Herr og fru Schwindel er akkurat som deg og meg: De bor i et koselig hus (i Teddington), de har jobb (av typen å lage vitser til smellbonboner) og de er glade i en god latter. Bare én liten ting gjør dem annerledes: De er hyener. Det stemmer – de har pels, litt større ører enn vanlig, haler som de dytter ned i buksene sine, og de ler veldig, veldig høyt.

Inntil nå har familien Schwindel greid å holde situasjonen under kontroll, til og med etter at ungene Bob og Betty kom til verden. Men den nysgjerrige naboen herr Hufferson aner ugler (eller hyener, kanskje?) i mosen. En utflukt til den lokale dyrehagen ender i et kupp som er så genialt og vanvittig at hemmeligheten deres kanskje vil bli avslørt. Hva kommer naboene til å tro?

"En bok med fantastisk plot, og illustrasjoner som gnistrer av overskudd. Forfriskende original, og genuint morsom.» (Kirkus, starred review)

"Morsom og smart med en herlig dose skakk humor. Barn vil elske nonsens-skråblikket på vårt moderne liv, og illustrasjonene er kostelige." (The Bookseller)

"Et lykketreff av en bok!" (Telegraph, Best Holiday Reading for Kids)

"Humoren er genial, men under den ligger noe minst like betydningsfullt: Et varmt budskap om toleranse for det som er annerledes. Lesefesten blir ikke mindre av de utrolige illustrasjonene" (Daily Mail)

«Fantastisk slapstick-humor, men også en fortelling om menneskelige ulikheter. Fans av Roald Dahl vil finne mye å glede seg over her.» (School Library Journal)

«Dyrene er blant oss! For en fantastisk bok. Barn vil rulle rundt på gulvet i ren fryd, mens de voksne himler med øynene over den gjenkjennelige, menneskelige dårskap.» (Fay Weldon)

"Denne underholdende fortellingen vil få leserne til å le høyt. Et supert valg for lesevegrere og fans av serier som Kaptein Supertruse." (Booklist)

Kirkus; starred review: "Meet the Bolds: Fred, Amelia, and their children, Bobby and Betty; as nice a suburban family of hyenas posing as humans as one could ask for, they should rehabilitate the scavenger's tattered, post-Lion King reputation among the younger set. They move to an English suburb, Teddington, which has a comfortable climate; moreover, here, instead of engaging in the hyena dinnertime free-for-all on the savannah, humans line up politely. These pluses aside, the long learning curve tests Fred and Amelia, requiring the utmost ingenuity and adaptability, especially after the pups are born. They're up to the challenge. Shocked to discover water and food aren't free, Fred lands a job writing the silly jokes inserted in Christmas crackers. Hats make good disguises, but how are the pups to hide their tails at school? Certain cherished hyena habits are hard to break (laughing raucously in class, rummaging through garbage, gnawing on chairs). Misanthropic Mr. McNumpty next door becomes suspicious, especially after the family starts visiting the safari park and learns an elderly hyena's in mortal danger. Published first in the U.K., the book's hilarious plot and abundant illustrations make it a top choice for reluctant readers. The art brilliantly reflects the many twists and turns of plot and emotion, among them the Bolds' (mostly) staid suburban home life, their sinister neighbor, and other wild animals—fox, hippo, gazelle—possibly living the human life incognito. Wildly original and very funny. (Animal fantasy. 8-12)”

"The book's hilarious plot and abundant illustrations make it a top choice for reluctant readers. Wildly original and very funny" (Kirkus, starred review)

"Funny and clever with a good dose of yucky humour. Children will appreciate the wry digs at the nonsense of modern living and Roberts' illustrations are an absolute delight." (The Bookseller, Fiona Noble)

"Joyful" (Telegraph, Best Holiday Reading for Kids)

"Although Clary plays up the humour the underlying warm message is of tolerance towards those who are supposedly different from the norm. Glorious black-and-white illustrations add to the mayhem." (Daily Mail)

"Roberts’ manically expressive black and white illustrations capitalize on the unapologetically silly premise... Clary mixes animal fact with imaginative, entertaining fiction." (Publishers Weekly)

"We loved the silliness and laughter that runs throughout, and the illustrations are brilliant. Heaps of fun." (Heat)

"Underscoring the slapstick appeal is a message about understanding others’ differences... Fans of Roald Dahl will find much to appreciate here." (School Library Journal)

"The animals are amongst us! This lovely book will have kids rolling on the floor with mirth while their parents roll their eyes in recognition of human folly." (Fay Weldon)

"This entertaining tale will make readers chortle. A good choice for reluctant readers and fans of Captain Underpants." (Booklist)

"A real treat… David ...