Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich
by Adam Rex
Published by Harcourt
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Reviewed by Jamie Driggers
Oh, the things that monsters have to put up with to get through the day. When poor Frankenstein gets hungry and his fridge is empty, none of his neighbors are sympathetic.
The Creature from the Black Lagoon just can't wait to go swimming after his dinner. The Phantom of the Opera keeps getting children's ditties stuck in his head and has to give up composing. Wolfman's best friend is intolerant of his canine ways. The barber has no idea what to do with the Invisible Man's hair. Count Dracula has what in his teeth? Mummy won't go to his eternal rest. People keep confusing Bigfoot and Yeti. The witches have some interesting hobbies. And that doesn't even touch the Hunchback, Dr. Jekyll, Zombie, Son of Dracula, or Godzilla.
I read many, many children's books and I have to say that Adam Rex is one of the most creative author/illustrators out there today. His imaginative stories are complemented by illustrations that capture not only the essence of the story but the underlying humor.
This is a book that will be enjoyed by both the adult and younger set (read: Mom won't have to secretly roll her eyes before saying yes yet again). There were a couple stories in this set that read clunky to me, but with Rex's flawless cadence everywhere else, I can only assume that the problem is mine. Certainly, the rest of the book more than makes up for the one or two bewildering stanzas.
Armchair Interviews says: Adam Rex scores again with another timeless picture book.