Grandpappy’s Corner: Jibberjack, Fibberjack by Stefanie Gamarra, Marta Pilosio (Illustrator): A ‘Meddling Kid’ in the Making

Jibberjack, Fibberjack

by Stefanie Gamarra, Marta Pilosio (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Marshmallow Tree Press
Publication Date: April 28, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 32 pg.
Read Date: February 2, 2026

What’s Jibberjack, Fibberjack About?

Leroy “Encyclopedia” Brown. Inspector Gadget’s niece, Penny. Scooby and his Gang. Flavia de Luce. Jupiter Jones, Bob Andrews, and Pete Crenshaw. Veronica Mars. These are just some of the names of children/teens who have spotted crimes and coverups that adults have missed. It’s time to add one more to that illustrious lineup: Frida Fitzgerald.

When people in her town are frightened by reports of a monster doing nasty things (like trampling flower beds), tensions rise. But someting doesn’t seem right about it all to Frida—so she starts asking questions. When people bother answering, theyir responses don’t help. But too often, her age words against her, and she’s dismissed.

Undaunted, she keeps asking questions about things that don’t make sense. And eventually (I can spoil things vaguely here, right? This book’s audience isn’t reading this space), she’s able to prove her point.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

Pilosio’s art is great, as the samples on this site show.

The illustrations are full of great detail—and while I can’t really point to any humor or jokes, there’s a whimsy to the art that makes you think there’s a joke somewhere. Well, okay—there are a few, but even when there are none.

It just pops off the page in a way that will grab—and keep—the attention of young readers, and has enough character to attract their older reading companions.

How is it to Read Aloud?

It’s nice and straightforward—no rhymes or tongue-twisting words to go through. There’s a lot of opportunity for exaggerated speech and emphases in the dialogue (and parenthetical asides) for the hammier adult to get into.

The story itself is engaging enough to make it easier for adults on their 15th read of the same book to find something to latch onto. With enough clues and fun things in the images to talk about as well.

And that’s before the last couple of pages that give some things to talk to a child about, lessons to walk away from, and so on.

Basically, there’s meat for the involved adult reader.

So, what did I think about Jibberjack, Fibberjack?

I found the idea of a whodunit for the 4-8 age range intriguing, even if I wondered how well it could be pulled off. Gamarra nailed it.

I had fun, I can easily see reading this with the grandcritters several times and having enjoyable chats about asking questions, thinking about what they’re told, and wondering why someone might want them scared. In today’s media landscape, it’s never too early to start that.

And you might as well have fun while you’re at it.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the Author via BookSirens in exchange for this post and my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.