Friday, March 6, 2009

Review: Johnny Boo: Twinkle Power

by James Kochalka, 2009, Top Shelf, 40 pages, $9.95

The second Johnny Boo book is just as much of a delight for my three-year-old son as the first volume (which I reviewed here).

This time around, Johnny Boo and his buddy Squiggle get into a spat that can only be resolved by Johnny flipping up his hair, which Squiggle thinks is hilarious. Squiggle heads off to visit the stars, while Johnny encounters the Ice Cream Monster (also featured in volume one). Soon, the three characters have a grand time inventing "wiggle power."



My son finds the story fascinating and funny, and the simple, straightforward cartooning is easy to follow. Kochalka has a good handle on what kids like to read about, whether it's ice cream and burping (volume one), or silly hairstyles and butt wiggling:



The comic won't drive you nuts even after multiple readings, which is always a big plus when you're dealing with books aimed at little children. For the next volume, I wouldn't mind reading a story that has a real beginning, middle, and end (right now it seems like they sort of wander and things just happen), or perhaps seeing Johnny Boo and Squiggle meet a new character, but I think my son would happily follow them anywhere.

You can buy the book from Top Shelf here or from Amazon: Johnny Boo: Twinkle Power

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Related -- my reviews of other Top Shelf books:
Disclaimer: This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

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