Stuffed by Liz Braswell

Stuffed by Liz Braswell

Realistic Fiction, Some Fantasy Elements

age- 9-11

grades 4-6

244 pages, hardcover

c. 2019

From the very first day the sun rose over the world there have been shadows,

For where there is Light, there is always Darkness.

Humans and their friends always play in the Light of the sun.

But there are monsters who lurk in the Darkness waiting to grab them.

What follows is one tale in the eternal war against the Dark.

It is the story of a small boy, and his even smaller guardian.

So, by the grace of the Velveteen, our story begins.

            Do you believe stuffed animals are only for very little kids or sissies? Clark and his friends know better. So, begins Stuffed. Clark is almost 11 and his Mother and the bullies at school think he is too old to be still playing with stuffed animals. Every night Clark strategically positions his army of stuffed animals around his bed. Sometimes in the morning they seemed to have moved and some of them look as if they have been in a fight. Even more alarming, after a package arrives from his grandmother containing things from his Dad’s childhood, there seems to be more darkness in the house, especially in his parent’s room. His Dad is getting weaker and weaker and it looks like there are little fang marks around his neck. Clark is convinced that an evil monster is attacking his Dad and when he meets D. A., a boy his age who also plays with stuffed animals, his thoughts are confirmed. D. A. knows even more about stuffies and monsters than Clark. He explains the MPF, Monster Protection Factor, of each of Clark’s animals according to the point values given for each attack feature, fangs, horns, claws, teeth, size, etc. Being handmade and loved adds extra points.

            Things take a dramatic turn for the worse for his Dad when Clark’s Mother makes him go to a sleep-away camp and, while away, places all his stuffed animals in a big garbage bag in the basement. Fortunately, while at camp Clark meets more kids who understand how the battle between stuffies and monsters work. He comes home prepared to save his Dad. Without his army of stuffies he is greatly handicapped. However, his grandmother presented him with a small, handmade sock animal as he was leaving for camp named Foon. The last and final battle will take place between the powerful, shadowy monster called a King Derker and the recently made Foon.

              This is truly a fun read and the author includes detailed directions and pictures of how to make your own stuffies. The last part of the book is told from Foon’s perspective. He may be small and newly made but his heart and courage are big. A classic tale of the ongoing fight between good and evil and the importance of friendship, loyalty and courage. Highly recommended.