Monster Heroes

June 5, 2017
Over four stories, Hoena and Bardin introduce young monsters who “wanted to be like superheroes and save the day.” There’s Will, a shy but brave ghost; Mina, a beet-juice-drinking vampire; Linda, a kindly witch; and Brian, a quick-thinking zombie who prefers tofu to brains. The stories are essentially identical: each of the four runs into trouble with members of his or her own kind (mean ghosts try to haunt new residents in town, Mina’s parents plan to take a bite out of their dinner guests) and the friends swoop in to help, but Hoena’s playful sense of humor and Bardin’s Cartoon Network–ready illustrations keep these three-chapter stories quick moving and entertaining. Ages 5–8.

July 1, 2017

Gr 1-3-Hoena introduces readers to four friendly and clever monsters who are not exactly what most readers would expect. Mina is a vegetarian vampire who drinks beet juice instead of blood. Will, a shy ghost who isn't into scaring people, uses his invisibility to assist friends instead. Brian is a zombie who'd rather munch on tofu than brains. Linda, a witch, uses her magic to help others. These pint-size monsters are featured in four stories, each with three short chapters. Faced with problems, the monsters work together to save the day. Delightful full-color illustrations keep young readers engaged. Filled with simple dialogue, action, and controlled vocabulary, this title is ideal for students ready for independent reading. VERDICT The adventures of these lovable monsters will entice young readers. Purchase where there is a great need for beginning chapter books.-Laura Fields Eason, Parker Bennett Curry Elementary School, Bowling Green, KY

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March 15, 2017
Four good-hearted monsters repeatedly save the day by concocting clever ways to foil the schemes of their evil families and schoolmates.Their challenges range from getting the residents of Hill House (-across from Shirley Jackson's tomb-) to laugh rather than scream at a trio of ectoplasmic pranksters to saving the Plasma family after vampire neighbors issue an invitation to...dinner. Happily, Will, Mina, Brian, and Linda--respectively, a shy ghost, a vampire who prefers beet juice to blood, a brainy zombie, and a curse-reversing witch-- rise to every challenge by putting their heads and magical powers together. Bardin adds a zany element to the well-leaded narrative with daffy cartoon illustrations, and if some of them are crowded to the point of looking cramped, he does at least endow his popeyed figures with a range of skin colors, natural and (more commonly) otherwise. (Will is a classic white sheet, Mina has light-blue skin and fuchsia hair, Brian is a delicate puce, and Linda has green skin and white hair.) Hoena tucks sufficient tongue-in-cheek references into the narrative to keep older readers amused, should they happen upon the book. Never a dull moment at Frankenstein Elementary. (Fiction. 7-9)

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