The Egg of Misery

November 7, 2011
Flat, primitive art in yellow and gray brings to mind “what if the Wimpy Kid was instead Conan’s kid?” The book’s not attractive, but it is easy to read and very expressive. It looks like something a classmate might have scribbled on notebook paper and passed around, providing a sense of “I could do this!” The familiar plot sends the young Fangbone, normally picked on by the bigger warriors, on a mystical quest that, if successful, will reward the clan with victory against the enemy army. The young fighter is surprised to find that his mission involves blending in at an elementary school, which leads to much culture-clash humor. It’s cute, funny, and will win over most readers with its commitment to its premise. It’s even heartwarming, as Bill (Fangbone’s friend, previously thought to be a loser) learns confidence, and Fangbone gains an appreciation for teamwork during a dodgeball-like game. The modern touches—such as hot wings and Bill’s ADD medicine—ground the book, while jabs at school philosophy through the character of the goofy principal will entertain adult readers. Ages 7–9.

April 15, 2012
Grades 2-4 With all the stir that your average boy wizard kicks up when he hits the classrooms, it's about time a school-age barbarian came along. And this one comes along like gangbusters, transported to our world as the guardian of an evil overlord's big toe. The pint-size Conan befriends Bill, one of the losers from room 3G; encounters the sorcery of flushing toilets; convinces classmates that the sun is actually a flaming eyeball; battles monstrous invaders; and, naturally, helps his new friend go head-to-head with the school bully on the dodgeball field. Rex (Goodnight Goon, 2008) finds rollicking opportunities in this scenario, plumbing both third-grade humor (including the mother of all nose-picking jokes) and insecurities to fine narrative effect. This first in a new series makes a bizarrely appropriate companion piece for the ever-popular Babymouse series, with its lightning pace and absurd but heartfelt story. The blocky figures and zany action are fitalso like Babymouseinto a mainly monochromatic palette: in this case, a savagely barbaric . . . orange?(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)