Anne Fine: The More the Merrier

Although Anne Fine may not be a household name in New Zealand in the same way that J. K. Rowling is, she certainly deserves to be. This British-based author has written over 25 books, including six novels for adults, and has also edited poetry anthologies for children.

She has a very impressive collection of literary awards from around the world and her books have been translated into 26 languages. Fine was the Children's Laureate between 2001 and 2003, and was awarded an OBE in 2003 for services to literature.

In New Zealand and the United States she is probably most famous for her children's book Madame Doubtfire which was turned into a full-length feature film starring Robin Williams, Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan. Other firm favourites with both children and teachers include Goggle Eyes and Flour Babies.

Fine has two new books coming out in time for Christmas. The first of these is called The More The Merrier and it is a hilarious account of a family Christmas celebration that goes seriously wrong. The book opens with the narrator, a boy called Ralph, being banished to his bedroom on Christmas Day.

Ralph then proceeds to explain how he ended up in this less than ideal situation. It seems that this year Ralph's parents are once again hosting Christmas dinner for their eccentric extended family and this means there are 11 extra people staying for three days. On dad's side of the family there is his grandmother, Great-Granny Natasha; his social climbing sister, Aunt Miriam and her dreadful husband, Geoffrey; and their out-of-control twins, Sylvia and Sylvester. On mum's side of the family there is her widowed father; her Great-Aunt Ida; her brother, Uncle Tristram; and her sister, Aunt Susan; together with Susan's husband Digby and their very annoying daughter Titania.

Ralph and his older brother Harry are not very impressed with having to give up their rooms to the visitors, but by the end of Christmas dinner that is the least of their worries.

Great-Granny is a vicious old woman with nothing nice to say about anyone. Great-Aunt Ida keeps imagining that she sees the vicar floating by the window, and Uncle Tristram has a wicked sense of humour that is bound to cause trouble. Poor mum is struggling to cater for everyone, and when the oven door falls off it looks like there is a distinct possibility that it is going to be a cold turkey Christmas.

Ralph's description of the exchange of gifts on Christmas morning is one of the most hilarious sections in this very funny book. While young readers will thoroughly enjoy The More the Merrier, there is no doubt that their many adults will also be amused by this very un-PC Christmas story.

Fine's new book in hardback is called Frozen Billy and it is set in England during Victorian times. It is about a brother and sister, Clarrie and Will, who go to live with their Uncle Len while their parents are away. Len is a ventriloquist in a music hall and his dummy is called Frozen Billy. Clarrie thinks Frozen Billy is very sinister but Will is intrigued by the dummy. Eventually Will becomes part of his uncle's act and Clarrie is convinced that the dummy has somehow bewitched her brother.

It is up to Clarrie to help her brother break free from Len and Billy so that they can be reunited with their parents who have settled in Australia. This book is sure to appeal to children who like stories about the supernatural.


Publisher: Random House

Price: $16.99

Age: 8-12 yrs

Recommended by: Dorothy Vinicombe