ANNOTATION

While trying to recover from their accidental underwater adventure, Andrew, his cousin Judy, and Thudd the robot are swallowed by a blue whale, the world's largest creature.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

After escaping an underwater volcano, Andrew, Judy, and Thudd drive their submersible vehicle, the Water Bug, right down a whale's throat!

This is the second in a four-book set that will take the kids on a tour of undersea phenomena, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Mariana Trench to the inside of a whale, as they try to find their way home.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Judy Crowder

Cheese Louise! Jumping Gerbils! Queen Isabella on a jelly doughnut! Young readers don't remember the old cliff hanger movie serials, but they can get the same chills and thrills from this innovative series about Andrew, his cousin, Judy, his tiny companion robot, Thudd, and their adventures in the Water Bug, a Volkswagen adapted by scientist Uncle Al for underwater exploration. As we join our young heroes, they are trying to save the ocean's giant squids from the villain, Soggy Bob Sloggins, who is opening a theme park, Squid World, and advertising squid burgers. As in all good serials, they get sidetracked—swallowed by a whale. This adventure is a great opportunity for Thudd to educate Andrew, Judy and the reader about whale anatomy, behavior, habitat, etc. Just as they exit the cetacean, via whale poop—Blufoooweee!—and things are looking up, along comes Soggy Bob and his sidekick, a robotic parrot named Burp, in the Crab-Mobile! Andrew and Judy no sooner dispense with Bob's nefarious deeds when they run into a gray wall—a sperm whale. Neato Mosquito! Will the brave duo escape being whale snacks? Will they be foiled again by Soggy Bob? Will they ever get to join Uncle Al in Hawaii or save a giant squid? Does the rest of the series have charming black and white illustrations by Mike Reed? Tune in next book—Andrew Lost on the Reef. The reader gets a sneak peek at the next story, plus whale facts and suggested readings from Thudd before the book is really over. Wowzers schnauzers! Short chapter books for beginning readers are always welcome; this one, part of a whole set of Andrew adventures, is a great read with some conservation education slipped in. 2003,Random House, Ages 4 to 8.