Product Description

When Pablo discovers he can predict the future through the cartoons he draws, he can hardly believe his luck. But what seems to be a brilliant discovery soon turns into a terrible burden, as Pablo's secret is uncovered by the wrong kind of people. Kidnapped and in a foreign country, with only a cartoon character for company – will Pablo be able to use his gift to escape?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #436333 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
Fiona Dunbar spent much of her childhood secretly drawing cartoon stories in her bedroom, though none of her characters actually came to life. Her first job was drawing storyboards for TV advertisements, after which she became a freelance illustrator. As her head was filling up with stories, she had no choice but to spill them onto the page in the form of picture books, followed by the enchanting and critically acclaimed Lulu Baker Trilogy. Fiona lives in London with her husband and two children. Toonhead is her fourth novel for children.

Customer Reviews

Crazy madcap fun!
Pablo has a really unusual family - but that's not always a good thing, as Pablo knows. His parents are artists and are convinced their son will be too, if only he can 'unblock his juice box'. Unfortunately for them, Pablo's talent turns out to be something slightly less Damien Hirst and slightly more Jim Davis - he can draw cartoons.

Only somehow, Pablo's cartoons predict the future. Don't ask him how - I mean, did he ask for this? But before too long (and it does all happen very quickly) Pablo realises he hasn't been very discreet about his new clairvoyant talent, and he's kidnapped and bundled off to Spain, where some nasty men want him to predict the winners of horse races.

My favourite bits of the story were when Pablo's cartoons (which are included in the book) started to come true - I liked trying to guess what the cartoons were going to mean. I also loved the narrative voice - Pablo isn't stupid but he's endearingly naive, and towards the end you know he's in trouble when he starts talking to his favourite cartoon character, which pops up offering sage advice whilst munching on various bits of food.

Needless to say, this is not a serious book at all (unless you want to read something into it about parents allowing their children to develop their own talents) and is mad, silly, escapist fun. And what's wrong with that?

If you loved the racing Minis in The Italian Job, the humour in this book will definitely appeal to you. Kids will love it.

Picasso fun
Toonhead is about seeing into the future. Whatever you do as parents, don't name your son Pablo, unless you're Spanish. The Pablo in Toonhead has artist parents with a fondness for Picasso. Twelve-year-old Pablo is more into cartoons, once he discovers them. The book's cover is a dazzling blue and red with a Picasso-ish flavour.
Pablo can see the future, which seems quite good, until it turns out to be quite bad. He has a nice and amusing way with words. I really enjoyed Toonhead, and I'm glad to have discovered a new (to me) author.

A treat
Toonhead is funny, quirky and lively.
My ten-year old and I thoroughly enjoyed following the young narrator's adventure after he's kidnapped by a bunch of colourful crooks.

The writing itself fizzes with imagination. Take, for instance, "Cornelius is sprawling, in jeans wide as an elephant's backside, jeans so lazy that they only remember to separate into legs when they get to the knee section, and can't be bothered to cover up Cornelius' underwear." This book is a treat.