Crankenstein

K-Gr 2—The bedroom looks like it belongs to an average boy: scattered checkers, model trucks, and a baseball on the floor; tiny action figures near the alarm clock on the night table; and a monster-face lamp grinning its terrible grin… well, okay, maybe the lamp is a tip-off. When the blanketed figure on the bed is roused by a hearty, "Good morning!!" his startled face is green and goggle-eyed, and his only comment is, "MEHHRRRR!" Crankenstein's eyes bulge dangerously yellow over a stack of pancakes when the syrup bottle is empty. His green and awful face is reflected in a pool of water on a rainy day, and it leers disgustedly when approached by a dripping, garish red spoonful of Dr. Giggles cough syrup. It seems as though everything turns a boy into a Crankenstein. Will the creature ever turn from "MEHHRRRR!" to merry? Youngsters will roar along with Crankenstein through this silly and sympathetic story of grumpy-grouchies. Santat's striking digital illustrations, generous in size, have hilarious details that will inspire repeated readings.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY