Unbelievably joyful, absurdly charming and intensely loveable. I can think of quite a few people who's lives would be improved by the appearance of an angel in their pocket.

Bert Brown is a tired school bus driver who's burned out on his job. When he starts feeling chest pains behind the wheel one day, he's sure he's having a heart attack - but no! - there's a little angel in his pocket! The sweet little angel shows a liking for gumdrops, offered by one of the kids on the school bus who notices the little visitor, and Bert brings the angel home to his wife, Betty, who's thrilled. They name the angel Angelino and Betty sets to work finding foods that he likes, and making clothes for him. Betty decides that Angelino needs to be in school, and since she's the school cook, he tags along with her for a school day, where he enchants (most of) the teachers and students around him, particularly the expressive art teacher, Ms. Monteverdi. Everyone is just happier, better, when Angelino is around, but two shadowy figures are keeping an eye on Angelino. When the time is right, they kidnap him, hoping to sell him off; what even they don't realize is Basher, a lifetime bully, is coming for Angelino, too. Can Bert, Betty, and Angelino's schoolmates save the day?

This story just made me feel happy inside, and not in a goofy, syrupy way. Angelino appears into the lives of a married couple who've been going through the motions for a long time, bringing joy to them after a tragedy of their own seems to have had a hand in closing them off. Everything he touches is filled with good and happiness - he's an angel, complete with little wings, and happy little farts (my kids do love a good fart joke) that will give readers the giggles. The baddies here aren't completely bad - there's some interesting character study here for all involved - and the humor takes some amusing pot-shots at the Seriousness of the Education System, which is always good for getting a laugh out of me. Angelino has no memory of who he is and indeed, must learn how to speak, read, and write, but he's up to the challenge and even advocates for himself when the chips are down. Black and white illustrations throughout add to the fun.

This one is a win for summer reading kids who "don't know what to reeeeaaaaaad". A gentle, sweet fantasy with just a hint of flatulence. The Tale of Angelino Brown has starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher's Weekly.

Generally speaking, I find Almond's writing too weird, representational, and generally dark. This one bucks that trend. Firstly, it skews a little younger, though it will land with older audiences as well. This story has messages about the state of modern schools and how perception affects behavior. Can be read and enjoyed several times.

David Almond is one of my favourite authors. When I was a children's librarian and story teller in schools, I always made sure his books were on our library shelves, and take the greatest pleasure in recommending him to readers, young and old alike. Every time one of his books comes out I have to read it, and each time I read a new book by him, I decide it's his best. The Tale of Angelino Brown is joyous, celebratory, wise and beautiful. It moved me, and made me cry and made me smile and I loved it so much I'm buying a hard copy for my daughter's nineteenth birthday next month.

How many of us can remember an ill-tempered bus driver from our school days - or even not that long ago : but did we ever stop to think they may not always have been like that? Or the reasons behind the change? People aren't always really how they appear to be (or at least most of them - there are a few exceptions in this story!) But for most there is hope, if they are given a chance.
Full of unexpected twists & turns, and I never would have guessed the ending...

The word that comes to mind when I think about this book is "cute." The Tale of Angelino Brown is a delightfully cute story that is filled with silly humor and an uplifting atmosphere. Even with the villains in the story, there's a sense that they're not really villains, just people who have made some mistakes and who can be straightened out again. Nothing's particularly scary, and this tale brings home the message that if people are loved and cared for, everything will turn out alright.

There are a few wonderfully ridiculous elements in this story that I think kids will absolutely love. The first, of course, is the appearance of Angelino. He's a small angel who farts a lot, and who appears in a bus driver's pocket. The bus driver, Bert, is kind of a cranky individual, but with Angelino's presence, he becomes pleasant and jocular. He and his wife, Betty, immediately adopt Angelino as their own and care for him. The other silly element is the acting Head Teacher in the school. I loved this. She tries to be super important and professional, and the children see right through her; they try not to have much to do with her and instead gravitate towards the warm, accepting art teacher.

The tension comes from "villains" who are trying to capture Angelino and sell him for a profit. However, as we get to know them (and as Angelino sees), they're not quite villains and really just need a bit of structure and love in their life. I like that it shows this in a kids book--for something that's rather a simple concept, it's not shown enough in fiction, I think. People aren't just evil, kids aren't just bad, it doesn't start and end there. I liked that Bert and Betty understand that and make it their mission to give their support and love to kids who need it. In the end, even the acting Head Teacher realizes that she's going about things the wrong way, calms down, and starts being more accepting rather than being ridiculously strict.

The illustrations are lovely and match with the lighthearted tone of the story; they portray fun moments in the story and have an element of whimsy and silliness to them that I enjoyed. 

Overall, this story was a joy to read. It's based in Britain, so there may be some cultural elements or language that is unfamiliar to American readers, but I don't think it'll be a huge issue, because the humor and message is universal. I definitely recommend this for readers who need an uplifting story and love a bit of silliness in their books.

While this book was cute, I found myself putting it down much to often to say that I really liked it. I think the biggest problem was that I didn't really feel drawn to the characters in the story and didn't care much what happened. Except for the man in black, I probably would not have finished the book, but I kept reading despite the book being fairly predictable. That being said, I can see where this would appeal much more to children. There are minor little things, like a farting angel, that they'd probably find hilarious that just didn't make me laugh. This book seems to rely on that. While the story sounds unique, it's barely different than others and was quite predictable. Apart from crude jokes (if you find those offensive), it's a very kid-friendly read. Yes, it's cute. It's just not one I'd read again.

I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderfully sweet little book. Angelino is one of the most charming characters I've read in quite some time - even his little farts when he's excited. Kids will fall in love with him and this fun story.

'Skellig' through the eyes of Raymond Briggs, perhaps, as a curmudgeonly old bus driver finds a tiny wee angel in his shirt pocket. Unfortunately he and his sweet wife are too open about its existence – not content with telling friends, she parades it around the school where she works. And someone is not quite open about snatching the angel, but he's there and he won't be dissuaded… The problem with this book is that it doesn't know who its lead characters are – Ethel and Ernest are either dominant or then absent, at times it's the children that first befriend the angel that seem to be leads – and all the while, Angelino is deprived of agency, stuck as he is with just two catchphrases and a propensity to fart. If it weren't for the clues that his rapid growth might be building to A Lesson for someone the book would be quite empty. And it doesn't get much better or coherent by the end – you think the key location is the couple's home, but no – it's somewhere quite different. It's not awful, and has lashings of whimsy and levity, but it's by no means a standout read.

A warm and witty tale from a master storyteller, author of Carnegie Medal-winning Skellig and internationally bestseller The Boy Who Swam with PiranhasBert and Betty Brown have got themselves a little angel. Bert found him in his top pocket when he was driving his bus.Bert and Betty's friends think he's lovely. So do Nancy and Jack and Alice from Class 5K. What a wonder!
A hilarious, sometimes wacky story about a maybe a fragile angel, who has come to a middle age couple to enlighten their lives. A story about friendship, beliefs, bullying, and loneliness. How sometimes, we still need to believe that bad guys are "bad" for a reason and school can be so much meaningful when children are exposed more to Art, feelings, and life. Though the story is not alike, it reminds me of "The Little Prince" in a certain good sense. By the way, gorgeous and whimsical illustrations by Alex T. Smith.
Thank you Candlewick to let me read this ARC. and looking forward to adding this jewel to my classroom library. Published February 26th. 2018.

4.5★
“Of course I am Professor Smellie! I am a Professor at the Grand and Ancient University of Blithering-on-the-Fen. I have seven Honorary Doctorates and I am a Fellow of —”

This will give you an idea of the tone of the book, something kids will get a kick out of reading. Angelino is a tiny, pocket-sized angel who farts. Yes, farts. That alone will get quite few giggles from young readers.

He appears one day in the school bus driver’s shirt pocket and is quickly adopted by him and his wife and the kids. The other teachers, except for the wonderful art teacher, who is a truly free spirit, can’t stand to have this little distraction in their midst.

Bert and Betty (the driver and his wife) have their own reason for welcoming this little chap, and she’s a school cook who loves filling the kids up with custard and yummy foods.

[My Goodreads review includes a picture of Betty in the school kitchen with Angelino.]

Betty goes to the church to look at a statue of an angel and asks the local priest what angels look like.

“The priest tugs at the white collar around his neck. He lowers his voice. ‘To be honest, Betty, we aren't really believing in things like angels and monsters. Not these days.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, really. We're more into the modern type of thing.’
‘The modern type of thing?’
‘Yes, Betty. Like getting the guitars out, and the church website, that kind of thing.’

A farting noise comes from the shopping bag. Betty coughs. Father Coogan frowns, then shrugs.
‘Well, I could stand here nattering all day,’ he says, ‘but parish business calls, I'm afraid.’
‘That's OK.’
.‘Would you like me to pray for you, Betty?’
‘Pray for what?’
For your health,’ he says. ‘Your contentment. Your happiness.’
She laughs. ‘What an idea!’ she says. ‘I'm fit as a flea, content as a cow and happy as a horse!’
‘Excellent!’ he says. ‘Then I'll say farewell.’”

But all is not sunshine and roses. A couple of baddies can see a marketing opportunity if they can only catch the angel and sell him.

Their efforts are very amusing and then they get a bit dangerous for Angelino and the kids.

The illustrations are absolutely perfect! Cartoonish sketches with great, intricate detail for some characters and huge, overpowering shadows for the ‘monsters’ who are trying to sell an angel to the highest bidder. The police are called to investigate.

[My Goodreads review includes a picture of two police investigators.]

I enjoyed this very much, and it’s divided into 40+ very short chapters with the writing in pretty narrow columns that make it easy to read. The story is cute and the illustrations by Alex T Smith are terrific. They really make the book that much more appealing.

Thanks to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted to give you an idea of the style and vocabulary.

I should note, if it's not obvious from the review, that this is British, not American, and the language may be unfamiliar to American readers. But they should broaden their horizons and enjoy this!

Niceness

You never quite know what you're going to get with David Almond, and I was a bit on edge when starting this book because I expected/feared it might take a dark, or at least very sad, turn at some point. Not to worry. This is a subtle, kind, and exceptionally good humoured tale about the transformative power of innocence, and the worth of something as simple as "niceness". It has its darker moments, but only to allow contrast with the light.

As the book opens, a tiny angel appears in Bert's pocket as Bert is driving his bus. After getting over the fear that the feeling in his chest is a heart attack, Bert is charmed and delighted by this tiny creature. He takes "Angelino" home and he and his wife Betty become doting and proud parents of this tiny package. Angelino is cheerful, mild, innocent, and farts when he's happy. After a few days he goes to school with Betty, (a school cook), and goes on the bus route with Bert, and charms everyone he meets. A running theme/joke/point of the story is that everyone finds Angelino, what he says and does, what he "is", to be "nice" and lovely. And that niceness affects everyone.

That may not sound like much. Sure, there's a slightly threatening Acting Head Teacher, and some dense school administrators and vaguely ineffective police officers, and some sort of villain who briefly kidnaps Angelino, and a bully to be dealt with, but apart from those diversions there is little in the way of a linear "action" plot as such. There is a bit of history in Bert and Betty's past that adds depth and feeling to the whole story, but you can see that coming and it adds a bitter-sweet flavor to the story. Mostly, we just follow Angelino as he leaves a trail of grace and comfort in his wake. Along the way we meet a number of people who are charmed and delighted and brightened up a bit by Angelino. (The brilliant illustrations by Alex Smith perfectly capture this mood of easy and uncomplicated joy.) By the end, the children who want to grow up a bit, do, and the adults who need to get in touch with their inner children, do.

Is this a meditation on the joys of parenting, the innocence of children, childhood lost and found, the power of love, the beauty of the circle of life? Maybe. But you don't have to go there if you don't want to because Angelino doesn't have to explain or defend or justify his existence. He is, and that ends up being quite enough.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

The Tale of Angelino Brown is a charming middle grade book that narrates about how a little angel just suddenly appeared in the lives of the Browns and of the people of St. Mungo’s School. Although it is meant for children aged 12 and below, I found myself engrossed in the story and on the characters. Angelino is a little darling; hence a lot of people were immediately drawn to him. However, the unexpected appearance of that tiny angel has also caught the attention of those who have wicked plans to capture him.

This children’s book will enchant kids as well as older readers because of its fascinating and endearing story. It is a delightful and short read with moral lessons about friendship, forgiveness, and kindness that kids will learn after reading.