Funny, light story reminiscent of Adrian Mole. 7.45am Saturday 1st of December: My mother tells me that at three minutes to four o’clock this afternoon; I will have lived in this world for EXACTLY eleven years. “Oh, my goodness, you were such a cute baby,” she sighs, then reaches out a hand and ruffles my hair, “I wonder what went wrong.”
Spend the day with Ozzie and his family in this funny, clever and well-paced story. Guaranteed to have both children and adults chuckling, this junior fiction title is aimed at seven to twelve year olds.
Ozzie (in his own wayward way) is a positive character, in the respect he has to overcome obstacles without the help of magic – i.e. he has to use his brains. With help from sister Holly, mate Fletch and dog Snoops, Ozzie might drive his mother into a state of maternal exasperation, and father to paternal confusion, but happily everything always turns out fine and dandy in the end.
New Zealand writer Val Bird spent her childhood years in Hastings but she currently lives in Whakatane. She is the winner of three nationwide short story competitions and the author of Wednesday’s Child — Val’s story of the twelve years she spent caring for her intellectually handicapped brother. She works as a columnist for the Bay Weekend.
Illustrated by the author’s daughter Rebecca Cundy — a highly successful graphic artist — it is lavishly illustrated with charming line illustrations.
A Birthday in the Life of Ozzie Kingsford is book one of an Ozzie series – with book two: ‘Five (and a bit) Days in the Life of Ozzie Kingsford’ being released in October – and book three: ‘An Electrifying New Year in the Life of Ozzie Kingsford’ earlyish next year
Reviews for Ozzie Kingsford:
‘It draws you in so you don’t want to put it down. I loved the continuous happenings and the end.” Kalilea, aged 9
“A really, really good book. You could imagine it all in your head like a movie. Funny, crazy and really cool.” Rishika, aged 10.
“I like this book because it was funny especially when Holly threw up…I think both boys and girls would like this book.” Sasha, aged 6
“A very enjoyable book and not boring at all!” Sophie, aged 8
‘This is a funny book because Ozzie Kingsford and his family reminded me of me and my family. It was a book that my dad and I enjoyed reading together because we could BOTH relate to the story. I really really liked it and want to get the book when it is published!’ Aidan,aged 8
11 Comments
A Birthday in the Life of Ozzie Kingsford is an excellent book. I sat and read this book and then read it to my son, who is 5. He loved it as well.I would recommend this book and I look forward to the next one in the series. Absolutely Brilliant!Val Bird has another book which is an excellent read as well. It is called “Wednesday’s Child”. Inspired by the life of the author’s intellectually handicapped brother, Ronald Downes, this novel is Ronnie talking about some important fings. It’s also about needing all the lookings-after he can be gitting, as we travel with this innocent abroad through an increasingly complex world.Entertaining, sad, funny, thought-provoking – this is a look at life through the eyes of an exceptional man.
Ozzie Kingsford is a laugh a page that all the family will enjoy – there no user-magic in this book…Ozzie and his mate Fletch have to solve their problems using pure intelligence while Mother Kingsford suffers doses of exasperation – a Birdie told me there’s more Ozzie books in the pipleline, so I suggest you read, chuckle and enthuse.
just imagine have a Birthday in the Life of Ozzie Kingsford. this is an excellent book. my kids loved this book .
I loved this book and found it very funny. It will make you laugh as well as keep you guessing what is going to happen next. Lots of surprises around each corner. The story is about a kids birthday that goes wrong. Ozzy is 11 and he goes to the beach for his birthday – will things go according to plan or will Snoops the dog wish he stayed at home. Can Ozzie save the day or is misfortune around every corner. I am looking forward to the next book. (Reviewed by Quentin, aged 10)
My daughter loves this book especially when Holly throws up. Its full and laughter and worth reading toyour children. Ozzie might drive his mother into a state of maternal exasperation but worth it.
This book is entertaining has sad moments and funny too. I son loved reading this book and it was given to him as a birthday present.
We found this book very funny and enjoyable to read. I have re-read aloud twice to my step kids when they visit us and they love it.
Such a great book. I had a quick browse at it when out shopping the other day.
I would recommend this book and I look forward to the next one in the series.
found this book very entertaining and very hard to put down to do much. I enjoyed reading this book
A Birthday in the Life of Ozzie Kingsford is an excellent book. I sat and read this book and then read it to my son, who is 5. He loved it as well.