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THE MONSTER WHO ATE MY PEAS

Name: THE MONSTER WHO ATE MY PEAS
Author: Danny Schnitzlein
ISBN: 1-56145-216-5

by Danny Schnitzlein & illustrated by Matt Faulkner ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2001

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Arcimboldo meets Mad Magazine as a monster that looks like a cross between an octopus and a compost pile bargains with a young narrator willing to sacrifice his prized soccer ball, and even his new bike, rather than eat peas. The creature wears a battered top hat above its many waving eyestalks and tentacles, and there’s a Seussian (or Clement Clarke Moore) flavor to the rhymed text as well: “His ears were like mushrooms, his chin like a beet, / And he balanced himself on two big stinky feet,” etc. Coming to regret each treasure’s loss, the lad at last screws his courage to the sticking place and samples the dreaded green stuff—only (unsurprisingly) to discover that he likes it. The monster shrivels away forthwith. Though readers may find it hard to swallow the ending (and some lines of text are swallowed by the art over which they’re printed), the rollicking rhythms and madcap, over-the-top art give this successor to Sarah Wilson’s out-of-print Muskrat, Muskrat Eat Your Peas (1989) plenty of comic energy. On to Faust. (Picture book. 8-10)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2001

ISBN: 1-56145-216-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Peachtree

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2001

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
GNU AND SHREW
by Danny Schnitzlein ; illustrated by Anca Sandu

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THE SUB

by P.J. Petersen & illustrated by Meredith Johnson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1993

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When the substitute walks in, James and Ray quickly decide to switch desks and identities—but the joke turns as sour as the smells from Ray's garbage-filled desk when James finds himself blamed for his friend's high jinks and poor schoolwork. When Ray recites a poem describing ``himself'' as ``James./Neat. Smart./Cleaning his desk./Petting his dog./Dreaming of girls...,'' the class is mightily amused. James's aggravation turns to panic when Ray sprains his ankle and the teacher goes off to call ``his'' parents; still, all's well: she's been on to them all along. A funny, uncontrived story—from the author of The Fireplug is First Base and other well-told tales. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 8-10)

Pub Date: March 1, 1993

ISBN: 0-525-45059-9

Page Count: 80

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1993

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
WILD RIVER
by P.J. Petersen

- BOOK REVIEW
RISING WATER
by P.J. Petersen

- BOOK REVIEW
I HATE WEDDINGS
by P.J. Petersen

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THE CAT THAT COULD SPELL MISSISSIPPI

by Laura Hawkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1992

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Vying for acceptance in her new fourth grade, Linda weaves a tangled web. ```We don't need any more girls in this class!''' they tell her. Seeking recognition, Linda boasts, cheats on a test, and quickly alienates class leader Tammy. She also empathizes with her brother's difficulties, agonizes over a stray cat (``Mississippi''), and meets a failed cook/fortuneteller who helps her think about her actions and motives. Eventually, everyone learns a lesson, ends an estrangement, or finds his/her niche—except Gramps, who continues to cheat on his diet by hiding cookies in the garage. This sequel to Figment, Your Dog, Speaking (1991) features several of the same motifs (dishonesty, a wish for acceptance, absent parents, a talking animal), as well as a similarly blurred storyline crowded with ancillary characters. Unfortunately, the important messages conveyed by their various experiences are obscured by the overload. Still, Hawkins continues to show promise as a storyteller. (Fiction. 8-10)