Archer and Zowie

By: Hans Bluedorn

Narrated by: Martin Reeve

After a science experiment in the kitchen goes very wrong, Archer and Zowie are surprised to find that the microwave-oven now:

• Can order sandwiches from the deli.
• Can squash the entire universe to the size of a bean in less than a second.
• Wants to kill them.

Over the course of the day, Archer and Zowie will encounter deep space, angry babysitters, teleporting microwave ovens, big penguin aliens, and even the author of this book.

They can only expect the unexpected.

©2018 Hans Witness Bluedorn (P)2019 Hans Witness Bluedorn

Silly kids story

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another. I’m curious what else he’d do. It took me a bit to get into the book, but I like how the children’s imagination has been turned into such a fantastical tale. Penguin aliens, microwave travelling machine, space bugs, crash landing on a distant plant.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Martin Reeve ) and I would listen to another. He does well narrating this book. I think it would be an enjoyable lesson for kids and hold their attention. He does not over-express things like some children narrators tend to do. His narration style is such he is telling the story not just reading a book.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Fun intergalactic listen for pre-teens to adults!

Archer and Zowie by Hans Bluedorn is, simply put, a super fun, entertaining story targeted for the pre-teen to early teen ages, though I'd venture to say that everyone in the family will enjoy it. Archer and Zowie go on a crazy fun filled intergalactic adventure from the comfort of the backyard. They meet all sorts of characters along the way including my personal favorite, Patina, who is all about finding food. While making sure their babysitter Marcy is busy and sidetracked back on Earth, the kids take their spaceship, along with their blasters and teleportee along for a wild ride. I really enjoyed the use of Archer and Zowie's imagination to go on their grand adventure and loved the educational aspects that were in the story as well. I didn't feel that the educational aspects were forced or reiterated too much, as another reviewer had mentioned. I'd definitely recommend this and can't wait for my son to listen to this!

Martin Reeve did a fabulous job narrating Archer and Zowie. The different voices that he used for Archer, Zowie and the various creatures that they encounter, as well as fun sound effects, really brought the story to life. Really top notch. Though if you don't enjoy British narrators, you may want to listen to a sample before you purchase. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

Did you find this review helpful? If so, would you please take a moment and select the 'helpful' button below? Thanks so much!

Very enjoyable book

I have an eight year old who enjoyed listening to this. He liked the adventure and the characters. :) (His words.)

Such a creative way to learn about space!

This is a fantastic (and fantastical) story of two very creative (and intelligent) children. I have never been a big science fiction fan myself, but my kids love it - and they loved this book. Ages 13, 11, and 9, they laughed at the ridiculousness of several situations, giggled at the puns, learned some new "science" vocabulary, and were safely exposed to deep space from the comfort of our living room couch...but shh, don't tell them. It even kept my attention - on the tips of my toes, all the while waiting to find out just how upset the babysitter (and mother) might be over the modified teleportee!

I was impressed by this short novel. The British narrator's dry rendition was perfect for the storyline - simple, yet eloquent. How such a young hero can know so much about physics and space was beyond us, but the main character Archer was a brain. His counterpart, Zowie, was all things practical and whimsical. Their personalities reminded me of more than a few children I have know. The story was thoughtful, humorous, energetic, and fun. I would recommend it for any family looking for something with smattering of "educational insights" and a generous helping of youthful delight.

a review from our 11-year-old daughter...

Ruth Ann says:

Archer and Zowie are best friends, BUT they don’t always get along with each other.

Archer is the better thinker of the two, but Zowie can ask more questions. They are both rather curious about new things as they travel through space. So hop onto their treehouse/space ship and get ready to explore another planet as they fight off penguin aliens and learn the hans’ weakness/strength.

This book is really silly. That’s why I like it. Mr. Bluedorn is great!!

A very good book, review by ten-year-old E.S.

“Archer and Zowie” is a funny, creative, and imaginative story. It combines space, friendship, and the microwave into a story about adventure.

My favorite part is when Archer and Zowie get hungry and find some nuts laying on the ground. They crack them and eat a bunch. Then Zowie places a cracked nut before Archer, and it walks away! The nuts have legs! Archer and Zowie are so grossed out.

In this book I learned that friendship has no bounds, and that sometimes even best, best friends can fight and argue. Also, in the face of danger only true friends will stay by your side and fight. False friends will run away and desert you.

There was a part I didn’t like, though. Archer and Zowie were not very respectful to God. Zowie talked about God peeing when it rains. I don’t think that’s a good way to think of God. I still thought it was a very good book, however.

Whimsical, entertaining, and educational!

This is a very funny book to listen to! It was a little strange in the beginning and difficult to get into, but if you just keep going, your whole family will enjoy it!

My favorite part as an adult listener is all the interesting ‘fun facts’ that are tied into the story. And they are everywhere! You come away from this book not just entertained, but with real information. That’s probably the best way for anyone to learn—by listening to a story. You’re having so much fun, you don’t realize you are learning.

I’m happy this story isn’t just a silly tale about a brother and sister on a wild space adventure. You will come away with information you probably didn’t have before.

Imaginative fun

This is different from our usual car ride diet of Adventures in Odyssey because the story is all about 2 friends and their imaginative play. It’s interesting, fast moving action that involves alien penguins. Note that there are a few uses of “stupid” and a few bodily functions references.
Overall, a fun listen for kids ages 7 to 14.

Engaging fun!

My 9 year old daughter loves this audio book! We also have the kindle version. Very entertaining "thinking" fun book. We have listened and read over and over. The characters have given many giggles & are memorable. We hope the author turns it into a series.

Well done!

Creative, interesting, and entertaining, yet with a lesson on friendship that we all need to learn again and again, I’d recommend this book! I’m still contemplating what was ‘really’ happening as these two played their game and what the backyard looked like that they were playing in, ha! This book is original and fun and, yet, had us on the edge of our seats to see how it would end. The narrator did an excellent job. Well done!