The alliterative, occasionally rhyming sentences that ambush the reader from the very first page of Toronto author Richard Thake’s novel are a little like the fire-breathing bats that beset the titular character in the Evil Weevil Woods: potentially alarming, but ultimately serving a purpose.

When 10-year-old Sir Seth and his friend Sir Ollie, the Mighty Knights of Right and Honour, are asked to retrieve Sir Shawn Shrood’s magical shoes, they find themselves caught up in the fantastical world of High Dudgeon, a very gloomy, mysterious place where friend and foe are hard to distinguish. While there’s little doubt our heroes will emerge victorious, Thake has filled his tale with such fun, campy creatures – such as elephant ants and chicken poxhawks – that readers will enjoy simply finding out what lies around each new corner.

Sir Seth, which is based on the author’s own imaginative childhood adventures, was written for boys struggling to develop language skills. This is a book that’s meant to be read aloud, and even parents will find themselves laughing as they trip over its tongue-twisting language.

For children who will ultimately graduate to heavier fantasy literature, Sir Seth is a good introduction to the genre – it even includes the requisite map of Thatchwych and the Kingdom of High Dudgeon. Throughout the book, black-and-white illustrations by Vince Chui provide playful depictions of some of the story’s creatures.

If alliteration and good-humoured adventure are what you seek, look no further than this book.