In this absurd and comical story for readers in grades 2-5, Lowry brings back the characters from “The Willoughbys” (2008).  Two catastrophic situations happen simultaneously in the world.    In the United States, Congress bans candy and in the Swiss Alps a couple, who were frozen for 30 years, thaw out (thanks to global warming).  The couple is Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby who had traveled to the Swiss Alps in the first book.  They are now faced with missing out on 30 years of complaining about their children, being displaced and strangers to all the technological advances.   Tim, the oldest of the Willoughby’s children, is a Millionaire candy maker who is faced with being poor since candy is banned.  His son, Richie, doesn’t want for anything (ordering everything on Google), is lonely.  Their next door neighbors, aptly named Poore, are so destitute that they reuse tea bags, Band-Aids and have never had candy. Winnifred and Winston (a Win-Win situation), the Poore children, hire themselves out as Richie’s companions.  In a few missteps and unlikely situations the characters converge and everyone’s perspectives and living situations are changed.  The chapters are short 2-3 page gems that flesh out the darkly comical, Dahl-esque story line that fans of the first book will enjoy.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library