I Will Chomp You!

The fast pace, funny faces, and silly secret make this a great read-aloud.

It's by now a familiar metafictive device--the bully inside the book who threatens readers with certain doom. "If you turn any more pages... I will chomp you, buster!" growls a blue monster that Shea (the Dinosaur vs. series) gives massive jack-o-lantern jaws and menacing charcoal eyebrows. He isn't too scary, though. For one thing, a rabbit, frog, and bird hover close to the monster's jaws and--like readers--escape every "Chomp!" "Well, I missed," admits the monster. "But I won't miss again." Halfway through, he fesses up: "You're probably wondering why I'm so eager to chase you away. Can you keep a secret? It's because I have all my cakes back here, at the end of the book." Tempting descriptions and appetizing pictures a la a 1950s dessert cookbook follow: "Cakes with sprinkles. Cakes with chocolate." There's more desperate chomping as the monster obliterates his stash before readers can get to it. Nothing's as fun as the dopey evildoer who can't win, and John's (Goodnight Already!) comedy makes this a surefire read-aloud for any crowd of cake-lovers. Ages 3-7. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Aug.)

PreS-Gr 1--In this superbly paced book, a toothy blue monster tries to prevent readers from turning the page. The monster delivers his admonishments with plenty of frenzied bluster ("You've been officially WARNED!"). Disobedient readers will relish outmaneuvering the "CHOMPS" that bite through the scenes, while a bunny rabbit, frog, and bird nervously flit and flee in the background details. The monster's clever threats, wheedles, and plea bargains are all in an avaricious attempt to conceal a cornucopia of fancy cakes. As the end of the book draws near, the greedy monster gobbles up all of the desserts. His delicious comeuppance is a tummy ache. Shea's riotously bold cartoon illustrations are an explosion of energy and color. VERDICT Expect to serve up second and third helpings of this delectable read-aloud delight.--Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada