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Benton, Jim
7 Reviews
(4)
4-6
In this over-the-top send-up of typical parenting clichés, Benton pits deviously clever children against clueless adults. Having stumbled upon the official handbook grownups have used for ages in an attempt to control their offspring, Jack and friends spearhead a sabotage plan. Matters escalate into a sci-fi/espionage adventure before everyone recognizes that love conquers all. The grating stereotypes don't outweigh the kid-pleasing humor.
Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin
(4)
PS
"Once there was a bear named Donut. And he burped. The end." Or so the narrator thinks, but Donut refuses to leave. Benton's playful page design leaves ample empty (yellow) space, as his cartoonish blue bear pokes his head from the side, trying to return. Young readers may enjoy Donut's silly attempts to prolong the story, which fizzles out at the end (really).
Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan
(4)
1-3
Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist series.
Franny is again up to no good, running for class president in her continued effort to take over (at least part of) the world. Franny creates a suit that changes voters' perceptions of her, but it may have evil plans of its own. Predictable but funny, this series will continue to entertain young mad-scientists-in-training.
Reviewer: Betsy Murray
(4)
1-3
Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist series.
When going to bagpipe lessons, soccer practice, and gourmet cooking class becomes too much, young mad scientist Franny K. Stein builds three Franbots--robot replicas of herself. But something goes awry, and the Franbots are determined to destroy anyone (including Franny) who interferes with their mission. The cartoon illustrations tend to crowd the pages, but they do add humor and personality.
Reviewer: Mark Adam
(4)
1-3
Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist series.
When everyone at school learns Franny's middle name (Kissypie), she becomes a laughingstock. Franny goes back in time to change her name, but her visit has disastrous consequences, proven when she time travels to the future and meets her evil teen-self. While the cartoon illustrations compete for space with the fast-paced text, both are rich in humor and personality.
Reviewer: Mark Adam
(4)
1-3
Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist series.
As Valentine's Day approaches, ghoulish Franny acquires a lab assistant--a mutt named Igor--who accidentally brings a picture of Cupid to life and then enlarges him. Franny must then catch this big, big baby as he rampages through town. Comic-book-style illustrations overwhelm the slight text, but those who like slapstick (and occasionally gross) humor should enjoy this silly offering.
Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta
(4)
1-3
Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist series.
Ghoulish Franny, who has a laboratory in her bedroom and keeps spiders for pets, hopes to win friends by concocting a potion that will turn her into a more conventional girl. When a classroom catastrophe occurs, Franny reverts to her old self and saves the school. Comic-book illustrations overwhelm the brief text, whose gross-out humor and gimmicky flip-action section seem to imitate Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants books.
Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta
7 reviews
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