A Crankenstein Valentine by Samantha Berger. Illustrated by Dan Santat. unpgd. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, December, 2014. 9780316376389. (Purchased.)
He's back and he's bad and he's mad about Valentine's Day. If Crankenstein weren't already firmly ensconced in my heart, he would be with this book. As one who detests the holiday, I can relate.
Poor Crankenstein! He's awakened on this dreadful day by his mother, who knows exactly how Crankenstein feels about Valentine's Day and does not care a fig. She has heart-covered tighty-whites for him to wear and is sending him off to school with roses to give to his teachers. On the bus, Crankenstein can't manage to fend off a kiss from someone who is seriously crushing on him. Do we see a second Crankenstein in the back of the bus?
When forced to make a Valentine card, Crankenstein is quite the poet,
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Valentine's Day stinks.
Seriously, P.U.
He endured a candy disaster and mushy garland making but the last straw is having to play the part of Cupid in a Valentine's Day pageant.
Santat marvelously captures Crankenstein in all his curmudgeonly glory. His illustrations make the humorous text pop. And I want some candy hearts from the front end-pages.
This will be a sure-fire hit at Valentine's Day storytime. Fans of Crankenstein will be happy he's back and new fans will seek out the prequel.
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