Saturday Night at the Beastro

FM Staff

By Jane Breskin Zalben and Steven Zalben
Harper Collins Children's Books, $15.99

How's this for a children's book. “The meal begins with sloths and slugs, sauteed in oil with crunchy bugs. Spiders chopped and dipped in mold, Black Widow aspic, jelled and cold. Gnats and newts fried up in batter, julienne of poison adder. Roach flambÈ, termite croquettes, Special tonight: pest-o-baguettes...”

If you like what you've read so far, then you'll love the rest of Zalben's fun and funky monster tale. The story delights with ghoulish rhymes, clever puns and unusual artwork that combine handpaintings, collages, photography and digital manipulation.

Though FM doesn't recommend trying any of the “featured dishes,” the creative story is sure to enchant readers of every age.