Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex

Review of Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex From School Library Journal

This hilarious collection of illustrated poems describes the lives of well-known monsters. There's Frankenstein, who tries to borrow food from townsfolk, but is instead pelted with garbage: Its true, at first/he thought the worst:/His neighbors were so rude!/But then he found/that on the ground/they'd made a mound of food. The accompanying illustration shows the pickle-green brute happily eying a towering sandwich made from discarded edibles. In several comical appearances, the Phantom of the Opera bemoans the fact that he can no longer compose arias because he cant get catchy tunes out of his head (Its a small world after all./Angry cursing fills the hall./Now hes crawling up the wall./Its a small, small world). He eventually considers an alternate career. The Creature from the Black Lagoon ignores his mothers advice, swims too soon after eating, and sinks; Count Dracula walks around with spinach in his teeth because no one dares tell him about it. Told with smooth, unstrained rhymes, each selection captures its subjects voice. Rex uses an impressive variety of techniques and media in the artwork while paying homage to famed illustrators. From shiny black-and-white graphics in Zombie Zombie, to a Richard Scarry-esque interpretation of the Yeti, to pen-and-ink sketches of Dr. Jekyll, each creature claims its own style. The book is fresh, creative, and funny, with just enough gory detail to cause a few gasps. Kids will eat it up.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

I had both the book and audio versions of the poetry. This is most definitely a book for boys! If you don't know your monsters, you will not find it as entertaining. My girls just kept asking "Who is the Phantom" and or "Why is the dog worried about hair in the shower" (it was the werewolf's dog). I found if funny and refreshing. I would suggest it for 3-5th grade boys, maybe younger for your higher level reading students.