The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! (Big Time!) by Troy Cummings

Cummings, Troy The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! (Big Time!) 40 pgs. Random House, 2010. PICTURE BOOK. $16.99. In this adaptation of the familiar children's song, the eensy weensy spider does not go up the spout again! The slippery waterspout scared this spider, but with the help of her ladybug friend, Polly, Eensy scales much more than a waterspout. From flower pots to dogs to rockets, this spider learns that the stars are the limit. With expressive insects and a retro, cartoonish flair, these illustrations, along with the text, are sure to entertain and encourage. EL-ADVISABLE. Whitney, Library-Teacher. 

Chomp of the Meat-Eating vegetables (The Notebook of Doom Book #4) by Troy Cummings –OPTIONAL

Cummings, Troy Chomp of the Meat-Eating vegetables (The Notebook of Doom Book #4) 96 pgs. Scholastic Inc, 2014. $4.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G

Alexander’s school is in an old, creepy hospital. Worse yet there are actual monsters, usually disguised as normal things. He and his friends have been battling the monsters for the past three books. In this fourth book, the school is freezing cold and things have changed in the cafeteria, they are only serving desserts! What is going on? Will they be able to rescue their friend Rip when he goes missing?

I realize this was supposed to be fun, silly, easy to read, and fast paced but I didn't care for it. It wasn't funny or interesting, as it was just one strange situation followed by another, that I didn't find funny or interesting. There is a reason that I don’t use Scholastic for my bookfairs and its because of junky filler books like this. If you need some easy chapter books, it wouldn't hurt to add this one, but if you are carefully budgeting for excellent books this wouldn’t be a great choice.

EL (K-3) –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Giddy-Up Daddy! by Troy Cummings- ADVISABLE

Cummings, Troy Giddy-Up, Daddy!  40 pgs.  Random House Books for Young Readers, 2013. $16.99 PICTURE BOOK.  

Every child loves to play horsey with daddy.  But the daddy in this story was so realistic in his creative play that he was mistaken for a real horse and kidnapped by horse thieves.  His kids are determined to find him and follow his path of hoof prints which lead them through a circus, a rodeo, a polo match and a racetrack!  

The illustrations are adorable.  The story is unique and quirky at times.  The author has quite a sense of imagination!  P

re-K.  EL (K-3).  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL.

Day of the Night Crawlers by Troy Cummings -- ESSENTIAL

Cummings, Troy The Notebook of Doom: Day of the Night Crawlers, 92 pgs. Scholastic, 2013. $4.99. Content: G.

In the second installment in The Notebook of Doom series, Alexander and his friend Rip try to find out more about the S.S.M.P. notebook they obtained in Rise of the Balloon Goons. Unfortunately, they don't have much time to search, because an infestation of worms and a very weird substitute teacher can only mean one thing: an imminent monster attack.

With its large type, short chapters, and illustrations on every page, Day of the Night Crawlers is perfect for children who are ready to graduate from picture books and early readers to chapter books. The abundance of goofiness and adventure will keep many kids' attention, although the best part is the table of contents, with its amusing list of chapter titles (including " A Nice, Worm Breakfast" and "Sword of a Big Deal"). Because this story grows from the previous one, it does not stand on its own. It also strongly hints at future stories.

EL -- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Caryn

Little Red Gliding Hood by Tara Lazar - ESSENTIAL

Lazar, Tara Little Red Gliding Hood, illustrated by Troy Cummings.  PICTURE BOOK.  Random House, 2015.  $17.

Red needs a partner for the skating competition, because her current skates have be spun, glided, and shushed to death.  All of the other fairy tale characters seemed to already be partnered up, so who is left for Red.  You might just be very surprised!

Ah!  So adorable!  An awesome melding of text and illustration.  And oh so much better if your children know their fairy tales and nursery rhymes.  What a fun time!

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

More Bears! by Kenn Nesbitt - ADVISABLE

Nesbitt, Kenn More Bears! illustrated by Troy Cummings. BOARD BOOK. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2017. $7.99 

A children's book author is interrupted in his story creation by an unseen audience constantly asking for 'More bears!' to be added to the story. Answering the call, the author introduces a myriad of bears in all shapes and sizes until there are finally just too many to fit and they all leave. This gives the author opportunity to then introduce 'More chickens!' 

This is a straight-up book of silly. There is no real story here, just a lot of silly fluff that younger readers will giggle at and enjoy for what it is. As an adult reader I was a little confused at first, but on a second go-round I could see how kids would find the interactions between the author and his audience as incredibly funny and enjoyable. 

Pre-K, EL (K-3)--ADVISABLE. Reviewer: TC

Mighty Truck by Chris Barton - ADVISABLE

Barton, Chris Mighty Truck, illustrated by Troy Cummings PICTURE BOOK. Harper Collins, 2016. $17.99. Content: G.

Clarence the truck is always getting dirty.  One day, while in the car wash, lightning strikes and Clarence becomes “Mighty Truck” helping friends, rescuing cats and saving the day.  No one recognizes him because of his amazing transformation, but lightning strikes again, just in time - because Clarence prefers to be dirty and to NOT have super powers.  

This is a great picturebook for the monster truck lover.  Large colorful pictures, lots of things to point at, and a great story that keeps the reader guessing what will happen next.  This will definitely become a favorite - so much fun!  

EL (K-3) ADVISABLE  Lisa Librarian