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Unbelievable!
Nine stories deal with rejuvenation, a giant tooth, a dragon, a ghostly test, a loyal dog, a comic book hero, a magic tree, a ghost gull, and a supernatural servant
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
29 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Paul Jennings
279 books360 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.
After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).
In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.
Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).
Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.
After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).
In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.
Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 7, 2011
03/12/2011 - just received a copy via readitswapit! So excited to read these again :)
Thoughts as of 06/12/2011 -
Pink Bow Tie - aha, the "Age Rager" which can make people become older or younger. Very short (or perhaps I just haven't read a PJ short story in a while?) but also very Paul Jennings. Love it.
One Shot Toothpaste - ew, the giant, fusty tooth and the creepy guy who terrorised all the animals by brushing their teeth! Delightfully weird.
There's No Such Thing - it's Paul Jennings, of COURSE there is such a thing! The one where Grandpa is in the nursing home and his mean nurse doesn't believe in dragons. Until...
Inside Out - the ghost who eventually passes his exam ;) Maybe a bit too much left to the imagination here...
The Busker (made me cry, if I am thinking of the correct one - the dog?) - YES OH GOD YES IT STILL MADE ME CRY!! Poor little Tiny, worshipping the Busker despite all he did and then giving her live to keep him alive *bawls* I was a wreck for an hour or so last night. Hmph.
Souperman - I was never a fan of this one, I guess since I was never a comic book/Superman sort of kid. In which "Souperman" gets his strength from tinned soup. Amusing but still not a favourite, though the ending is fun.
The Gum Leaf War (favourite!) - yep, still one of my most favourites :) I love the idea so much and the Round the Twist episode is still so wonderfully vivid in my mind!
Birdscrap - one of THE most disgusting stories ever :P All that seagull poo is just gross... my mum hated this RTT episode XD
Snookle - I love this one :D I wish it was longer, but the narrator gets tired of (and then gets the better of!) Snookle very fast.
Thoughts as of 06/12/2011 -
Pink Bow Tie - aha, the "Age Rager" which can make people become older or younger. Very short (or perhaps I just haven't read a PJ short story in a while?) but also very Paul Jennings. Love it.
One Shot Toothpaste - ew, the giant, fusty tooth and the creepy guy who terrorised all the animals by brushing their teeth! Delightfully weird.
There's No Such Thing - it's Paul Jennings, of COURSE there is such a thing! The one where Grandpa is in the nursing home and his mean nurse doesn't believe in dragons. Until...
Inside Out - the ghost who eventually passes his exam ;) Maybe a bit too much left to the imagination here...
The Busker (made me cry, if I am thinking of the correct one - the dog?) - YES OH GOD YES IT STILL MADE ME CRY!! Poor little Tiny, worshipping the Busker despite all he did and then giving her live to keep him alive *bawls* I was a wreck for an hour or so last night. Hmph.
Souperman - I was never a fan of this one, I guess since I was never a comic book/Superman sort of kid. In which "Souperman" gets his strength from tinned soup. Amusing but still not a favourite, though the ending is fun.
The Gum Leaf War (favourite!) - yep, still one of my most favourites :) I love the idea so much and the Round the Twist episode is still so wonderfully vivid in my mind!
Birdscrap - one of THE most disgusting stories ever :P All that seagull poo is just gross... my mum hated this RTT episode XD
Snookle - I love this one :D I wish it was longer, but the narrator gets tired of (and then gets the better of!) Snookle very fast.
July 1, 2018
I first read Paul Jennings at the age of 8 or 9 and some of those stories have stuck with me into adulthood. (That one with the gnomes in particular, from Quirky Tales, I believe.) It was interesting to read a collection of his that I'd missed first time round and to be reminded of what it was that I loved about him. The way he presents these outlandish scenarios in such a way that you not only accept them, but totally buy into it, is skillfully done and impressive. So simple on the surface, but difficult to achieve... I picked this up thinking I could read it with my kids, but they're still a little too young (4 & 6) so the twists went a over their heads a bit. There were also a couple of stories that were maybe a little too mature that I'm glad I didn't read with them, which make me wonder what kind of 8-yr-old I was. Regardless of the kids being unreceptive, I'm delighted to have rediscovered Mr Jennings nearly 30 years on and will probably use this as an excuse to work my way through the rest of his oeuvre.
July 31, 2022
Rating: An entertaining collection of funny, amusing or just weird short stories. Absolutely charming.
March 20, 2014
I read 'Pink Bow tie', one of the short stories in 'Unbelievable' by Paul Jennings. It is a story about a teenage boy who gets in trouble with the principle for dying his hair. However, when he explains the truth about his hair and about the 'ice rager', things are about to change! The twist at the end of the story will make you laugh and want to read more! I highly recommend this book for any gender, aged 12 and up. I give this book a four star rating.
September 1, 2021
This book had one of the short stories that has stuck in my head since I was a child; The Busker, it was kind of sad and weird but I still loved it. This book did not disappoint, these stories are so fun and random.
April 5, 2025
I see this one as a step up from Unreal. The only stories I personally don't feel strongly about in this one is 'There's no such thing' and 'Birdscrap'. The former i respect for exploring that fantasy realm of dragons but it didn't captivate me as a kid nor on a revisit as an adult.
"The Busker" is probably the best, a solid fable which is very sad. And "Inside Out" is corny but a solid ending. "One shot toothpaste" always stuck with me as well.
"The Busker" is probably the best, a solid fable which is very sad. And "Inside Out" is corny but a solid ending. "One shot toothpaste" always stuck with me as well.
January 10, 2021
These little stories have such strong power on kids. They’re all What if?s of fantastical proportion. Presented cleanly in very short form. I can remember this first one - ‘Pink Bow Tie’ - I had images of the main character hanging around some bushes having some fun (although that could be the TV show) and that little box and the few magic things it does led 7-year old me to wonder about how I could abuse that power if I had it. I’d be able to live forever. I used to want eternal life, I’ve since grown out of it (mostly). I find it surprising when someone my age or older still sincerely fantasises about long, long life. I’m not saying I don’t wonder...
All of these stories lived so well in my mind. It’s probably my longest owned book of Paul Jennings and therefore my most read. I love remembering those images that remain, it’s cool.
Last time I read ‘Souperman’ it was a little tired and over read but this time round was a blast to read and remember.
The cover of ‘Unbelievable!’ is in my all-time favourite book covers. I was always enamoured with it and ‘Inside Out’ used to be my favourite story, although they all lived very strong in my head. I think it was the VHS sub plot in ‘Inside Out’ that made me relate to it so much back then. It ends as abruptly as my stupid short stories from primary school. That was on par with most of the ‘Unreal!’ stories. Just add a little more suspense to it: “He threw some of the pink powder on me. My eyes just about popped out of my skull and I opened my mouth in shock. ‘Inside out...’ ‘Stop!’ Yelled the senior spook. But no, he kept going. ‘Ker-‘ My scream cut him short, as I fell over I saw the Senior Spook do the same. We both fainted.”
All of these stories lived so well in my mind. It’s probably my longest owned book of Paul Jennings and therefore my most read. I love remembering those images that remain, it’s cool.
Last time I read ‘Souperman’ it was a little tired and over read but this time round was a blast to read and remember.
The cover of ‘Unbelievable!’ is in my all-time favourite book covers. I was always enamoured with it and ‘Inside Out’ used to be my favourite story, although they all lived very strong in my head. I think it was the VHS sub plot in ‘Inside Out’ that made me relate to it so much back then. It ends as abruptly as my stupid short stories from primary school. That was on par with most of the ‘Unreal!’ stories. Just add a little more suspense to it: “He threw some of the pink powder on me. My eyes just about popped out of my skull and I opened my mouth in shock. ‘Inside out...’ ‘Stop!’ Yelled the senior spook. But no, he kept going. ‘Ker-‘ My scream cut him short, as I fell over I saw the Senior Spook do the same. We both fainted.”
April 13, 2019
Best stories of the book: Inside out and The busker.
October 26, 2017
Turning everything back upon itself, Paul Jennings uses humour to deliver some of life’s most whimsical if not important lessons. In particular The Busker covers the strange equation of money and love as somehow measuring each other. In a brief twenty-one pages a lifetime of misunderstanding and misappropriation is turned through 180 degrees, then 360 degrees again to achieve an outcome as endearing as Oscar Wilde’s Little Prince.
Other tales in the book include Inside Out and There’s No Such Thing, with similar structural elements, while One Shot Toothpaste makes full use of the storyteller’s art as example. That the storyteller in the story is not a professional storyteller shows more about Paul Jennings’ skill than his brief reminiscences at the end of the volume. If he has ever told the truth in his life you couldn’t rely upon his word for it.
Thoroughly entertaining for a wide range of ages, Unbelievable surely lives up to its name.
Other tales in the book include Inside Out and There’s No Such Thing, with similar structural elements, while One Shot Toothpaste makes full use of the storyteller’s art as example. That the storyteller in the story is not a professional storyteller shows more about Paul Jennings’ skill than his brief reminiscences at the end of the volume. If he has ever told the truth in his life you couldn’t rely upon his word for it.
Thoroughly entertaining for a wide range of ages, Unbelievable surely lives up to its name.
May 9, 2020
It's May 2020 and today I was sitting in the floor trying to see my face in the wall mounted mirror without having to stand up. I had to tilt my head almost directly up to see my reflection. Suddenly when I was doing this I had the most profound memory from deep within my childhood overcome me.
I suddenly remembered 'the busker' story of the man who was trapped down the well and his neck got stuck looking up. I hadn't thought of Paul Jennings or these stories at all for maybe 5 years but today after i recalled it i sat there in awe for about 20 minutes. I can't even when I remembered when I read these stories but judging by how long it's been since I thought of it wow it's been a while. These stories were awesome and I'm giving the book 5 stars.
I suddenly remembered 'the busker' story of the man who was trapped down the well and his neck got stuck looking up. I hadn't thought of Paul Jennings or these stories at all for maybe 5 years but today after i recalled it i sat there in awe for about 20 minutes. I can't even when I remembered when I read these stories but judging by how long it's been since I thought of it wow it's been a while. These stories were awesome and I'm giving the book 5 stars.
October 14, 2017
For the most part, I loved all of these short story collections from Paul Jennings. I particularly remember one about a tree growing inside a fellow?! Damn this dude came up with some crazy stuff.
They were just such a fabulous collection of bizarre and creepy and I must have read them all a dozen times. Classics of my childhood, these. Kids today unimpressed with this kind of work are jaded children indeed.
They were just such a fabulous collection of bizarre and creepy and I must have read them all a dozen times. Classics of my childhood, these. Kids today unimpressed with this kind of work are jaded children indeed.
July 21, 2020
I loved Paul Jennings when I was a kid, though most of his stories left me grossed out, or sad. However, this collection just isn't doing it for me. Whether it's written for too young of an audience that I can't get into it now (I'm nearly 27), or whether I just don't like his style any more, I'm not sure.
I still have very fond memories of Granddad's Gift, Cowdung Custard, Without My Shirt. However, I'm just not enjoying the rest of them the way I did those.
I still have very fond memories of Granddad's Gift, Cowdung Custard, Without My Shirt. However, I'm just not enjoying the rest of them the way I did those.
March 7, 2021
After reading Paul Jennings' biography - Untwisted, I have more understanding to his writing and thought progress. I remember when I was in Year 5 or 6, I actually really enjoyed these simple and out of the box stories. When I read it now, I do see elements in the story that capture the kids' interest and attention. However, I seem to have lost a lot of interest in these types of stories as I grow up.
April 6, 2022
**MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**
This story is about Souperman who needs to eat soup to get his powers. A kid finds himself in a dangerous situation and needs soupermans help.
This story was too short and boring. If you are really bored fine read it but i wouldnt go out of my way to borrow it from the library. READ PUBIC HARE INSTEAD!! and that weird cabbage patch one.
I would recommend this for 15 year old nerds who love to read but if you are not a nerdy loser don't bother.
This story is about Souperman who needs to eat soup to get his powers. A kid finds himself in a dangerous situation and needs soupermans help.
This story was too short and boring. If you are really bored fine read it but i wouldnt go out of my way to borrow it from the library. READ PUBIC HARE INSTEAD!! and that weird cabbage patch one.
I would recommend this for 15 year old nerds who love to read but if you are not a nerdy loser don't bother.
June 24, 2018
This wasn't one of the most interesting books due to it being for someone who is much significantly younger than a 16 year old.
I gave this 3 stars as one of the stories made me cry due to how loyal a dog can be to you and even die for you which broke me heart, despite it being a fictional dog.
I gave this 3 stars as one of the stories made me cry due to how loyal a dog can be to you and even die for you which broke me heart, despite it being a fictional dog.
September 1, 2021
Paul must have had a pretty messed up childhood because this stuff is pretty depressing. Like, give your kids bad dreams and feel sad at bedtime kind of depressing. Do yourself a favour and in this time of global warming and Covid-19 find your young ones something that offers more light and hope about the human condition than this.
February 20, 2020
An extraordinary collection of unbelievable stories from the imagination of Paul
Jennings. Amazing things happen on the bus; fear becomes real in the dead of night; and the dentist has great stories to tell. A truly fantastic read.
Jennings. Amazing things happen on the bus; fear becomes real in the dead of night; and the dentist has great stories to tell. A truly fantastic read.
December 12, 2018
love reading to my kids before bed
February 10, 2019
A very nice outlook on life that teaches you morals (Sorta)
June 11, 2020
I love everything he does and so do the kids I teach.
Bloody legend.
Bloody legend.
October 16, 2020
I read this when I was around age 8 and every story has stuck with me.
February 28, 2022
A childhood classic.
May 18, 2022
Obsessed with these ztories. Yes I'm 22 n ik it's for kids but his stories r so so good
February 18, 2020
What a peculiar stories I had read! This author has a great feeling of humour and storytelling.
It was hard to put this book away.
I'm glad I've found this writer. He made me feel like in childhood again.
Almost all of these stories are terrific and you totally get in them. My fav is about spook and his exam. Absolutely amazing.
It was hard to put this book away.
I'm glad I've found this writer. He made me feel like in childhood again.
Almost all of these stories are terrific and you totally get in them. My fav is about spook and his exam. Absolutely amazing.
Read
September 15, 2016Unbelievable? Maybe. But I'm telling you it's true. The crusher had pushed all the air out of my lungs. It was squeezing me tighter and tighter. I knew I had only seconds to live. Believe it or not ...A kid can grow younger. Birds can bury you. Ghosts have exams. There are eyes in the milk.
Read
September 23, 2013I decided to read the book Unbelievable by Paul Jennings because it is UNBELIEVABLE. I have read some of his books and have really enjoyed them.
The category on the bingo board this book is under is 'THREE POEMS OR SHORT STORIES FROM ONE ANTHOLOGY'.
My favorite character in this novel was (THE character from the pink bow tie..) He was new at his school and was a tough person who would never let/want people near him. But out of school he was just a small scared kid who was frightened by anything. Seeing the difference between school and real world made me laugh.
My favorite quote in the book was 'You must give me you solemn promise not to tell any other person. Not a soul.' it gave a bit of tension between the characters and showed how serious the old man was.
What i learned from the story is: if you tell someone a little bit of false information, the story can be interpreted many different ways.
The category on the bingo board this book is under is 'THREE POEMS OR SHORT STORIES FROM ONE ANTHOLOGY'.
My favorite character in this novel was (THE character from the pink bow tie..) He was new at his school and was a tough person who would never let/want people near him. But out of school he was just a small scared kid who was frightened by anything. Seeing the difference between school and real world made me laugh.
My favorite quote in the book was 'You must give me you solemn promise not to tell any other person. Not a soul.' it gave a bit of tension between the characters and showed how serious the old man was.
What i learned from the story is: if you tell someone a little bit of false information, the story can be interpreted many different ways.
December 23, 2014
The book is amazing, some of the stories get me a bit scared but they are really good. They are not just like your average scary stories with killing and things jumping out at you, they have twists strange endings and gruesome hits that you find hard to get out of your head. I have read a couple more of Paul Jennings books with my friends and we thought that the books were absolutely amazing. I haven't read all of Paul Jennings books but I would love to soon as they are all so different. I would recommend this to everyone who loves adventure, scary things and things a bit on the gruesome side.
January 3, 2016
Paul Jennings is a beautiful writer. Nowhere is this more evident than in his exquisite story The Busker. My son is addicted to every one of his tales, and having read the whole collection, we are now re-reading them each for the second time.
I am so grateful to share my love of these stories with my children, as I also loved them when I was small. But as an adult re-reading them, I am more and more moved by Jennings' skill in capturing a child's world that is timeless, innocent and worldly all at once.
I am so grateful to share my love of these stories with my children, as I also loved them when I was small. But as an adult re-reading them, I am more and more moved by Jennings' skill in capturing a child's world that is timeless, innocent and worldly all at once.
September 21, 2022
This is a stronger collection than Unreal! and contains one of my favourite short stories ever: 'The Gum Leaf War'. I wasn't keen on the animal cruelty depicted in two of the stories ('One Shot Toothpaste' and 'The Busker') but the pathos and poignancy Jennings infuses his stories with always manages to win me over in the end. And he excels at finishing with a (round the) twist, in a very Dahl-esque manner.
October 14, 2011
Unbelievable! This is great book for any age or gender. If your not massive on reading, this is definatly for you.
Just one bad thing though, the endings come too quickly. I was reading away and then all of the sudden the story's over. I think what Paul Jennings needed to do was to write just a few longer stories, rather than 9 short stories. I would have given it five stars otherwise.
Just one bad thing though, the endings come too quickly. I was reading away and then all of the sudden the story's over. I think what Paul Jennings needed to do was to write just a few longer stories, rather than 9 short stories. I would have given it five stars otherwise.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews