The Problim Children

January 15, 2018
Seven gifted Problim siblings, each born on a different day of the week, offer an irreverent and delightful twist on the “Monday’s Child” nursery rhyme in this series launch from Lloyd (The Key to Extraordinary). Among them are 13-year-old gardener Sal, a hardworking “Saturday’s child” who grows everything from people-trapping “Wrangling Ivy” to seeping fog; rambunctious “Friday’s child” Friday, who wears a fox costume and speaks in rhyme; and baby Toot, who communicates via different types of flatulence (defined in footnotes). After the children’s home in the Swampy Woods unexpectedly explodes—“Explosions are nature’s way of telling us to start over,” says ever-cheerful 16-year-old Sundae Problim—the siblings relocate to their grandfather’s mansion in the town of Lost Grove, where they become embroiled in a longstanding feud with the villainous Desdemona O’pinion. Family secrets and a fear of the other drive Lloyd’s plot, and the children’s varied talents and humorous antics will leave readers eager to dive into their future exploits. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House.

June 1, 2019

Gr 3-6-The Problims are back! In this installment, the perfect seven pick up right where they left off: searching for the pieces of a fabled water witch hidden by their grandfather, which are supposedly the key to something amazing. Mona Problim leads the pack as she and her family try to win an array of contests in the town's Corndog Carnival in order to gain entry to the Pirate Caves, where they suspect their missing mother may be stranded. Mona shines as she figures out (not always gracefully) that everyone has unique value-even her worst enemies. Though new readers may be won over, fans of the first book will most appreciate the backstory revealed in this second volume as they learn of hidden treasure, family feuds, and lost loves. The cast doesn't differ much from in the first installment; the Problims are white, their friend Violet is allergic to air and has severe restrictions on her activities, and most ancillary characters are only briefly described. VERDICT A charming sequel; purchase where the first is popular and where readers enjoy familial magic.-Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2019
Grades 3-6 Lloyd's quirky gang of seven siblings returns in a new mystery soaked in doughnut frosting, an old family feud, pageantry, noxious toots, and hidden treasure. The Problim children are diligently following clues their grandfather left hidden with segments of a water witcher that, once assembled, will lead them to a fountain of youth, which, consequently, is also the fount of eternal loathing between the Problims and their neighbors, the O'Pinions. On top of this cryptic treasure hunt, Mama Problim has disappeared while adventuring, and her cadre of kids is determined to bring her home. Mona is the Wednesday Addams of the Problim children, and the narrative unfolds from her amusingly dark perspective. Lloyd revels in the story's zaniness, bolstering it with heart and enough complexity to ensure readers are invested. Amid the annual Corn Dog Carnival, Mona and her siblings scheme to locate their mother and uncover family secrets in the process. The appearance of a new villain, Cheese Breath, and cliff-hanger ending signal more shenanigans to come?and readers will have no problem with that.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

Starred review from April 15, 2019
In the second of the series, the seven zany, quasi-magical Problim children have two prime mysteries to untangle. To solve both, family go-getter Mona spearheads a dual campaign to find a "treasure beyond measure" and to find missing Mama Problim. The book easily stands alone, deftly filling in readers on the first book's adventures. Desdemona O'Pinion is still lurking about, trying to separate the close-knit siblings, but she is not the focus. Mona, whose pretty face belies her predilection for practical jokes and all things dangerous or creepy, drives the fast-paced plot. Each sibling's individual quirk is complemented by a talent or skill that enables the child to participate in one of the contests at the annual Lost Cove Corn Dog Carnival. They must win the contests to earn a trip to the usually off-limit Pirates' Caverns, which may harbor both Grandpa's treasure and their mother. Lloyd hits her stride as she weaves--as intricately as Mona's beloved circus spiders--plot twists, humor, suspense, rivalry, hints of romance for the older Problims, and realistic development of Mona's character. Mona's special game with her father is a lovely, original touch: They slip each other notes expressing affection in terms of animal groupings ("I like you more than a leap of leopards"). The Problims are white; several characters display different kinds of disabilities. Readers will be undaunted by loose ends; that means more adventures to come! (Fantasy. 8-12)

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