Heeeeeee hee hee! That's a hyena laughing, in case you were wondering. I loved this. Clary is a natural children's story-writer, and doesn't try too hard to make himself funny, instead putting the humour directly into the situation and characters, making it an entertaining read.

I've had lots of requests for this since mentioning it to library customers, and my book group (ages 7-10) think it's a winner. I'm included to agree.

A pair of hyenas hijack a human couple's passports and clothes (after an unfortunate incident with a crocodile) and take over their lives back in England. Money, mortgages, jobs and shopping at first confuse them, but the new Fred and Amelia Bold manage to fit in and even raise a family.

But what would happen if their true selves were ever known? And what if they feel homesick for Africa?

This is marvellously readable, and very funny. From the first pages, seeing hyenas dress as humans, I was sold. Riotously silly as it is, Clary makes the Bolds a very endearing family just trying to live their lives in the suburbs.

We have a nefarious neighbour who suspects, but most of the story focuses o the family's adventures at overcoming their instincts and trying to be seen as human and accepted.

I loved all the Bold family members, as well as Roberts' cheeky illustrations of them (and Mr Bold's regular cracker jokes - part of his job). The ending leaves the way open for further adventures (one of which is already published), and I can see Clary becoming a huge name in children's publishing.

I can only hope he has more ideas for stories up his sleeve!

This could be read with a child of 5 and above, and read solo from around 7.