I recently had the opportunity to read the first three books in Tom Smith's "Boss Bandit" series, which follows the adventures of an adorable Shih Tzu puppy. While the illustrations are fantastic and the stories are generally good, there are a few issues parents should be aware of. Please note that this review contains major spoilers.
Starting with some minor complaints:
Each book ends abruptly, and the narrative format quickly becomes repetitive. If your child tends to get attached to certain books, I would not recommend this series. Re-reads are likely to feel tedious.
The biggest issue with the "Boss Bandit" series is the darkness and scary imagery. Each book reveals at the end that Boss Bandit is dreaming, but this revelation is done so quickly and abruptly that it can be jarring. The imagery, especially in book two, could be too intense and triggering for some children.
I don't have children, so to ensure I wasn't being overly sensitive or overthinking things, I sought the opinion of a parent. They agreed and stated that they personally would not recommend the series for children under the age of eight. Ultimately, it will depend on your child's sensitivity and what they can handle. My recommendation is to use caution and make sure to review the books yourself before reading them to your kids or giving them to read on their own.
Rating (and some notes):
Boss Bandit and the Mysterious Hole: ★★★★☆ 4/5 Easily the best in the series thus far.
Boss Bandit and the Hungry Woods: ★★☆☆☆ 2/5 I had the most concern with this one.
Boss Bandit and the Christmas Tree Intruder ★★★☆☆ 3/5 Cute, slightly spooky Christmas tale.
*I was provided free copies of this series. This review was done voluntarily.*
Book and Author Information:
Boss Bandit and the Mysterious Hole: Goodreads, Amazon
Boss Bandit and the Hungry Woods: Goodreads, Amazon
Boss Bandit and the Christmas Tree Intruder: Goodreads, Amazon
Anastasiya Benzel (illustrator): Goodreads
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