Once Upon a Slime

May 7, 2018
Green slime makes a winning story ingredient, and newcomer Maxwell gives it a workout in this fairy tale whodunit. The slime lands first on Goldilocks’s head when she pays a courtesy call to the three bears (“Sure, they’d gotten off to a rocky start, what with the whole porridge thing”). The four of them search for the guilty party, and after bumping into the Little Red Riding Hood crew, another slime attack strikes the whole group (“I should potch you right in the schnozzle, Wolfie!” Granny says, though it’s not the Wolf’s fault). More familiar characters appear, more slime drops, and snappy rejoinders proliferate until the author himself appears above the book like an Olympian god, making excuses to his characters as they appeal to him from the pages of their story. (Even he’s not the real culprit, as it turns out.) Cotterill’s ink-and-watercolor spreads have a cheerful, retro vibe and excel in capturing the frowns and grimaces provoked by the slime epidemic. Though there’s little that’s new in this remix of fairy tale humor, it’s fast-moving and gross enough to make a diverting readaloud. Ages 4–8. Agent for both: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Productions.

May 15, 2018
This fractured fairy tale packs in some solid jokes (and a lot of slime).While visiting the Three Bears, Goldilocks' golden locks are drenched in a generous blob of slime as soon as she opens the door. Who could be responsible? This begins a whodunit that crisscrosses the fairy-tale realm as Goldie and a gaggle of friends seek out the culprit. Was it Baby Bear? ("You're still mad I broke your chair!" Goldie accuses him.) Was it Rapunzel? Was it the Three Little Pigs? Who knew that Goldilocks had beef with so many of her neighbors? As they search, the expanding party is repeatedly slimed in location after location. Maxwell's humor is dry, and hip readers will giggle at the snapbacks and humorous dialogue sprinkled throughout. The story reads aloud well, although the length may limit the audience to older listeners. Cotterill's artwork--ink on watercolor paper with digitally added color--is loose and lively, and rereaders (and savvy-eyed first timers) are given hints to the real slimer. Of the human cast, only Little Red Riding Hood appears to be a person of color; this was a missed opportunity in an otherwise funny retelling. A smart choice for fans of the genre. (Picture book. 6-9)

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July 1, 2018

K-Gr 2-This fractured fairy tale is based on characters from many traditional stories that older children will be familiar with, such as "Three Bears," "Three Little Pigs," "Little Red Riding Hood," and "Rapunzel." Well-known characters try to sleuth out clues as to who is dumping chartreuse green slime on their noggins. Most of the vernacular is presented with well-intentioned humor, despite the fact that Granny attempts to pick a fight with Wolf ("I should potch you right in the schnozzle, Wolfie."). The artwork is stronger than the plot. Cotterill brings a cartoonlike quality to the expressions on the animals' faces. Slapstick events are drawn using ink with digital coloring techniques. Endpapers allow the reader to trace a path from Prince Charming and Snow White-Charming's castle all the way to Pied Piper's Music School and Exterminator Inc., setting the mood for the story to come. Rather than explore an important lesson "about honesty, dignity, and honor," in the end, Frog succeeds in demonstrating a tale of revenge. VERDICT Not a first purchase.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

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