Greyson Grim is a grumpy old man—and understandably so. After all, as the current owner of the world, he’s solely responsible for ridding it of all the bad things in it, which are referred to in the ownership manual as “Thingamajigs.” According to the hefty tome, the only way to void the world of its troubles is to eat them, which Greyson has done for a very long time. Now, he’s decided, it’s time to sell the world—a transaction that requires no money, and just a signature on a contract. He has just the person in mind to be the new owner: a pure-hearted 8-year-old orphan named Tobi. Van Rensburg’s book is clever, to be sure, if a bit silly, as when “bad Thingamajigs” are consumed as food items. Greyson, for example, drinks a Thingamajig called “RUDE TO MY SISTER,” mixed with “NOT VERY NICE” and “BEING BAD”—as coffee, sugar, and milk, respectively. He later eats “LYING” and “STEALING” as bacon and eggs. But although the book is a brisk read, some of it feels like filler, even when it’s not, as when Tobi inexplicably decides that he wants three wishes granted before signing the contract: ice cream, a visit to the zoo, and an outing at the beach. Although these are fairly conventional wishes for a child, Greyson enjoys each wish so much that it sends the story in a completely new direction. Overall, though, the book carries a positive message without feeling didactic. The book’s length and occasionally sarcastic tone may provide some difficulty for very young readers, but Thompson’s vivid cartoon illustrations assist in creating a delightful series-starter.