18,000 Holes in the Universe: Snack Attack by Adam Wallace, Lisa Foley, and illustrated by James Hart

Title: 18,000 Holes in the Universe: Snack Attack

Author: Adam Wallace, Lisa Foley, and illustrated by James Hart

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: HarperCollins Australia

Published: 30^th October 2024

Format: Paperback

Pages: 192

Price: $15.99

Synopsis: A brand-new and hilarious illustrated series for children aged 7+ from the creators of the bestselling Fartboy series!

Noah, Jordie and their GOLF Squad friends are still trying to rescue Grandpa Galileo. And now the most incredible golf course in the universe is threatening to swallow THEM whole!

Will they be squished by giant cabbages?
Will they be turned into huge hand-burgers?
Will anyone survive this snacktacular quest?

There’s only bun way to find out …

But BEWARE!

If you keep reading, YOU might get sucked into THE MOST INCREDIBLE GOLF COURSE IN THE UNIVERSE too …

A hilarious golfing fantasy adventure by the creators of Fartboy!

~*~

Imagine if you lived near the most incredible golf course in the universe! One that has 18,000 holes that lead to different worlds. Come along and meet the GOLF Squad – Noah, Jordie, Marco, Mags and Felicity, and their dog, Bruno. They’ve been trying to rescue Grandpa Galileo, who has been sucked into the golf course somewhere – a golf course that is threatening to swallow them. But they’re also trying to stop Great-Uncle GOOF turning their magical golf course into a plain hotel. This time, they’re sucked into hole 4, 321, and into a world of snacks. Snacks that are trying to eat them or squish them, and filled with puns and buns, food and threats, as well as jelly monsters!

Jordie and his friends are in for the adventure of their lives – again in this fun and magical golf adventure. They’re on a quest to save the golf course, but to do so, they have to find Grandpa Galileo – who keeps going missing. Making their way through the worlds means hitting certain pars in various holes, navigating all sorts of obstacles – like gooey marshmallows, a rotten food eating jelly monster, food puns, or running from hamburgers. These holes are filled with whimsy and adventure, as threats abound and try to stop the GOLF Squad, or at least make it harder for them to find Grandpa Galileo. A magical golf course is fun – it’s something that brings the sport to life, and shows us how powerful imagination can be.  For many, golf may not be that interesting, but throw in a ridiculous number of holes that take you to magical worlds, and things can change in an instant, and you will find yourself swept away.

Coming into this with the second book was interesting – I felt like I could get into the story, but at the same time, it did feel like one of those stories where each book follows on from the other. We are given enough information to read without having read the first book as well. It’s still a lot of fun, because I think it brings something that kids may not usually be drawn to will really enjoy. It’s funny, punny, and filled with friendship and magic. It’s a brilliantly joyous novel that will engage kids in the wild adventure, an adventure that is out of this world. Literally.

Sporting books and books that involve sports are quite popular at the moment, particularly if they involve sports stars from national teams and popular sports. I enjoyed this take on sports and golf, because I think it makes it accessible and enjoyable for readers who may not enjoy sport. Readers who might not be interested in the Sam Kerr or Mackenzie Arnold or any other sports star who has been involved in books might be drawn to this book and series. It’s not as serious about it – it might refer to certain golfing terms, but it also makes things funny and interesting. It means that if we have books like this, books that involve sports stars and books that cover other things, that there will be books for everyone, from graphic novels, to illustrated novels, all the way up to adult novels. It is books like this that can draw children into a world of reading, and show them how all their favourite things can be a part of their reading world.

So, come along on this snacktacular quest to find a missing grandpa – somewhere in 18, 000 holes across the universe. And let’s get going to find out who is trying to keep Grandpa Galileo from his wonderfully magic golf course.