evenings.
Cody is happy and doesn’t believe he needs a mother like other children have. He has freedom and he is happy living with his father.
One day, Cody’s father needs to go away to an out-of-town conference. Cody cannot go with him and is sent to his friend’s home for this period. Cody’s friend has a mother and she sets about trying to mend Cody’s lackadaisical ways. Just before Cody is due to go home, he gets a quick call from his father telling him he has met and married a woman he met at the conference.
Cody is horrified and returns home quite determined to reject this new mother, but things don’t go quite according to plan. Cody discovers things about his new mother than lead him to believe she is an alien.
This really is a rollicking good story and young children will love it.
Excellent review, Robbie 👍🤗
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Thank you, Chris. A really fun book.
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This sounds like a really fun read for youngsters!
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Thank you, Ritu. Toni x
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I really enjoyed it, Ritu. Kids will love this.
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A chap read book for young uns!
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Thank you so much, Robbie, for reading and reviewing Brody Cody and generously sharing it on your lovely website. What a superb review. Have a fantastic weekend and stay safe. Toni x
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My pleasure, Toni. A fantastic book.
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Congratulations on the wonderful review, Toni!
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Thank you very much, Liz – I was thrilled. Stay safe. Toni x
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You’re welcome, Toni.
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This is highly entertaining. There is nothing like this sort of humour to give you a jolly good laugh.
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I always appreciate a jolly good laugh.
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Reblogged this on Toni Pike and commented:
I’ve been very honoured by having my new children’s book reviewed by wonderful children’s writer, Robbie Cheadle.
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Congratulations to Toni. This looks like a fun read and the cover is sweet. Thanks for sharing, Robbie.
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Thank you so much, Jill. Toni x
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Jill. A really fun book to read.
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I love the sound of this book. Stepparents often get a bad rap. Kids will love it!
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Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Darlene. Toni x
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It has a very unexpected ending, Darlene. I think children, especially boys, will really like it.
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Sounds awesome for little children, Robbie. Such a lovely review.
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Thank you, Kamal. This is a lovely book.
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Welcome Robbie and yes must surely be a good book.
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Thank you very much, Kamal. I agree, it was a superb review. Toni x
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You are welcome and yes it was awesome 👍👍
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This sounds like such a fun book, Robbie. I love kid’s books like this. Thanks for sharing your review. 🙂
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When your Grandson gets a little older, he will love this book. It is really up a young boys street.
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He’s almost seven and would probably enjoy it now. Even your review made me laugh. 😀
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Nearly seven, time passes so quickly, Diana.
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Thank you so much, Diana. It sounds like your grandson is almost the same age as Brody, LOL. Have a fabulous weekend. Toni x
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He just got a new dad, so we have the blended family thing going on. 🙂
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That is not something I have experienced, Diana, but it is quite common now.
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How lovely, Diana – thinking of you all at this special time. Toni x
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What a clever idea for a story!
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It really is, John. I really enjoyed this and read the whole book in one sitting.
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Thanks, John, I’m so glad you think so. Stay safe. Toni
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Sounds like a winner, Robbie. I’m sure the kids will love it. 🙂
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Thanks Kevin, that is lovely of you. Toni
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Absolutely, Kevin, I am going to recommend it to my sisters for both their respective kids.
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Nice one! 🙂
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Thank you, Robbie – that would be wonderful. Toni x
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Lovely review Robbie! Thanks for sharing. All the best to Toni.
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All the best to you, Balroop, and thank you for your lovely thoughts. Toni x
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My pleasure, Balroop, a great book for kids.
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Fantastic review, Robbie! 🙂 Brody Cody is on my kindle… MEGA KUDOS to author Toni Pike! 🙂 xo
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Thank you so much for all your generosity and lovely comments, Bette. Toni x
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It is the prefect read for now, Bette. So amusing and light hearted. I really enjoyed it.
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I’ve read a few reviews of this book, Robbie, and every one seems to agree that it’s a fun read. Thanks for adding your voice to it.
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Thank you so much for all your interest and lovely thoughts, Norah. I hope you have a fabulous week. Toni x
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Thank you, Toni. Best wishes to you too, and much success with your book.
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My pleasure, I think this book is a real winner, Norah.
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It sounds like it, Robbie. I’ll have to read it. 🙂
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Congratulations, Tony, on what appears to be a really cute book, one I bet lots of kids will relate to!
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Thank you, Jacqui. It is a book that kids will really enjoy.
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Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Jacqui – I certainly hope both kids and their parents will relate to it. I really had fun writing it. Have a very safe week. Toni x
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Fab review Robbie. I had no doubts you’d enjoy this book of Toni’s 🙂
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Thank you so much, Debby – and I hope you’re having a lovely birthday today. Toni x
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Thanks Toni. It was ❤
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Hi Debby, it is a very entertaining story. I hope you had a lovely birthday.
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Thanks Robbie. It was a lovely, relaxing day ❤
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Sometimes it’s hard for us to explain things to little kids, but when they read books about certain subject, they can somehow relate that and the light bulb turns on and they apply the message to their situations. We do need children’s books on many many subjects.
I’m sure this is a great book for kids, Toni. Thank you for the review, Robbie. 🙂
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My pleasure, Miriam. I viewed this book as an amusing insight into a child’s imagination as a result of his new circumstances. Remembering my own childhood, I can just imagine a group of kids conspiring together because they believe someone is a witch, alien or fairy.
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I remember reading books reflecting children’s fantasies. It’s interesting to try to understand their thinking! When I read to Autumn, her questions about the stories helped me follow her thoughts.
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Thank you so much, Miriam. I agree with you, a story can make all the difference to a child, and a way to explore so many subjects. Life can be so complicated. Toni x
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You’re welcome, Toni. My two years old granddaughter learned something from some books and I’m sure all the kids could benefit the same. ❤
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This sounds like such an entertaining read – love that he things the new stepmom is an alien.
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Thanks, Teri – I’m pleased you like the sound of it. Toni x
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Thanks Teri, it is a lot of fun.
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This is the second great review I read for this book in a very short period, Robbie. It sounds delightful and fun. Thanks for the recommendation!
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Thank you so much for reading those reviews and your lovely comments, Olga. Toni x
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My pleasure, Olga. A lovely book and I have also seen a few other great reviews around.
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This sounds like a fun story. Great review Robbie.
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, and have a fabulous week. Toni x
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Thank you, Carla, it is a great read.
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