Frankenstein Takes the Cake

by: Adam Rex

Published by: Harcourt

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

First let me say right off the top that this book is fabulous. Fabulously illustrated. Flawless cadence. And funny—oh, my—it is hilarious. For adults. If this book was marketed to grown-ups, it would get five stars, hands down. Filled with Frankenstein getting married, Edgar Allen Poe having writer’s block, and a blog by the Headless Horseman, along with weight loss for witches and other monster nonsense, adults will get quite a bit of entertainment, and more so with each reading.

But what about the kids? My children love Adam Rex’s Tree Ring Circus and even most of Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich (aside from the witches that they find incredibly creepy), but halfway through the first reading of Frankenstein Takes the Cake they were totally done and haven’t asked for it since.

I’ve read it over and over again to put my finger on what the difference is. I have come to the conclusion that they just don’t get it. Not Tipper Gore. Not mother’s-in-law. Not caterers or blogs. And not the fabulously funny end pages. It is all over their heads. And unlike Looney Tunes, which is also filled with adult humor, this book doesn’t appeal to their childishness.

So I guess you just need to ask who your audience is. This could be a great coffee table book, or bathroom book, if you are in to creepy things in creepy months, and love subtlety. But I’d give it a second thought if you plan to hand it to your elementary-aged child or read it to preschoolers. Go for his earlier works instead.

Armchair Interviews says: Age appropriateness is questioned.