New Monster Book Will Amuse Youngsters

I Want to Eat Your Books

Written by Karin Lefranc and illustrated by Tyler Parker.

Sky Pony Press, Sept. 2015

Ages 3-6

The new kid at school turns out to be a zombie, but he’s hungry for books instead of his classmates. He chomps through a science book, a textbook, and “Sharks at Sea,” as the narrator hurries to hide his favorite “Frankenstein.”

When the teacher announces library time, the kids have to come up with a plan fast to stop the hungry zombie from destroying all the books. The narrator offers the zombie a book about the brain. Somehow the subject interests the zombie, even though he eats books not brains. And suddenly, he is converted to reading books instead of eating them. “I WANT TO READ YOUR BOOKS!” he shouts. Then another monster, a mummy, bursts in and the zombie tames her and reads her a book.

Parker’s full-page illustrations are vibrant and colorful, and amp up the book’s energy. The book’s rhyming iambic couplets and the monster’s repeated cries of “I WANT TO EAT YOUR BOOKS!” add to the fun and excitement.

“Oh no!” cries Eric. “Take a look. / He’s chomping on your science book!” / “And now he’s got a paperback / he’s munching as a midday snack.

“He looks at us with bulgy eyes / and chews a torn-off page and cries: / I WANT TO EAT YOUR BOOKS!

On the negative side, the rhymes are sometimes a little clunky and the ending about the mummy seems a bit tacked on and rushed.

Nevertheless, this energetic, funny book will appeal to youngsters. Parents and teachers will appreciate the message about reading. And it’s coming out just in time for Halloween.

The publisher is also providing a classroom guide with language arts activities that address Common Core Standards.

Recommended.

   

About the Author and Illustrator:

Karen Lefranc grew up all over the world, living in Sweden, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, before moving to the U.S. to attend Bard College in New York. She lives in Connecticut with her three daughters and son, who love devouring books of all kinds. Karin is a certified children’s yoga instructor. This is her debut picture book.

Tyler Parker received his BFA in illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art and also has an MA in sequential design and illustration from the University of Brighton. He is the illustrator of more than seven children’s books including “Monsters Meet on Mondays” and “The Ice Cream Shuffle” and lives in Seattle.    

    

Look for These New Picture Books

Peter Pauper Press, White Plains, NY, is a new publisher to watch for standout picture books. The publisher of gift books, humor books, compact references, travel guides, stationery, holiday cards, journals and activity books, began publishing a small number of picture books two years ago.  This year’s list includes two not to miss: “No Yeti Yet” by Mary Ann Fraser and “Mina’s White Canvas” by Hyeon-Ju Lee.

No Yeti Yet

by Mary Ann Fraser

Ages 4-8

Two young brothers venture out on a snowy day in search of a “yeti,” a big, shaggy snow monster in “No Yeti Yet.” The little brother is full of questions for his older brother, but they can’t find the yeti until the end. The blue, snowy pictures that cover every page are wonderful. Readers will be amused to find the yeti before the characters do. He hides on every page. The big brother is at first afraid when the monster shows up in the end, but the yeti turns out to be friendly.

My one complaint is that the story does not take place in the Himalayan region of Nepal and Tibet, the setting for the legendary yeti or Abominable Snowman. Instead of looking Nepalese or Tibetan, the children in the book appear to be Caucasian. Nevertheless, I recommend the book.

About the author: Mary Ann Fraser graduated from UCLA and then spent a year studying at England’s Exeter College of Art and Design. Since then, she has written and illustrated 60 books for children, winning accolades including School Library Journal’s Best Book of the Year and American Booksellers Association Pick of the List. Visit her website at www.maryannfraser.com.

Mina’s White Canvas

By Hyeon-Ju Lee

Ages 4-8

On a gray, gloomy day, Mina draws a beautiful snowfall on her windowpane with a magic crayon. Then she takes a walk in the forest and uses her crayon to solve problems for many animal friends she meets. The story is similar to the 1955 classic “Harold and the Purple Crayon” by Crockett Johnson, but this one stars a Korean girl and focuses on making friends. The pictures are lovely, and despite the simplicity of style, the characters’ faces are expressive, adding to the fun of the story. Recommended.

   

About the author: Hyeon-Ju Lee is a talented young author and illustrator from Korea. This is her debut children’s picture book, which was originally published in Korea. In 2012, she won a Special Mention for the Opera Prima section of the Bologna Ragazzi Award, honoring new authors and illustrators of the best designed books worldwide.