Happy book birthday, Mermaids Are The Worst by Alex Willan!

 We're not done shouting 'Happy Birthday', yet! This one came out two days ago and adds to an already fun list of partner books by this author, which feature Gilbert and his mixing with various types of mythical beings. I have read almost every single one of these because they've always made me smile, are easy to read, and silly. Humor often seems to be lacking in life, anymore...at least, pure humor with only a very light message at most.

Anyway, I'm curious what Gilbert has to say about mermaids because it's sure to be giggle-worthy.

MERMAIDS ARE THE WORST!

by Alex Willan

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 8 to 12

Gilbert the Goblin’s beachside vacation gets ruined by mermaids and their games in the side-splitting latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends.

Who doesn’t love a good vacation? Soaking up some sun, floating on the waves and…arm wrestling an octopus? When mermaids show up in the middle of Gilbert’s goblin getaway, their fin-flapping festivities quickly turn rest and relaxation into stress and aggravation.

This is clearly proof that mermaids are the worst! Can Gilbert find his beachside bliss or will he be caught in the undertow of these seaside shenanigans?

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MY TIDBITS

I've had the honor of reading several of Alex Willan's books in this row andbelieve they get better with time. In this book, Gilbert has a run-in with mermaids. All he wants is to go on vacation....a goblin's daily life can get stressful, after all...but just as he settles down on the beach to enjoy the peace and warmth, the mermaids show up to have an annual competition. A huge one. That means utter chaos for Gilbert.

While this books centers around mermaids, it's for more than just mermaid or fantasy fans. Gilbert's not-always-so-subtle snark and clever observations poke fun at some of the beloved traits of mermaids, which will make non-mermaid fans smile. The sarcasm is impossible to miss. This isn't the only place the humor works its magic, though. Gilbert finds himself in ridiculous situations, and even if he has simple intentions, nothing ever runs as he'd hoped. There's silliness the entire way through, and yet...

The cynical and silly humor is accompanied by the never-dying cheerfulness of the mermaids. This is where mermaid fans will enjoy the read, too. The mermaids bounce from one competition to the next, never showing even the slightest hint of bad will or frustrated thoughts. They're always kind and radiate goodness from each and every page...to Gilbert's dismay as it's often over-the-top. There's a surprising twist at the end to close everything off on a very good note. So, it's a positive read through and through...just with Gilbert's talent for cynicism trying to add a grumpy note. 

This is a great read for even the younger end of the audience level. The text is kept short in small bubbles or phrases throughout. The vocabulary fits the age group and does add some word growth but doesn't lay heavily into this end, either. While the text sets the basis for the plot, the bright and bold illustrations carry the story and weave in most of the humor. Listeners, who are unsure of their words, can pick this one up and flip through it on their own to revisit and enjoy the tale through the images.

I'm curious what creatures Gilbert still may run into and see this book as a fun read-aloud to make groups or single listeners smile.

And here he is...

If it was Alex Willan, and not Gilbert the Goblin, who was in charge of writing the stories, he’d make a book called Anchovies are the Worst!. Alex is the author-illustrator of the Worst! picture book series and the Jasper & Ollie series, as well as the illustrator of Got Your Nose, written by Alan Katz. Alex lives in Chicago with his dog, Harley, who is the absolute best. Visit him online at AlexWillan.com.

Today's read... Elves Are the Worst! by Alex Willan

Is it Christmas time already? Of course not! I've already read the first three books in this series and am pretty sure that this one (if it follows the same scheme as the others) will work for any day of the year...Christmas, too. The series hits ones magical creature after the other, points out their frustrating aspects, and has me smiling every time. Plus, the phrase 'Christmas in July' makes it appropriate enough to grab this read up and dive in (as if I need an excuse).

Grab those Santa hats because we're going to let the early Christmas dreams fly!

ELVES ARE THE WORST!

Are the Worst! #4

by Alex Willan

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 12th!!!

Gilbert the Goblin infiltrates Santa’s workshop to prove that goblins are better workers than elves in the side-splitting latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends.

Everyone knows that elves have a reputation of being the hardest workers around—especially when it comes to the holiday season—but as far as Gilbert the Goblin is concerned that’s nothing but ho-ho-hogwash. A goblin’s to-do list is just as long as any elf’s; they just don’t feel the need to sing songs about it.

To prove he can outperform any reindeer-watching, wrapper-paper-wielding, toy-tinkering elf, Gilbert puts on his merriest disguise to infiltrate Santa’s workshop. But can one lone goblin do the work of a whole team of elves?

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MY TIDBITS

The humor puts smiles not only on kids but will have adults smirking and chuckling as well.

Elves, especially Christmas elves, aren't nearly as amazing as everyone acts like they are. Certainly not more impressive than a goblin. With carefully laid out evidence, this goblin reveals the truth behind elves...until it doesn't quite work out like he hopes.

After exploring dragons, unicorns, and yetis, the author now tackles elves in the most delightful way. It's fun to see what evidence the goblin presents (and that always in a serious tone). Especially in this book, the play on real life examples was funny...and if that doesn't have kids smiling, the more slap-stick humor toward the end of the tale will. It's a balanced mix to pull in kids and even offer adults something along the way. 

The illustrations are bright and bold, and weave right in to add even more on the humor end. The comparison between elves and goblins hits especially well...and blurs lines in all the right ways. The elves come across, even when being scrutinized by the goblin, at the end in a way, which does keep the dreams of Christmas alive, making this a great holiday read. It does, however, work for any time of year, too.

With the silliness, there are also warming messages. Not only does the goblin continue (like in the other books) his mistake of building himself up by trying to shove others done, but there's also a message surrounding the value of working together as well as one concerning the importance of gathering different perspectives to make things even better. In other words, it's a read worth picking up.

Happy Book Birthday... Yetis Are The Worst! by Alex Willan

 I'm screaming this birthday out a day early (it actually appears on the shelves tomorrow), but birthdays  are so amazing that they deserve the extra special attention. This is the third book in a series, which began with Unicorns Are The Worst!, and I've been following the series ever since. Which is quite remarkable, since I usually am too all over the place to do that. This has been a cute and silly series so far, and I don't expect this newest addition to be any different.

YETIS ARE THE WORST

by Alex Willan

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 3 to 5

COMING...

TOMORROW!!!

In this hilarious follow-up to Unicorns Are the Worst! and Dragons Are the Worst!, Gilbert the Goblin’s next adventure takes him to the frozen tundra where he’s determined to find the legendary yeti.

Gilbert the Goblin is the first to admit that he was, ahem, mistaken—unicorns actually throw the best tea parties, and dragons make delicious ice cream soup. This time, though, he can absolutely confirm that YETIS ARE THE WORST!

Sure, they may seem cool and mysterious, but once you meet one, he’s CERTAIN they’re not all they’re cracked up to be! And that’s what Gilbert plans to do: meet a yeti. That is, if he can find one…but how hard can that be?

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MY TIDBITS

 These pages prove how sneaky, giggle-worthy, and determined a yeti hunt can be. 

Gilbert the Goblin is at it again, trying to prove to the reader that yetis aren't nearly as mysterious as people make them out to be. Wielding a polaroid camera, he marches off through mountains and snow. Of course, it doesn't quite work out the way he hopes it will.

This is the third book in a series, each which stands perfectly well on its own. Gilbert is his usual, concerned self and is out to prove that another mystical creatures, this time yetis, aren't nearly as awesome as people make them out to be...so, in other words, his envy shines through in an, actually, very subtle manner. Readers will pick up on it and realize he's being ridiculous, but it's most definitely the humor that drives this read. And quiet yetis.

The illustrations carry the humor, while the text lets Gilbert's more serious thoughts, flow. Each scene will have listeners giggling as the yetis appear. The illustrations are cheerful, oh-so-snowy, and make the yetis and Gilbert very approachable. 

The other books in the series carry much the same scheme as this new one, but it's still a lot of fun to explore the various mythical creatures from the simple humor end as it pokes a bit of fun at the stories surrounding each one. Plus, Gilbert's jealousy makes it interesting to see what he'll try next...and how it always ends. 

I do see this one as a very fun read-aloud in a group setting and for smaller book cuddling as well.

And here he is...

If it was Alex Willan, and not Gilbert the Goblin, who was in charge of writing the stories, he’d make a book called Anchovies are the Worst!. Alex is the author-illustrator of Unicorns are the Worst!, Dragons are the Worst!, Yetis are the Worst!, and the Jasper & Ollie series, as well as the illustrator of Got Your Nose, written by Alan Katz. Alex lives in Chicago with his dog, Harley, who is the absolute best. Visit him online at AlexWillan.com.

Review: Dragons are the Worst! by Alex Willan

 

DRAGONS ARE THE WORST!

by Alex Willan

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

40 pages

COMING TOMORROW...

SEPTEMBER 7th!!!

Mo Willems meets Bob Shea in this uproariously funny picture book about Gilbert the Goblin from the creator of Unicorns Are the Worst!.

Gilbert the Goblin is absolutely, definitely, one-hundred-percent certain that dragons are the worst.

They burn down everything in sight and they hoard all the gold. They melt every ice cream cone within a mile radius, and everyone is afraid of them. But really, it’s the dragons who should be afraid of Gilbert and his tremendous goblin power!

…right?

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MY TIDBITS

Snorts, giggles and eye rolls are guaranteed when reading these pages!

This goblin has had enough when it comes to dragons. Everyone thinks they are scary and impressive, and they tend to forget how frightening and awe-inspiring goblins are. So, Gilbert the goblin is going to explain and prove how dragons aren't quite as great as everyone thinks. And while his plan backfires, it might not backfire after all.

Dragon lovers beware because this book tries to undermine everything you find awesome about the fantastical beasts. And to be honest, Gilbert is amazing in his own, little way. Humor is big in this book as the small Gilbert does his best to explain...and these are pretty logical...why dragons haven't earned their reputation. It's funny and cute and ends in a very unexpected way.

The illustrations are bright, bold and oh-so-dragon but for the intended audience level. They keep the atmosphere light and help build out the subtle humor. Goblin as well as dragon lovers will enjoy gazing through these.

Of course, there is an obvious message in these pages about learning to like yourself and embracing your own version of wonderfulness. While Gilbert explains why dragons aren't so cool, it's obvious that he's just trying to build himself up, and that his arguments really don't stand up as well as he might want them too. But this book also adds a fun twist at the end, which really raises Gilbert up and shows that anyone is capable of being amazing.

It's a fun read for more than just little dragon fans.

Review: Unicorns are the Worst! by Alex Willan

 Glittery, happy, gleeful unicorns! My own daughter still loves llamas, but these mystical creatures have taken over the shelves and hearts everywhere, it seems. So, when I saw this title, I knew I had to get my hands on it. 

Shh....(plus, the cover is glittery and sparkly and oh-so pretty! But we're not going to talk about that).

UNICORNS ARE THE WORST!

by Alex Willan

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 29th!!!

Perfect for fans of Dragons Love Tacos and Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great, this wildly funny and imaginative picture book celebrates the value of differences as a grumpy goblin gets to know his new unicorn neighbors.

It’s an undeniable fact that unicorns are the worst!

Magic is serious business, but all unicorns do is frolic around, have tea parties, and leave glitter all over the place! They’re nothing like goblins—practical and hard-working, who can put magic to good use! Unicorns aren’t helpful at all.

Or are they?

     

MY TIDBITS

With well founded, well grounded, and laid out facts, this little goblin tears apart all of the wonderful-ness that supposedly makes unicorns so special. And maybe not.

Between the glittery cover and the title (that so many of us will smirk at), this one demands attention and delivers with humorous finesse...or stumbles. The main character in these pages is a small, little, and surprisingly lovable goblin. He's hard-working, so determined, and not even mean in the slightest bit. His arguments ring true and that makes him easy to sympathize with. Even unicorn lovers can't totally ignore what he states. But this book is also more than that.

I enjoyed the fun in this one. It's not only arguments but quickly slides into an exciting and giggle worthy adventure. The illustrations and text work hand-in-hand to create a very lively tale, which definitely demands attention from unicorn lovers, haters and in-differents alike. This is one of those books to grab up and use as a read-aloud and know kids will listen. But then, with this cast of fun creatures, that's kind of a given. 


And here he is...

Alex Willan grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was seldom seen without his sketchbook in hand. His love of drawing led him to earn a BFA in illustration from Savannah College of Art and Design. Alex has exhibited in art galleries and has painted murals, theater sets, and squirmy kids' faces, but his true love has always been children's books. He lives in Chicago with his dog, Harley. Visit him online at AlexWillan.Com