Octo-Man and the Headless Monster

March 1, 2017

Gr 2-5-Walter, otherwise known as Clint McCool to his friends, has a busy brain that's constantly on the go. Though Clint McCool is well intentioned, every idea results in unexpected trouble for him and his good friends Marco and ML. When he wears his six-button hat, which brings him special pretend powers, Clint McCool thinks he is unstoppable and finds himself in escapade after escapade. This time, it's on a sci-fi movie set, where he somehow manages to save the day but not before causing havoc on set by ruining some of the movie's props. Filled with outrageous situations and graphiclike illustrations, this chapter book is fast-paced and fun. VERDICT A quick, easy offering; ideal for reluctant readers.-Vivian Ho, Port Washington Public Library, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2017
Grades 1-3 Walter, aka Clint McCool, is a fountain of ideas. One afternoon, while walking home from school, Clint encounters Octo-Man on the set of a new movie. Clint's so excited that he accidentally damages Octo-Man's costume and gets kicked off the set, but Clint can't stop thinking how to improve the movie. After a number of failed ideas, the director offers Clint a partjust not the kind he was envisioning. Relatable, likable Clint, who rapidly bounces from one scheme to another, could be a great model for readers who struggle with focus, as he learns that sometimes it is better to be the boss of one idea at a time. Von Innerebner's blue-and-white illustrations help illustrate the humor of Clint's escapades. This quirky, fast-paced series starter should easily get kids laughing.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)