Publishers Weekly Review
Sanders's (Ruby Rose: Off to School She Goes) sendup of a rampaging toddler is both cute and gross-kind of like toddlers themselves. A news announcer opens: "Big, bad trouble in Megalopolis. This is Channel 15 News reporting, and... one moment, please." A dark blue shadow falls over the reporter: "Oh, no! A soft, squishy monster has escaped into the city!" Caldecott Medalist Santat (The Adventures of Beekle) draws an adorably tubby dinosaur child who farts ("Rodzilla is shooting... stink-rays!") and pukes ("Bleck! He's hurled an attack!"). After Rodzilla face-plants, tears glimmer in his eyes and the vehicles of Megalopolis are momentarily revealed as the toys they are. Although the destruction continues, there's nothing scary about Santat's broad visual comedy. Like his cinematic counterpart, Rodzilla grabs vehicles and climbs buildings, but fortunately, two adults (Rodney's doting parents) step in to rescue him from himself. Sanders's faux horror and Santat's exuberant, richly colored spreads pour on the mayhem. Don't read this aloud anywhere kids are expected to stay quiet. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. Illustrator's agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. |
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Ah, toddlers-those cherubic faces, squishy bellies, and chubby legs! Parents can't help but want to love and kiss them. But toddlerhood is full of many messy parts. The diaper odors, the drool and vomit, and the mercurial mood swings. Saunders and Santat convey the messiness, impulsivity, recklessness, and joy of toddlerhood by creating a toddler/monster named Rodzilla. Rodzilla is a bright green combination of a dinosaur, Godzilla, King Kong, and a toddler, and he is out to wreak havoc on his city. Rodzilla roars his rage, shoots stink-rays, hurls an attack of yellow gunk, and belly flops before accidentally pricking his finger while climbing a tall tower. The resulting tears cause a flood and prompt the arrival of the heroes of our tale-Mom and Dad. As Rodzilla calls out to his parents, he changes from a huge green monster to a happy little toddler who has merely been playing with his toys and creating a giant mess in his living room. Kids will gravitate to Santat's marvelously clever and animated illustrations; they capture perfectly the changing emotions of Rodzilla, and the expressions on the faces of the fleeing civilians (later revealed to be just toys) are hysterical and priceless. The vibrant colors are just right for the story of a toddler/monster who is alternatively destructive and tearful. VERDICT An engaging and humorous picture book for young children and their parents to share together.-Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, CA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |