Mr Gum and the Cherry Tree by Andy Stanton

Egmont, 2010. ISBN 978 1 405252188.
This is a nonsensical story about a town called Lamonic Bibber where a cast of unusual characters dwell. Language is made up, song lines are intergrated in the text and some characters aren't what they seem. Mr Gum is the protagonist in these stories and his attempts to divert the lives of the town dwellers is the basis for the stories. In this book he pretends to be an ancient tree dweller and convinces the town folk to give him their most precious item as a token of their devotion. Polly (the happiest nine-year-old you could ever meet) is determined to uncover the true identity of the tree dweller and convince the townsfolk of the deception. It is a fun easy to read book.
Tracy Glover