Beyond the Deepwoods (Edge Chronicles), by Chris Riddell

A wonderful, exciting romp. DS1 read it, and we bought the audiobook for DS2. Both boys were thoroughly caught up in the story, and couldn't wait to read/hear more each night. We want our own Banderbear!

This book is brilliant and i would recommend it to everyone...unless you have a daugter who likes mushy stuff only.
It is funny, sad, scary (but not nightmare-wet-your-pants-and-run-away scary), but above all FAST! If you have a child who is impatient to get into the story and doesn't want to spend time on wishy washy descriptive bits (although it doesn't lack in description either), this is the book to buy. And probably the sequels too.
It's kind of fantasy-adventure, with a bit of technology (sky-ships) thrown in in some places. Wood-trolls, banderbears, evil trees that eat people, that sort of thing. Good wholesome stuff.