Random Acts of Fun

In this 19th Tom Gates graphic novel, our hero Tom has broken his ankle and is recovering at home. The very first page tells readers what Tom will be concentrating on during his recovery: “I like having FUN.” He is determined to have fun – even while he has to stay home with his foot propped up on the couch. As Tom contemplates his injury, he reveals that he chipped his ankle buying caramel donuts at the new bakery. He also remembers that he was doing his Show and Tell in Mr. Fullerman’s 5G class that day.

Although Tom may be lying on the couch, he is always in action. He is doodling in his notebook, planning to draw something on his plaster cast, observing what is going on in his neighbourhood, and remembering how he broke his leg. He composes “The real story of how I fractured my ankle by Tom Gates (a very brave person.)” He misses his friends and desperately wants to try the caramel donuts from the bakery. His time at home is punctuated by visits from his family (his grandparents, his cousins, his sister Delia), Bright (the son of his father’s business associate), and his friends. Once Tom is more mobile, he even goes to visit the nursing home with his grandparents

Tom Gates may be accident prone and distracted by donuts, but his irrepressible personality and good nature shine through each page. He feels guilty that he has taken Delia’s poster to school without asking her. When he owns up to his mistake, he experiences a pleasant surprise from his sister. He finds it hard to deal with Bright, the son of his father’s business associate, but he will not betray Bright’s misbehavior to his father. In the end, Tom’s empathy is rewarded. He is also kind and considerate to the inhabitants of the Leafy Green Old Folks’ Home.

Random Acts of Fun once again captures the spirit of Tom Gates through its vignettes about Tom’s recovery and the dynamic word art. Tom is recovering at home, but he never stops doodling and expressing his love of “fun” through his drawings. He even writes a song entitled, “Random Acts of Fun.” There are doodles about his crisps, his love of donuts, his cast, his neighbours, and his relatives. As usual, Liz Pichon includes activities for readers, such as “How to Make a Foil Cup”. Tom’s time at home addresses a wide variety of themes: recovery, boredom, imagination, family relationships, kindness, doodling, and creativity. Young readers will definitely enjoy Tom’s story because “FUN is coming your way.” (p. 175)