Revenge of the Living Ted

June 1, 2020
Lisa Marie and Vernon meet the mind behind the teddy-bear-animating contraption from Night of the Living Ted (2020). The morning after the teddy-bear takeover, Lisa Marie and Vernon wake up to a world in which, aside from them, no one has any recollection of it. While they try to puzzle out why (and find a new birthday gift for Lisa Marie's dad, since they're too attached to Bearvis to give him up after their shared adventure), they are abducted by the exceptionally hairy inventor of the Stuff-U-Lator. Ursine Kodiak is a self-declared genius whose "mother was a Nobel Prize-winning physicist" and whose "father was a he-witch." With his army of bears (and tanks and jets), he clearly wants to take over the world--though when he remembers to, he claims he wants to save it. Like all good mad scientists, Kodiak suffers from hubris, and he re-creates the brainwaves of the exceptional evil teddy, Grizz, as an artificial intelligence. Grizz, of course, quickly breaks free to become the main antagonist again. While there are definitely giggles, this sequel doesn't maintain the joke density of its predecessor. Taking place almost entirely in Kodiak's secret factory, it doesn't have as much tension, either. However, the kids' solutions--which include using Kodiak's video-gaming bully bears against him and copious poop emojis--will amuse the audience. Human characters are illustrated white; the epilogue sets up a third installment. A middle-book step down; best seen as a bridge to the next book. (Science fantasy. 8-12)

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September 1, 2020

Gr 3-7-The bears are back in town! Hutchinson returns with the second installment. Main characters Lisa Marie, Vernon, and Bearvis saved humanity in the previous title, but can they survive another attack of brazen, evil teddy bears? A new villain has emerged with a different kind of troublesome team-bears with AI, or artificial intelligence. The humor throughout the story will have readers giggling. Throw in crazed teddy bears and a dash of robots for one wild, funny adventure like no other. Cosgrove provides entertaining drawings of scenes. Children will enjoy the fast-paced action, while illustrations will help even the most reluctant of readers. Kids will instantly become fans of the characters and the classic "good vs. evil" motif. Will Lisa Marie, Vernon, and Bearvis be able to save the world, again? Or will the evil robot bear army take over? VERDICT Readers will be anxiously turning the pages of this goofy and exciting title. Recommended for collections seeking more adventurous, illustrated middle grade.-Megan Honeycutt, Univ. of West Georgia, Carrollton

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