The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John, illustrated by Kevin Cornell, 224 pp, RL 4
The Terrible Two is the first book in new series created by authors with serious pedigrees in kid's books and humor, Mac Barnett and Jory John and perfectly, illustrated by self-proclaimed "mediocre illustrator and humorist," Kevin Cornell. As a parent, bookseller, composer of personalized book lists and librarian, I get asked for funny books all the time. Unfortunately, writing (good) funny kids books is almost as hard as writing a really great mystery book for kids. Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid books have dominated this small genre of comedic kid's books (as well as the bulk of the kid's book market in general) and given kids a craving for more. A lot of authors have had a good ride on Kinney's coattails and, even better, Kinney's rising tide has floated some really great writer's boats, specifically the spectacular Tom Angleberger, and now Barnett and John, who were inspired by two childhood favorites of mine - John D. Fitzgerald's Great Brain series and the Steve Martin, Michael Caine movie remake, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.


Source: Review Copy