Popcorn Bob

January 25, 2021
In the Netherlands, nine-year-old popcorn lover Ellis has a talent: popping each kernel of microwave popcorn—“every single one.” When her school undertakes an eating campaign banning unhealthy food, though, her fathers place the family microwave in the shed, which she quickly claims for her “secret popcorn paradise.” Surprised at the appearance of a single large unpopped kernel and intent on her nosh, Ellis defies a key packaging rule—“Never put a kernel in the microwave twice”—sticking it in for a reheat. There, it sprouts limbs and a face, making a round of laughably absurd expressions on the rotating microwave turntable before donning a cowboy hat and boots, introducing itself as Popcorn Bob, and, to Ellis’s surprise and annoyance, demanding increasing amounts of food. Comedic hijinks and unlikely friendship ensue, punctuated by Popcorn Bob’s habit of exploding when angry. Ellis’s straightforward narration (“People who call me Ellis-the-Bellis don’t get any popcorn,” Rinck writes) pairs well with speech bubbles and Linden’s scratchy b&w art to create an amusing series starter that’s just right for young fans of the absurd. Ages 7–12.

March 15, 2021
A mischievous talking popcorn kernel with a short fuse turns a Dutch girl's life upside down. When an American farmer pours a "super-illegal" substance onto his cornfield, he's completely unaware that just a little while later in the Netherlands one of the "mega-big" kernels from that crop will become Popcorn Bob. Nine-year-old Ellis brings Bob to life while secretly microwaving popcorn in the shed. Ellis used to eat popcorn every day, but now both her school and her dads will allow only healthy food, and that means no popcorn. Now Ellis is stuck with the cowboy-hatted Popcorn Bob, whose insatiable hunger and bad temper throw Ellis' life into chaos--which Ellis is always blamed for. If only Ellis could get rid of Popcorn Bob and convince everyone to stop eating gross, healthy food all the time! Originally published in the Netherlands, the plot of this illustrated chapter book strings together an odd assortment of slapstick scenarios, all propelled by the selfishness of a strange and repugnant kernel of corn. The detailed grayscale pencil illustrations are full of whimsy, exaggerated facial expressions appropriate to the cartoonish plot. Ellis and her dads appear to have fair skin, and Ellis' classmates are diverse in appearance. The "meanwhile, back in the American Midwest" ending sets up a sequel. Numerous references to "crazy" people may leave readers with a bad taste in their mouths. For readers with a taste for the bizarre. (Science fiction. 7-10)

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March 15, 2021
Grades 2-4 Young Ellis is a nine-year-old Dutch child who is so mad for popcorn that she regularly sneaks out to the shed where her dads, who have gone on a no-popcorn health food kick, have stashed the microwave. Imagine her surprise when, one day, one kernel of her intended snack swells to the size of a lemon, introduces himself as Popcorn Bob, and angrily demands to be fed. Irascible Bob tends to wander off, eat anything that comes his way, belch loudly, and explode when crossed--all of which leads to a string of embarrassing incidents and near catastrophes. Nonetheless, after a brief separation, Ellis discovers that she might want to find a way to keep her new pocket pal around. The short lines of generously spaced narrative share space on almost every page with one or more sketchy but expressive views of a scowling kernel sporting a doll-sized cowboy hat, alternating with views of a bemused protagonist, mildly caricatured grown-ups, and tidy street and country scenes. The close of this bowl of crunchy fun promises sequels.

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