Terrific

Eugene finds out he has won an all-expenses-paid trip to Bermuda. His reaction? “Terrific. I’ll probably get a nasty sunburn.” While Eugene is on the ship, they run into a terrible storm and the ship sinks. “Terrific.” Eugene is sure he will be eaten by sharks, but instead he washes up on a deserted island. “Terrific.” Although Eugene thinks he will be eaten by a warthog, he is all alone…except for a parrot, stuck there because his wing is broken. The only food on the island is pomegranates, something Eugene doesn’t like. “Terrific.” When Eugene wakes up, the parrot has a Terrific surprise for him.

John Agee has a wicked sense of humor and brings it in aces to this funny picture book. Not many picture books have an adult protagonist, but this one has such a Gloomy Gus of a main character that children will be engaged and laughing about this story and this character. Listeners will be guessing what else could go wrong, but Agee continually surprises his readers with this fun and charming story.