Reading With The Little One: "Twelve Terrible Things" by Marty Kelley
by Jenners • 10/28/2009 • Children's Books • 19 Comments
that grabbed my Little One’s
interest and imagination
(and mine too!) In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted to spotlight this book:
Title: Twelve Terrible ThingsAuthor and Illustrator: Marty Kelley
ISBN: 978-1-58246-229-5
Publisher: Tricycle Press, 2008
Genre: Children’s Book
Inspired work of dark humor!
-Christopher Moore, the best-selling author of Lamb: The Gospel According To Biff
As I recently discovered the comic genius that is Christopher Moore (and have been steadily acquiring his books in recent months), I thought “Cool! But I wonder if this is too intense or sophisticated for the Little One.”
It wasn’t…he loved it and he “got it.” (I want him to have a dark sense of humor so bad. Is that wrong to want for your child?). I thought it was a masterpiece—ideal for grown-ups and kids alike. I think the very best children’s books and movies are those that can appeal to both kids and grown-ups, and this book is one of those that gets it just right. This book is as appealing to an adult as it would be to a 13-year-old or a 5-year-old.
The illustrations are filled with fun little details, and both of us loved the perspective of the pictures—each scenario seems like it is happening to the reader. And it is obvious that Marty Kelley is in touch with what it is like to be a kid—he hasn’t forgotten what is “terrible” from a child’s perspective.
But why should I blather on and on about it, see the genius that is the book for yourself!
This is the first “terrible” thing.As soon as I saw it, I knew I was in for a treat!
Probably the most “classically” scary page in the book.
The Little One and I pored over this page.
We thought the hand behind the curtain was the scariest!
Apologies to anyone who is a dentist or dental hygienist,
but this is truly a terrible thing!
This was probably my favorite.
I don’t know if you can see it, but there are black hairs
growing out of her chin! Classic!
I love, love, love the reactions of the kids!
Just proves my long-held belief that clowns are evil.
I bet Marty Kelley read Stephen King’s It at some point!
I had to include this one for my blogging buddy Kisatrtle,
who recently started working as a cafeteria lady!
This is your future! HAHAHA!
I adore the perspective in this one!
Can’t you just smell that sock?
I read this book a few days ago, and it is a good book, fun dark and ironic humor, but I do not get why some of the things in this book are so terrible, namely the ice cream on the ground, and the lunch lady pouring the gravy. Truthfully, none of the things seem so terrible to me, except #8, I don’t know why precisely, but that page gives me the willies, it really does, but as said, it is a good book.
Well, if you love ice cream, losing it on the ground is a terrible thing!! And I think the joke of the lunch lady is that she is kind of creepy looking. I just loved that book — thanks for reminding me about this post.
Losing your ice cream would be bad, I will give you that, and the lunch lady does look, well strange, but probably would not be as nerve wrecking as the clown at your birthday party, or your folks glaring at you on an exhausting car trip. I can understand why Marty suggested some of these, but I cannot understand the car trip one, maybe you are exhausted, or anticipated with excitement, or trying to agitate everyone by asking if you arrived yet repeatedly, I don’t know. Still, it’s a good book, and don’t get me wrong, Marty is a wonderful author, I also have a fun and twisted sense of ironic humor, and like someone said in the comments, I, too, am a devoted Stephen King fan.
This book looks wonderful! I love the illustrations. Too bad my son is almost 16 now…he would have loved this one back in the day!
That looks like such a cute book!
I'm trying to work on my book blog…feel free to stop by!
toreadandreview.blogspot.com
I love books like this that promote discussion about what is scary.
I'm not sure why gravy is scary? Or is that the point? Some are and some aren't?
I hate clowns…
This looks like a winner for a wee one I need a Christmas gift for. Thanks!
The illustrations are so great in these books–love them
BTW: Thanks for the Kindle feedback; appreciated.
Great idea for a book! And it's wonderful to want your child to have a wicked sense of humour
Thanks for all those reviews – I love this theme, could we have some more please?
I particularly liked the inclusion of the pictures. It's good to see that there are so many wonderful illustrators as well as authors out there.
My son and I both have a dark sense of humor.
As for Stephen King, LOVE HIM!!
This looks like a really neat book and I'll be checking my library for it.
Thanks for including so many pictures of the inside pages! This looks like a great book. If it wasn't for the scary things under the bed page I would run to the library and get it right now. Maybe when my kid's a little bit older, but right now that would freak him out.
this looks so funny!!!! i'm going to pick it up for my nephew…he'll have a laugh!
as for c. moore–love him! where have you been hiding that you haven't read him. tee hee. i love the vampire ones set in san fran. try them!
This looks great! I love the 5th one too. My cheeks still hurt, centuries later, from being pinched!
This book looks wonderful! Kaylee loves looking at her books and will be occupied with them, even on her own, for long periods of time. But, she's still too young yet to really sit and enjoy listening to the actual story. It's more about turning the pages and pointing at pictures or laughing at certain noises or words.I am SO looking forward to the time when I can read her actual STORIES and we can talk about books and enjoy silly stuff like this. Do you you guys read those books about the farting dog? I forget what they're called…Thanks for sharing this book!
That made me laugh outloud! Love the lunch lady pic!
I'm not sure I know what black humor is but, if it's this book, then I have it. I laughed out loud at every page! Tell your Little One thank you for picking out such a fun book. I'm checking our library.
I remember how my oldest son would freak when he would see a clown. Once in a mall elevator, he almost hyperventilated when a clown got on. That picture in the book would probably still secretly freak him out! Great review. I think my other two boys would get a kick out of it
what a cute book. My kids favorite was "Big Pumpkin"