Escape From Hat

Author Adam Kline says his parents taught him quite a few five-dollar words, and he loads up this narrative with them (and maybe even a few ten-dollar ones), which adds to the fun but also introduces the youngest of kids to such satisfying words as "charlatan" and "perspective." Scientifically minded kids will enjoy exploring the sunless world of Hat, and the flora and fauna that thrive there. Not to mention Kline's imaginative invention of the symbiotic relationship between the pigmies and the blue truffles. One interlude finds characters popping in and out of portals, emerging at various points on the globe, and budding geography students will have fun figuring out where they are.

With the exception of a few obvious villains, most of the characters display positive attributes. Both Leek and his human boy, Cecil, are brave, determined, and clever in their efforts to find each other, despite scary challenges; along the way, many new-met friends help them, from Morel the dauntless rabbit warrior princess to the magician who gives Cecil helpful, if mysterious, advice.

There are abundant references, comical rather than prurient, to underwear (Cecil's bad luck often involves getting soaked to his tighty-whities), dog poop (more bad luck), and pee (the villain pees his pants when frightened).