Illustrations – Jules Faber
While Miss Franklin is busy channeling her inner Kate Winslet circa 1997, Weir’s class will be getting to know a substitute teacher. It’s good timing, too, because Weir’s basketball team, the Lions, are about to play against the Hyenas and they need all the help they can get. Fortunately, Weir’s new substitute teacher has a thing or two to teach the team.
Meanwhile, Granddad is having a difficult time.
Of course, there were the requisite dad jokes and others that travelled so far in the direction of bad that they became groan funny. My favourite basketball joke was:
Why do basketballers like cookies?
Because they can dunk them!
The Do’s visited somewhere Nelson from Ninja Kid spends a lot of his time. Weir’s dad lends a hand in his own unique way, which also had me wondering if I was going to get to see Nelson’s Grandma. While my anticipated Ninja Kid crossover never happened, I want to believe Nelson, Kenny and Grandma were there, just off the edge of the page.
Be on the lookout for a shark who’s very happy about its potential meal, lots of dribbling and Jedi Weir.
Bonus points for the positive disability representation.
Once Upon a Blurb
LET’S GO, LIONS!
Weir and his basketball team REALLY want to WIN! But Bella and Henry’s ALLEY-OOP is more of an ALLY-OOPS! Toby’s DUNK is more of a CLUNK! And Weir’s free throw is more of an OH NO!
Can their new teacher Miss Carroll help out?
It won’t be easy … but it will be funny!
Schizanthus Nerd 