DRAGON PUNCHER

Another quirky offering from the man behind the Johnny Boo series. Three unconventional characters populate this small charmer: Dragon Puncher, the moody, aloof hero of the tale (modeled after Kochalka’s cat, Spandy), Spoony-E, Dragon Puncher’s young, perky, monster sidekick (who bears the likeness of Kochalka’s son, Eli), and the fearsome dragon (the author himself). When Dragon Puncher meets up with Spoony-E and his wooden spoony-spoon, the young monster sees what Dragon Puncher does not—that the hero needs his help to defeat the menacing, drooling dragon. The more Dragon Puncher resists his appeals, the more Spoony-E persists. This is hardly a new formula, but it’s a winning one. A novel mix of photographs and illustration, this unique little gem is chockfull of giggles. The three main characters’ carefully selected Photoshopped expressions are grin-worthy; the author’s grimacing expressions as the dragon are priceless. With its vivid palette and rampant silliness, this work should enrapture young readers. Effervescently bizarre.  (Graphic fiction. 6-10)