Zombie in Love 2 + 1

November 3, 2014
Zombie lovers Mortimer and Mildred, last seen in Zombie in Love, have “a little problem” in the form of the baby left on their doorstep. They happily take Sonny in, but “His teeth were coming in instead of falling out,” he sleeps soundly through the night, and his skin is quite pink compared to their blue-green pallor. A trip to the doctor puts their fears to rest, and before long they are playing “got your nose” in the way only a zombie family can. DiPucchio and Campbell are in ghoulishly comic sync, with plenty of punning and visual gags (brains appear as everything from hobby-horse heads to table lamps) to keep kids cackling. Ages 4–8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

October 1, 2014
Zombie couple Mildred and Mortimer find a live baby on their doorstep. Although happy to be parents, taking care of a new baby often scares them to death. DiPucchio uses a deadpan tone to recount the couple's stressful transition into parenthood. "Having a baby wasn't what they expected. / Sonny was a fussy eater. His teeth were coming in instead of falling out." The young boy keeps them up all day while sleeping through the night. No matter what they do, the baby seems happy-which completely troubles them. Campbell's watercolor illustrations show gray-green scenes full of comic and faux-gory touches. Small, friendly worms cavort around the smiling baby, who plays with a train made of brains. Fretful that the baby is not well-he hardly ever cries!-Mildred and Mortimer take Sonny to a doctor, who pronounces the baby to be quite healthy. Finally, a growing Sonny tries to liberate himself from his crib and falls out. He erupts into tears and wails. His parents' reaction? " 'Do you hear that, dear?' Mortimer asked, beaming with pride. 'It's positively terrifying!' " Soon they are all smiling...and the final close-up shows all three with wide, gap-toothed grins. Rare is the entertaining story that has equal appeal at Valentine's Day and Halloween. Share with a slightly older audience who will fully appreciate the silly yet wonderfully gross details. (Picture book. 5-8)

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January 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 2-In this clever follow-up to DiPucchio and Campbell's Zombie in Love (S. & S., 2011), zombie couple Mortimer and Mildred don't know what to do when a bouncing, live baby shows up on their doorstep. Sonny, as they quickly name him, doesn't care for bat pudding or mud to eat, hardly ever cries or wails, and keeps them awake all day long. They fret over advice books like any new parents, consult the pediatrician, and finally, one day, the boy sleeps through the day. "You know what, darling?" Mildred says to her husband, "I think he has your nose!" And their new baby sure does-he's pulled the nose right off of Daddy's zombie face to use as a teether. That's just one of the icky-funny puns. This book lends itself well to family storytimes: kids will adore the zombie humor, and parents will recognize their own experiences in Mildred and Mortimer's struggles. After all, don't all new parents go through a phase where they feel like zombies?-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2014
Grades K-2 Zombie in Love (2011) brought together undead lovebirds Mortimer and Mildred, but their nest just got smaller: a gurgling (and quite alive) baby left on their crypt-step. The duo is scared to death about being parents due to the odd behavior of the child. Why, it doesn't enjoy eating cans of strained brains! And its teeth are coming in instead of falling out! This reverse-view of a baby's growth cycle will generate laughs, even from those who can barely conceive of what a zombie is. Mostly, Mortimer and Mildred are disturbed by Sonny's, well, happiness. After a trip to Dr. Frank N. Stein confirms the infant is healthy, it takes Sonny stumbling and shrieking to make the parents relieved: Do you hear that, dear?' Mortimer asked, beaming with pride. It's positively terrifying!' As before, this is an excellent package: the headstone-height trim provides plenty of space for Campbell's mold- and rot-colored washes, which especially excel at bug-eyed close-ups. DiPucchio has another winner here; one wonders if the family can hold together (literally) for a third installment. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Best-seller DiPucchio has struck up a winning concept, one that should keep galvanizing new readerships.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)