ABSOLUTELY BEASTLY CHILDREN

This rhyming alphabet romp revels in its own outrageous behavior. From A to Z, or Andy to Zachary, all 26 children display beastly actions, which (one must hope) teach readers what not  to do. Rhythmic couplets range from tame to giddily gross: “G is for Gertrude who stays up too late,” while “H is for Hameed who won’t wash his plate.” And, “W is for Wendy. She is very loud,” while “X is for Xander who farts in a crowd.” Krall’s frenzied caricatures of each child are covered in green, smelly stenches, fuming red anger lines or drippy, sticky messes. Esther's hands (she won't wash them) are green and oozy, and their fumes have attracted flies; mad Martha, who belongs in a zoo, foams at the mouth as she trembles with rage. It’s Garbage Pail Kids reincarnated. Readers might not revel in spotting their own names on the pages, but poking fun at siblings and friends is guaranteed. Equal opportunists will be delighted to know that a beastly nature is found in both boys and girls, as well as in children of all ethnicities. (Picture book. 4-8)