Children's Book Review: Substitute Creacher by Chris Gall

 

 

ISBN: 9780316089159

Published by: LITTLE BROWN BKS YOUNG READERS

Genre: JUVENILE FICTION

Published on: 7/20/2011

Format: HARDCOVER BOOK

Subformat: PICTURE BOOK/NOVELTY

Summary:

The troublemaking students in Ms. Jenkins's class don't expect a SUBSTITUTE CREACHER  to show up in their classroom. Meet Chris Gall's seven-tentacled, yellow-spotted, one-eyed monster that's sure to thrill everyone from parents and teachers to monster-loving kids. But not even the Substitute Creacher can change the students’ wicked ways; at least, not until he reveals the spookiest and most surprising story of all—his own. Great for keeping young minds afresh throughout the summer, with a proper scare to boot!

My Review:

I was familiar with Chris Gall for his illustrations and couldn't wait to read his new book and see how he chose to illustrate the story.  I have to say, Chris Gall does an amazing job with his illustrations.  The story reads in rhyme and the illustrations are done in a comic book like fashion.  This was a great way to draw in the reader.  I let a few friends read this book to their sons and they just loved it.  Even though the front cover may look frightening to some small children, the story will not scare or overwhelm them.  Children will be eager for you to turn the page to see what happens next and see the amazing illustrations done by Chris.  This is a great book to add to the summer reading list, or if your children (boys and girls alike) like quirky and mischievous tales.

I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by Chris Gall.

 

About the Author:

Chris Gall has been drawing pictures and writing stories for as long as he can remember. When he was caught drawing pictures on his desk in second grade, his teacher made him clean all the desks in the classroom. She suggested that he might be an artist someday. He won a Read Magazine Young Writer's Award in 7th grade, and that inspired him to write stories to go with his art. In college he decided to become an illustrator for a living and he has been creating artwork ever since. His artwork has been seen in almost every publication in America, including Time, Newsweek, People, Fortune, The New York Times, and the Washington Post. He has won over 50 major awards from such organizations as Communication Arts Magazine and the Society of Illustrators. He has been an adjunct professor of art at the University of Arizona, he loves to restore classic cars, he pilots all kinds of airplanes, and he even spent 4 years as a professional stand-up comedian.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.