Fred on the Ice Floes

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Powell,
Ohio.

Fred and his beloved cat, Rick, manage to survive the most extreme
adventures imaginable in these two new First Novels. Fred’s dad takes
them ice fishing in Fred on the Ice Floes, and to make it more
interesting, Fred pretends that they are ancient Inuit hunters on Hudson
Bay. They have a wonderful time until Fred’s father leaves to get more
supplies, and Fred is left alone on the ice that has broken away from
the shore. Fred’s imagination becomes a source of strength that sees
him through this life-threatening situation.

A weekend at a farm to celebrate Halloween has disastrous consequences
in Fred’s Halloween Adventure. Mr. Marshall has grown a pumpkin large
enough to be Cinderella’s carriage, but just before the parade is to
begin, Cinderella comes down with chicken pox. Fred gallantly agrees to
take her place and rides in the horse-drawn pumpkin. Along the way a
fanatic movie producer spooks the horses and there is a terrible crash.
Fred’s legs, an arm, and his pelvis are broken. But Fred is told not
to worry: the producer will pay for any medical costs that Fred’s
insurance doesn’t cover. And Mr. Marshall will grow another pumpkin,
which will appear in a movie. The selfish and irresponsible behavior of
the adults in this story is very disturbing.

These chapter books share the qualities of the First Novels series that
make them appealing to beginning readers. They have a mature paperback
style, with accessible language and lots of lively illustrations. Fred
is an endearing character with an energetic imagination whose dramatic
adventures make for compelling reading. Fred on the Ice Floes is
recommended, but Fred’s Halloween Adventure is not a first-choice
purchase.