Paul Linnet

A spooky witch enchants a bunch of pumpkins to be her servants and most of them are named things like "Icky" and "Ooze" but one is named Christopher. All the other pumpkins decorate with spiderwebs and cook rotten rat pizza for dinner but Christopher decorates with pastel balloons and bakes pink cupcakes. The witch says he needs to be spooky and has to scare someone or she will kick him out so he scares HER with cute pink things.

This book rules! I love that nothing “happens” to Christopher to make him different, he just is that way even though he was made exactly the same as the other pumpkins. And he’s just unabashedly himself. I especially liked that he doesn’t actually get “acceptance” in the end, he just has fun scaring the witch away by being himself, because he is self-aware enough to know that who he is is scary to her, but never considers changing.… (more)

Taking a moment all kids can identify with, this book twists a giggle worthy tale which might even throw in a silly gasp.

Alan is having tons of fun with his friends, so when the first signs having to wee slide in, he's reluctant to leave the excitement. Luckily, his friends understand the dire situation and head out to help him search for a bathroom. But things don't go as planned, especially as the distractions mount and the toilet possibilities fade away.

Alan and his friends are a fun group, and this radiates off the pages from the very start. They support each other and have one another's backs no matter what. This warmth along with the determination not to leave a friend alone with his problem make it a lovely read, which holds that special something even when the silliness ensues.

The 'I-need-to-pee-dance' in the very first pages already hits a very familiar chord, which kids (and adults) quickly identify with. Alan's search for a bathroom hits a sympathetic note as he first battles his own decision to search out a bathroom or play, and then becomes dire when a toilet isn't as easy to find as hoped. It's a situation everyone finds themselves in and an inner-battle situation especially kids known too well. But this search soon hits ridiculous and quirky humor, and that's what makes this a book to love too. Kids will shake their heads, laugh and wonder at Alan's attempts, while still knowing full well what type of situation he's in.

The illustrations are vibrant and lively, yet hold a geometrical simplicity. This is a playful tale, and that hits every page. This is an imaginative group of friends who invites to fun the entire way through. And it will have young listeners coming back again and again.

I received an ARC and despite my raised eyebrows, enjoyed the fun and message very much.… (more)