Legendary laughs (+review)

One thing Jackie Rutherford has learnt from her time teaching both here and overseas is that humour is universal.
The Hawke's Bay first-time author says no matter what age or race, kids just love to laugh.
And that laughter was her motivation to write When The Cat's Away, a witty tale along the lines of Home Alone about three teenagers inadvertently left to fend for themselves while their parents take their long-awaited OE.
Jackie, 30, says she looked around to see what was out there for children aged 11 to 14 to read and found that although there was plenty of mystery - and of course vampire books - there were few humorous stories.
"Although none of my characters is based on anyone in particular, the plot is based on something I heard when I was a teenager," Jackie says.
"I'm not sure if it was an urban legend or if it really happened, but the story went that a teenager had a party while their parents were away and it got out of control.
"The 'legend' says there was $30,000 of damage done to the property. It always put me off having a party when my parents were away, that's for sure!"
However, Jackie says she thought it would be fun to have three siblings, who can't really stand each other,forced to pull together to fix things before their parents get home, because they just know they'll be grounded forever if they find out what went on while they were away.
The story is funny, easy to read and fast-moving. It's taken Jackie five long years to get When the Cat's Away published. The first publisher she approached rejected it, so it lay abandoned while she went overseas.
Once back in Hawke's Bay with her husband and young son, she decided to have another go. Her perseverance paid off and her first book will be officially launched on April 12.
With all the doom and gloom that's been filling our TV screens and newspapers lately, it seems an appropriate time to give young people something to smile about.
This lovely book is a welcome relief and will have grins on faces in no time.
Jackie is already working on her next book.
REVIEW
When the Cat's Away
by Jackie Rutherford, Scholastic, $19.50
Siblings, Jodi, 18, Nathan, 15, and Bianca 14, are home alone. Their parents have taken off on a much-awaited holiday and Aunty Jean is meant to be coming to look after them. However, she's had a slight accident and can't drive, but the three teenagers assure her that the neighbour is in and out all day checking on them.
In reality, the neighbour has been called away and the three are left to their own devices.
When Bianca invites a few friends over to watch movies, Jodi and Nathan decide they will also invite people over.
Before they know what's happening the house is bursting at the seams with people they've never seen before, and what's more the place is being trashed.
With a little help from an unlikely source they manage to get everyone out, but when they survey the damage they know they are in big trouble with a capital T.
To right their wrongs, the siblings find themselves pulling together and pooling their resources.
A funny and enjoyable story that will appeal to those aged between 11 and 14.