by Joe McGee (Author) Ethan Long (Illustrator)
Get to know the Junior Monster Scouts in this first book in a brand-new chapter book series that's perfect for fans of Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol and Hotel Transylvania!
Wolfy, Franky, and Vampyra--the children of the classic monsters--are Junior Monster Scouts. And even though 'monster' is their middle name, these funny fiends just want to help anybody in need, earn their Junior Monster Scout merit badges, and make friends. But, their good deeds are always foiled by Baron Von Grump, a cranky schemer who doesn't like noise, doesn't like kids, and most of all doesn't like the Junior Monster Scouts.
Peter Piper's kitten Shadow is lost deep in The Gloomy Forest, and the Scouts want to help their new friend. But today is also the Village Cheese Festival and all of the celebrating has Baron Von Grump at wits' end. How can he play his violin in peace if the villagers are making such a racket? He hatches a cheesy plan that involves huge and hungry rats! Uh-oh! Can the Scouts save the cats, the rats, and the day?
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Readers who like to cuddle up to their monsters will respond to this one.
Vampyra, Wolfy, and Franky Stein, the famous monsters' offspring, are working together to earn their Junior Monster Scout badges for their specialized skills, such as howling and flying, and more commonplace qualities like teamwork. The do-good youngsters are going even further by helping Peter, the piper, find his lost kitten. Meanwhile, wicked Baron Von Grump is even crankier than usual and, together with a bunch of rats and his raven Edgar (a homage to Poe that only adults are likely to appreciate), he hatches a cruel plot to force the villagers to flee. When the wee monsters and young Peter learn of the villagers' plight, they draw on all they have learned in scout training to outwit the Grump and save the village. The premise of the young monsters as scouts comes off as run-of-the-mill, while Baron Von Grump's vague motivation (he wants the village quiet so he can play his violin) does not track. At key plot moments, the author directly addresses readers ("Close your eyes.... Now look for a kitten..."), which may draw in some children. Sketch illustrations do not add much to the story, and Baron Von Grump strongly resembles Gargamel from The Smurfs. VERDICT Purchase if there is a strong demand for early chapter books or if books for young scouts are needed.-Tara Kehoe, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Charlotte, NC
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