Uncle Shawn and Bill and the Almost Entirely Unplanned Adventure

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The first book in a hilarious, heart-warming series for children from Costa Award-winning author A. L. Kennedy, illustrated by Gemma Correll.Badger Bill needs rescuing. He's been kidnapped by two nasty sisters who are about to make him fight a boxing match against three even nastier dogs.The four most depressed llamas in the history of llamas need rescuing too. They are about to be turned into llama pies.But never fear - Uncle Shawn is here! He loves rescuing things. He has a rescuing plan, which involves dancing, and a mole, and an electric fence. What could possibly go wrong?

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Booklist Review

Kennedy's madcap yarn has something of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox about it. It kicks off with the abduction of Badger Bill by two horrible sisters, Ethel and Maud McGloone, who have even more horrible plans for the noble animal namely, making him fight fierce dogs (while wearing unflattering shorts!) and then making him into a pie. Elsewhere on the McGloone farm, four llamas also destined for pies stand beneath rain clouds regretting their decision to visit Scotland. Fortunately, an odd, happy-go-lucky individual by the name of Uncle Shawn catches sight of the miserable llamas and evidence of Bill's badgernapping, and he decides to help the poor creatures. Uncle Shawn cooks up a half-baked plan and enthusiastically rallies other animals to help him carry it out. The ensuing pandemonium not only gives the nasty McGloones their comeuppance but opens doors to new beginnings. Correll's frequent cartoon line drawings showcase many of the story's absurdities, giving them hilarious labels and captions to boot. Vaguely sinister and overtly ridiculous, it's a riot of a read for those looking for an off-kilter adventure.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2018 Booklist