Doofuzz Dudes Reviews

Buzz Words magazine April 2009

YOUNGER READERS - The Doofuzz Dudes series by Roslyn J Motter (White Hawk Publishing)
Reviewer: Jenny Mounfield

This lively series begins with, The Doofuzz Dudes Rescue Moondar. It’s Toby Doofuzz’s birthday and he, his brother Huon and friends, Tom and William discover a buried treasure chest. But rather than containing treasure, the chest is filled with sand, and right at the bottom, a crown and a spell book. Toby soon learns that he is the new king of Moondar and is destined to save the city from the barbaric Dreezles. And so begins a series of adventures that, to date, fill the pages of six books.

The Doofuzz Dudes and the Space Spiders is the sixth instalment in the boys’ adventures. Once more the Doofuzz Dudes are called on to save the day. This time they help the king and queen of Lundarah who’ve signed away all their water rights to a greedy money-lender. But before they can do this, they must first deal with their bullying nemesis, Howard Soured’s theft of Toby’s spell book, face fearsome galactic toll collectors and battle attacking Eye-Pods and giant space spiders!

Self-published authors often cop a bad rap – and sometimes deservedly so – but I was pleasantly surprised by this series. The cover art is well-designed and eye-catching, ditto the internal illustrations, and the stories are fast-paced and well-edited. There are shades of Roald Dahl and Emily Rodda’s Deltora Quest here; fans of these books are bound to love the Doofuzz Dudes. In addition to writing with imagination and humour, Motter manages to deliver pertinent messages regarding environmental issues without being preachy. Each book contains a Helpful Dictionary, a list of characters and creatures and even the Dudes’ favourite pancake recipe.

For more on The Doofuzz Dudes series, including information on where the books can be purchased visit: www.doofuzzdudes.com Also included on the site are: a kids’ club, audio excerpts and competitions.

Jenny Mounfield is the author of two junior novels: Storm Born (Koala Books), and The Black Bandit (Lothian). Her first YA novel, The Ice-cream Man (Ford Street Publishing), was published in 2008.

Check out what Charlotte's Library - the influential children's book blog - has to say about the Doofuzz Dudes:
Review 1

Review 2

The Doofuzz Dudes Rescue Moondar is a cute little story that has all the elements to entertain seven to ten year old kids. It's a nice mixture of reality (bullies and coughs and getting wet in the rain) with the kind of fantasy children will get lost in. Toby's ninth birthday party is spoiled by an attack from a nasty gang, but then the magic starts. Using delightful and amusing devices, Roslyn Motter has the children face challenge after challenge in a make-believe that'll become reality for young readers. The language is light and clear, and just right for the age group.

Although I am WAY past ten years of age, the humour had me chuckling, and I noted something that will slip kids by, although it'll influence them: in this story, Toby always finds a way to use kindness to conquer enemies. This book is the start of a series. I can recommend it to every young reader.

Dr Bob Rich (Psychologist, conservationist and writer)

The K-Zone on Sunday in the Sun Herald featured the Doofuzz Dudes as their Book Review of the Week! Click here to check it out.

"Move over JK Rowling, we have our own fantasy series" so says The Weekend Star Saturday August 11, 2007. Click to view.

"Move over Potter here comes Motter" - so says Julie Huffer of the Hornsby Advocate. Click to view.

The Dufuzz Dudes Club Trilogy - "Cool Books" says the Sunday Territorian. Click to view.

The Doofuzz Dudes books are a "delightful children’s adventure book series" according to the Fremantle Herald. Click to view.

The Doofuzz Dudes Rescue Moondar kept even the Grass Roots Magazine's self-confessed "...jaded middle-aged reviewer entertained to the end". Click to view.

An enthusiastic reader - Isabella - writes "I thought that the book was fantastic!" and "This book is one of the best books I’ve ever read and if I had a list of the books that I liked the best, this would be the 2^nd!". Click to view.

"I don't usually like reading ... but when I started reading the first book in the Doofuzz Dudes series I forgot about all the other things I love doing and kept on reading, not only book one, but books two and three as well." - from a review in School Days for Parents by Ryan duToit aged 10. Click here to read the whole review.