Synopses & Reviews
Its the adventure of a lifetime when best friendsand self-proclaimed superheroesdefeat bad guys of their own invention.
Its wonk em time when Bucky and Stu have to stand up to Phat Tyre, TrashMan and Hose-Nose. No matter that the bad guys are all made out of household items that Bucky and Stu have assembled themselvesthese bad guys dont stand a chance against the boys power moves. Still, its quite a surprise when their latest villain, the giant Mikanikal Man, gets zapped during a lightning storm and comes to life! The battleand thrillof a lifetime ensue. Full of surprises and laughs, this upbeat, action-packed story celebrates imagination, creativity, and friendship in even the most unexpected forms. Cornelius Van Wrights hilarious illustrations are full of surprises and are perfect for portraying the high-speed antics of two enthusiastic boys.
Review
“A story involving misunderstandings, overactive imaginations, and ‘verometric outerhull stabilizers. . . . Van Wrights pencil-and-watercolor artwork [invigorates] the story with action and comedy, from J.T. and Aliks muddy first encounter to their eventual realization that they have much in common.” Publishers Weekly
Review
* “A hilarious romp with easy, breezy language that captures the essence of little boys (or little alligators). . . . Large-scale watercolor-and-pencil illustrations are appropriately goofy and perfectly depict the high-speed action and the rampant emotions of the characters. Small details add to the fun. . . . Total laugh-out-loud joy.” Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Review
“Watercolor and pencil illustrations in a cartoon style match the pairs preferred reading material. . . . The simple, direct narrative will appeal to reluctant readers.” School Library Journal
Synopsis
Could two little boys who scare each other silly ever become friends?
When Alik and Boi accidentally bump into each other at the pond, they arent exactly thrilled. In fact, theyre terrified! Boi thinks Alik is a swamp monster, and Alik thinks Boi is a space alien. Both run home in a panic to share their news, but their families dont believe them. If only Alik and Boi can drum up the courage to venture back outside, they just might cross paths again and realize how much they have in common.
With an encouraging message about second chances and looking past appearances, this delightfully absurd story about two very different-looking adventurers is full of laugh-out-loud, action-packed fun. Its perfect for fans of funny books like Shark vs. Train and Children Make Terrible Pets.
About the Author
Cornelius Van Wright (www.corneliusvanwright.com) has illustrated numerous picture books, including several he co-illustrated with his wife, Ying Hwa-Hu, including Princess Grace (by Mary Hoffman), Sam and the Lucky Money (by Karen Chinn), and Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree (by William Miller). His work has appeared on Reading Rainbow and Storytime and has been exhibited with the Society of Illustrators. He lives in New York City.