The Creature Department

Gr 4–7—Twelve-year-old Elliott and his friend Leslie discover the secret behind a corporation's amazing inventions: all of the products were created by a group of fantastical "creatures" that include a security guard with a face that's "part walrus, part English bulldog," a tiny batlike fellow with a French accent, and other intriguing personalities. The children quickly befriend the creatures and join in on their invention projects. Meanwhile, the clandestine inventors are menaced by the evil schemes of corporate raiders in league with a much-less-friendly brand of monster. The premise of the mysterious creatures has solid appeal; so do the descriptions of their personalities and physical features, aided strongly by plentiful black-and-white illustrations. Full-page cartoon drawings open each of the 31 chapters, plus dozens of smaller images sprinkled throughout, lending extra life and humor to the characters, especially the creatures themselves, and the mystery behind what's threatening them isn't strongly compelling, but does include a couple of neat twists. Evil schemes and battle scenes are more funny than perilous, peppered with wisecracks and bits of amusing grossness, such as shots of giant snot globs. As lead characters, Elliott and Leslie are disappointingly ordinary; they are chosen to help the creatures by Elliott's scientist uncle, but neither one seems particularly interesting or unique. The creatures are the main appeal, though, and their antics, coupled with the strong visuals, will attract readers who enjoy imaginative, slightly silly fantasies.—Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR