Book Review: Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that these monsters act, well,
monster-ly. So expect some mention of blood-sucking, some scary
(looking) zombies, and bad behavior on the part of Godzilla
(who poops on someone's car). Also, the pictures are detailed
and true to their subjects. Some kids might find them too
scary. Because the tone is light and funny, other kids will
find them silly fun.
Families can talk about how humor can take the edge off something scary. Kids familiar with the monsters' backgrounds can note the way their traditional histories are turned upside-down for the poems. (Like the way Frankenstein gets around the torch-wielding villagers.)
Common Sense Media Review
It's tempting to make this book all about the spectacular
pictures since author/illustrator Rex's talent and range are
prodigious. Using different styles for each section, Rex makes
each vignette appropriately unique. For example, the phantom's
scenes have the blurry feel of the silent movie, and the
pictures accompanying Dr. Jekyll's poem take their cue from the
Victorian era of the original tale.
The gross-out factor isn't excessive but it's there. Not only is there a glimpse of Godzilla poop (unhappily deposited on the dismayed poet's Honda), but the monsters themselves are wart-ridden and have bulging eyes, and a few fangs drip saliva. (Much to the delight of the 10-year-old boy who assisted in this review.)
Happily the poems live up to their illustrations. Rex understands the mind of your average kid (at least those who aren't scared of the detailed monster drawings) and his monster tales take inspiration from their original stories. Take the poor beleaguered Phantom of the Opera, who can't get "It's a Small World" out of his head, or Dracula Jr. who is terrified by a trip to the dentist.
The vocabulary level is high -- this isn't a dumbed-down parody -- and Rex doesn't stretch unreasonably far for his rhymes. As rhyming books tend to be, it's an especially fun read-aloud -- and funny enough to keep parents entertained, too.
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