BookBunnies

Marshmallow reviews Mr. Distinctive by Olga Tokarczuk

Today Marshmallow is reviewing a neat book which looks like a standard picture book for young readers but should likely be classified as something different: maybe a picture book for not-so-young readers. Mr. Distinctive was originally written in Polish by Olga Tokarczuk, illustrated by Joanna Concejo, and published in 2023. The English translation by Antonia Lloyd-Jones was published in 2025.

Marshmallow reviews Mr. Distinctive, written in Polish by Olga Tokarczuk, illustrated by Joanna Concejo, and translated into English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. — Marshmallow reviews *Mr. Distinctive*, written in Polish by Olga Tokarczuk, illustrated by Joanna Concejo, and translated into English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books with beautiful artwork or books that make you reevaluate the way all of society is set up, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Mr. Distinctive is a rather beautiful individual. His facial features are all unique and striking such that his smile instantly wins over any individual who sees it. He is gregarious, sociable, and one of the most popular people in his neighborhood.

Unfortunately, he is a little bit narcissistic. This mainly manifests itself through his tendency of taking an excessive number of selfies. Once he gets his first phone as an adult (it is to be presumed that he grew up in a time without them), he snaps photos everywhere—of course, with himself in the center of the screen.

Eventually, he notices that his features begin to blur more and more every time he takes and posts another photo. Eventually, things get to the point where his entire face is nothing more than a smudge of what used to be his perfect, distinctive face. Seeking to restore his beauty and uniqueness, he purchases a new face from a shady dealer for an extraordinary price he can barely afford. With his new face, he is once again perfect, yet the ending is still heartbreaking.

Marshmallow is reading Mr. Distinctive, written in Polish by Olga Tokarczuk, illustrated by Joanna Concejo, and translated into English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. — Marshmallow is reading *Mr. Distinctive*, written in Polish by Olga Tokarczuk, illustrated by Joanna Concejo, and translated into English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones.

Marshmallow’s Review: The book begins with a series of pages filled with highly-detailed drawings of photos (presumably from Mr. Distinctive’s childhood). The book then begins, with some sparse text sprinkled throughout. Each page has beautiful illustrations that show a window into Mr. Distinctive’s world. In almost every aspect, it is the same as ours. Except that you can literally purchase a new face. I suppose plastic surgery achieves the same effect though.

To me, this book conveyed a very poignant, relevant message about the death of individuality in the modern world. Photo after photo, post after post, Mr. Distinctive showcases himself to the world online but loses himself in the process, forgetting to be distinctive in the real world.

SPOILER ALERT: At the end, he finds out that the new face he purchased in desperation is the same as everyone else around him. I believe this represents the idea that—as a result of social media—everyone begins to lose their own distinctiveness in favor of the creation of a duplication of everyone else. I found this to be deeply saddening, but I think the message is unfortunately true.

The photos (mostly Polaroids and physical photographs) from before the start of the text show what his life was when it was untouched by digital influences like social media. They show his youth in bright colors, each frame filled with bright smiles. Afterwards, the photos are much darker and more mature in a muted way which shows the transition from his previous, unedited life to a more manipulated, artificial world.

I think this message is relevant to many given the expansive effects of social media on almost every person in the world. Reading this book makes you reconsider the value of social media and losing your authentic self and your authentic life versus the superficial validation to be gained from posting picture after picture to get “likes”.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Mr. Distinctive, written in Polish by Olga Tokarczuk, illustrated by Joanna Concejo, and translated into English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Mr. Distinctive*, written in Polish by Olga Tokarczuk, illustrated by Joanna Concejo, and translated into English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones 100%.

Caramel reviews Spy School Goes East by Stuart Gibbs

Both little book bunnies are Stuart Gibbs fans. Caramel in particular has read and reviewed every single book in his Spy School series. So as you can expect, he was thrilled to learn that the fourteenth book in the series just came out last week! Below is his review of Spy School Goes East. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we get to talk about a brand new Spy School book!

Caramel: Yep, and I am happy to say I really liked it. So in this book they go east. And they have already gone north and south. So maybe they’ll go west next time!

S: Yeah, I wonder where “west” could be. Remind us where “north” and “south” were? And where is “east”?

C: So the events happened in Mexico in the south book, and the north book is about Alaska and Russia. And in this book, the story is taking place in China, specifically in a fictional place in China, it’s called Space City, but it also contains a few places that are real: Shanghai, the Great Wall, and the Gobi Desert. It also contains several non-existent companies, such as Sky-tech.

S: Cool! I also saw a map of sorts in the inside of the book.

C: Yes, there are in fact interesting things like that in this book. In the back there is also, I think, a journal or rather a travel log.

S: Is it supposed to be Ben Ripley’s travel log?

C: No, it is the author himself, who is explaining how he got the ideas for the places and the plot. He actually went to China to see what he was writing about. And that’s cool.

S: Agreed!

Caramel is reading Spy School Goes East by Stuart Gibbs. — Caramel is reading *Spy School Goes East* by Stuart Gibbs.

S: Okay, so tell us about the main story. Why is Spy School going to China?

C: So, in the previous book Spy School Blackout, the team were trying to figure out the worldwide blackouts. Then it turned out that their ‘friend’ Orion was in fact the guy behind it all, and they solved that mystery and saved the planet. But then they also learned that Erica Hale’s parents and grandparents had gone missing in China, where Orion had sent them, so now in this book, they go there to get them back.

S: Oh I see. And they meet a lot of new people, some friendly and some evil, I am assuming?

C: Yep, and we also meet a recurring character (I love those), Jessica Shang who first showed up in Spy Ski School, the daughter of the guy who tried to nuke Colorado. You might recall that she is also daughter of the lady who tried to destroy the Panama Canal (in Spy School at Sea), and the niece of the guy who tried to sell Ben into slavery (in Spy School Goes Wild).

S: Oh my! Her whole family is full of Ben’s enemies. But I seem to recall you had told us before that Jessica herself is actually quite nice. And she kind of likes Ben?

C: Yeah they are friends, and apparently Erica is Ben’s girlfriend now.

S: Oh, I see. But nothing mushy going on, right?

C: No, no mushiness. Erica and Ben are just partners solving mysteries and world problems together.

S: Cool. Okay, so did you enjoy this book?

C: Yes, I did. Very much. It was funny, and had some cool plot lines and hooks, as well as references to the other books in the series. Gotta love consistency among an author’s works! Tui Sutherland in Wings of Fire does this really well, too. Hint hint.

S: You will definitely get another one of those books in the coming months! But there may yet be another Spy School book as well. As you suggested, I am expecting a “going west” story some time.

C: Me too. And I’m assuming it will also be good.

S: And when it does come out, I am sure you will review it.

C: Yes I will!

S: Okay, Caramel, this is probably a good time to wrap up this review.

C: Yep, this is a school night after all…

S: Okay, what do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Spy School Goes East by Stuart Gibbs and was thrilled to share his thoughts on it with the readers of the book bunnies blog. — Caramel loved reading *Spy School Goes East* by Stuart Gibbs and was thrilled to share his thoughts on it with the readers of the book bunnies blog.

Marshmallow reviews Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Marshmallow began her reviews for the book bunnies blog with Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling. Since then she has reviewed many books about the Harry Potter story universe. She has also reviewed all five volumes of the series illustrated by Jim Kay: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The project was put on hold when Kay dropped out in 2022, but the illustrated edition of the sixth volume is finally out this month. So here is Marshmallow’s review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Levi Pinfold.

Marshmallow reviews Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Levi Pinfold. — Marshmallow reviews *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*, written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Levi Pinfold.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you liked the original Harry Potter series, or if you are fascinate by magic, or if you just enjoy beautifully illustrated books, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Harry Potter may be the main character here, but the book starts in the office of the British Prime Minister. He’s sitting rather uncomfortably after dealing with a rather disastrous week when the painting on his wall announces that the Minister of Magic will be promptly paying him a visit. This is a rather unpleasant surprise for him as all of their previous meetings have been regarding bad news — something he does not need more of at the moment.

Indeed, the Minister of Magic (Cornelius Fudge) does bear bad news. Deatheaters, the loyal followers of You-Know-Who, have been wreaking havoc across the country and their destruction has become so visible that even Muggles (non-magical people) have noticed it. All of the Prime Minister’s problems rest squarely on the shoulders of Deatheaters.

It is with this conversation that J.K. Rowling re-captures the reader into the Wizarding World and the underlying tension of the times remains potent throughout the remainder of the book. When Harry first makes his appearance, we learn that Dumbledore will be visiting him to deliver him early to the Weasley Burrow (the odd but comfortable home of his best friend Ron). It is already peculiar for the headmaster of Hogwarts to spend so much time with a student, but the particular circumstances make it clear that it is not just for a nice tea chat. Dumbledore has plans for Harry; unfortunately, he is not 100% transparent about them.

Likewise, we learn early on that He Who Must Not Be Named (a.k.a. The Dark Lord or Lord Voldemort) has plans for Draco Malfoy, the son of the now-scorned Deatheater Lucius Malfoy. Again, the reader is left to guess at what these plans are. But one thing seems certain: Severus Snape (a professor at Hogwarts whom Dumbledore blindly trusts) is still secretly working for Voldemort.

As the term at Hogwarts begins, suspicion and danger are tangibly in the air at all times. With the Ministry of Magic on high alert and people uncertain of who to trust, Harry must navigate yet another year at Hogwarts that will be undoubtedly unsafe.

Marshmallow is reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Levi Pinfold. — Marshmallow is reading *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*, written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Levi Pinfold.

Marshmallow’s Review: I loved reading this version of the Half-Blood Prince! I had really missed this series, and diving back into the books with this illustrated edition made coming back to them even more enjoyable. From the very first page, the very first time you open the book, you immediately sense that this is going to be a magical story.

Of course, I’m clearly a very biased Harry Potter fan. But having the added ability to see the story as it progresses on each page makes the experience even better. J.K. Rowling’s writing is one thing that I do not think is very controversial; it is very crisp and entertaining, sharp yet smooth.

I felt very nostalgic throughout the first couple chapters but the imagery made it also feel like a new version. The drawings are beautiful!! They tend to be darker due to the overall environment and energy of the book. But they draw you in. Each page has some sort of color, whether it’s just a simple background or a sketch that makes you wonder how on earth Pinfold managed to draw it. I would say I’m a pretty open-minded Harry Potter fan, but these illustrations are pretty loyal to the text. Yet, they do add another dimension to everything by expanding on the detail, filling in the blanks. J.K. Rowling’s writing is rather descriptive but even she sometimes leaves somethings to the imagination. Likewise, the drawings do the same. They have a somewhat blurry feeling about them. They are very detailed — make no mistake — but they are drawn in a watercolor-like style that is very light and heavy at the same time. I am not sure how to fully describe it, but the color palette is also very attractive and appropriate for the text.

I particularly liked the image on the cover with the bright orangey-yellow flames and the contrasting teal (it is later featured on page 367 too!) On page 414-415, there is also a beautiful spread of the Hogwarts castle with Hagrid in front attending a memorial (I will not spoil who it is for). The drawing is intricately done with all the stone faces and carvings drawn out in detail. The hoops of the Quidditch field are even included on the left!!

As you can tell, I am a huge Harry Potter fan. But you don’t need to be in order to appreciate what a work of art this book is. Combining J.K. Rowling’s uncontested writing skills with Levi Pinfold’s artistic prowess was a fantastic idea and I am so grateful that this book was made. I feel very nostalgic now, but this book reminds me that new things like it can be beautiful as well.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 110%!

Marshmallow rates Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Levi Pinfold, 110%. — Marshmallow rates *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*, written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Levi Pinfold, 110%.

Caramel reviews Game of Pets Book 1: The Boy Who Knew Too Much by Aaron Blabey

Caramel enjoyed Aaron Blabey’s The Bad Guys series and has reviewed the first three books in it: The Bad Guys, The Bad Guys in Mission Unpluckable, and The Bad Guys in the Furball Strikes Back. Today he is reviewing the first book of a new series by Blabey: Game of Pets: The Boy Who Knew Too Much, which was published just last week! As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about a brand new book from an author you have really enjoyed before.

Caramel: Yep, we are, Aaron Blabey is the person who created The Bad Guys books. And I really enjoyed those.

S: This is a different kind of book though. Those are almost like graphic novels, more or less, right? This one is more like a regular chapter book.

C: Yes, this seems to have more words, but not that much more.

S: Hmm, apparently there have been a total of twenty Bad Guys books; we only reviewed three of them. But now this one is the first book of a totally new series. Can you tell us a bit about it?

C: Yeah, sure. The book starts out like a game show, with an announcer saying it is called the Game of Pets, where a bunch of competitors are in control of millions of animals on earth, such as cats, dogs and other ‘pets’. By controlling the pets the competitors’ goal is to make their humans destroy their homes and as much of the planet Earth as possible.

S: Okay, that sounds weird. But please go on.

C: Yeah. So then it cuts to a child, a boy named Griff, who is allergic to everything, except fish and scaled creatures, but he’s scared of those.

S: Okay, I am guessing he will get a pet nonetheless.

C: Yes, he does! He finds an axolotl named Bob in the back of a pet store, and he for some reason really likes it.

S: You really like axolotls too, no?

C: Yeah, I even reviewed a little book named Max, A Little Axolot.

S: So you can sympathize with Griff.

C: A bit, yes. Anyways, it turns out that this axolotl isn’t a part of the Game of Pets, and he wants to save the world, and so he chose Griff to save the Earth with him.

Caramel is reading Game of Pets Book 1: The Boy Who Knew Too Much by Aaron Blabey. — Caramel is reading *Game of Pets Book 1: The Boy Who Knew Too Much* by Aaron Blabey.

S: Hmm, from what you told me, Griff does not seem like a great savior, but we read a lot of other books with unlikely heroes.

C: Yeah, definitely. Ben Ripley in the Spy School series, for example, is kind of like that. He is not athletic at all, and kind of clumsy. But he is extremely intelligent. Griff is also like this. And now that I think of it, Artemis Fowl is also kind of like that. So yes, a lot of heroes who are kind of weak but figure out things and solve problems and save the world and such. Hmm.

S: I think authors of books using this kind of hero try to give kids hope that even if you are not the strongest or the fastest kid, you can still make a difference. But of course the moral of the story is not the point. The point is the books are also a lot of fun. At least Artemis Fowl and Spy School books were very much so. Did you like this book too?

C: This is just the first book, so I am not sure yet if I will like it as much as those other series. But it is also pretty good. Definitely very funny and weird.

S: So when you told me about a game show which uses pets and humans on our planet, I thought of the other book series you are reading and reviewing for the book bunnies blog. The Dungeon Crawler Carl series also has a galactic game show, and outsiders are just watching poor humans struggle for their own pleasure.

C: Yeah, I can see the parallel. But of course the Carl books have a lot more pages, and they have only a couple pictures in them. The Game of Pets book is a lot more visual. Lots of pictures on each page.

S: Which makes them more appropriate for and appealing to younger bunnies of course.

C: Of course. The Carl books are not so appropriate for very young bunnies. This book, on the other hand, is written for us kiddos. I guess if you are a young bunny who might be scared of the idea of aliens trying to use pets to destroy the planet, maybe it is not a good book for you. But otherwise it is a funny book and fun to read.

S: I saw the very last page says “To be continued…” Does that mean it ends in a cliffhanger?

C: Kind of. The main events of the book are kind of explained and resolved but the epilogue introduces a new problem. And it involves an axolotl!

S: Hmm, so you just might have to read the next book.

C: Yep, I just might.

S: We will see, Caramel. For now, I think this is a good place to wrap up this review.

C: Sure.

S: What do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Game of Pets Book 1: The Boy Who Knew Too Much by Aaron Blabey and is eager to read the second book in the series. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Game of Pets Book 1: The Boy Who Knew Too Much* by Aaron Blabey and is eager to read the second book in the series.