Hercufleas

Gr 3–6—The village of Tumber is plagued by an ogre who appears every new moon, ripping the roofs off houses and snacking on the townsfolk within. The adults, with the exception of the wise (and slightly witchy) teacher, are of no use. Greta, a sad, determined girl whose parents were among the ogre's first victims, steals the last of the town's gold and makes her way to the storefront of Happily Ever Afters, hoping to hire a hero who can help where many others have failed. It so happens that the proprietor of Happily Ever Afters employs a family of fleas to act as typists. Hercufleas, an insect with an instinct for adventure, is disappointed to learn that his fleamily does not take a more active role in the hero work. He takes advantage of a moment's distraction, hops onto Greta's shoulder, and is off to save the day. The book is full of wordplay, and the main action compensates for a slow start and rather thin premise. Greta and Hercufleas travel across icy wastes and through an enchanted forest ("the woodn't") in search of the ultimate weapon. Eventually, they return to unite the villagers in their own defense. The story occasionally takes a turn for the gross: our hero finds himself lodged in another character's nostril twice, and the flavor and properties of different animals' blood are explored in depth. The conclusion suggests that the journey makes the hero, not his stature or the strength of his weapon. Gayton also emphasizes the power of collective action and the critical importance of believing in the possibility of change.