Pugnacious and Scuttlebutt: Mall Madness!!! (Book 3)

By Adam Wallace & Wayne Bryant

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Adam Wallace says he aims to entertain kids and inspire them with a love of reading. His numerous books include Numbskull and Nincompoop: Science Fair Shenanigans, and the 18,000 Holes in the Universe series. Wayne Bryant has illustrated this series and also Urban Legend Hunters: The Dreaded Mr Snipe.

This is the third title featuring these two seemingly mismatched friends.  It all began with Pugnacious and Scuttlebutt: Ready … Steady … Itch!, followed by Pugnacious and Scuttlebutt: S.M. Ellybutt Strikes Back. Scuttlebutt was once the fastest greyhound ever…until his butt got itchy in a race and he butt-shuffled his way to the finish, and Pugnacious, once the meanest, angriest, punchiest pug who hated everybody until he got a makeover at the handsome Hound Beauty Salon and relaxed a little bit.

Here they are avoiding S.M. Ellybutt once again, this time hiding out in a mall, creating mayhem and stealing food. Scuttlebutt is befriended by a cute little girl who calls out: The mean man is going to catch the cute widdle doggy woggy! Make him stop. Make him stop pweeeeease! The granny turns out to be a fierce fighter with her handbag and saves the two hounds from certain capture. Is grandma and girl the family they are looking for or will they realise they are more than just friends?

You can tell the style of storytelling from the quoted text and the names. It is not quite a graphic novel but much of the humour and action is conveyed through the illustrations which are essential on every page. This is the kind of story that will appeal to emerging readers who like broad humour, lots of fast-paced action and simple characterisation. It’s safe and predictable and won’t challenge any little grey cells but who says a book can’t just be a fun read? Themes celebrating friendship and family give some depth to this enjoyable lighthearted frolic which will certainly entertain its readers and hopefully develop a love of reading.

Larrikin House 2024

Adam Wallace