Tourist Trap (2) (Edgar & Ellen) - Hardcover

Ogden, Charles

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1416914110 ISBN 13: 9781416914112

Publisher: Aladdin, 2006

Synopsis

Where tourists are the toast of the town.

The Nod's Limbs Junkyard -- also known as the Gadget Graveyard -- is where Edgar and Ellen scavenge essential parts for their nefarious plots. So when Mayor Knightleigh announces plans to build a luxury hotel on the site, the twins spring into action.

The mayor has invited a group of celebrities to Nod's Limbs for the first annual French Toast Festival, but the twins are concocting a scheme to send potential tourists screaming in the opposite direction. Can Edgar and Ellen get sweet revenge and save the Gadget Graveyard?

About this title

Review:

The scheming, spiteful little antiheroes of Rare Beasts--terrible twins Edgar and Ellen, a sort of Pugsley and Wednesday Addams duo--return for a second book in Charles Ogden's goth-themed, tongue-in-cheek series.

Tourist Trap begins as Edgar and Ellen revel in their gloriously sinister home and the nearby "Gadget Graveyard," ripe with possibilities for misanthropic mischief. But the twins' beloved junkyard--and even their towering, mansion home--might be threatened by the pretentious plans of pompous Mayor Knightleigh, who hopes to get the town of Nod's Limbs on the National Registry of Historic Treasures. Edgar and Ellen, of course, immediately set out to thwart the mayor's plans by sabotaging a visiting tour of VIPs with monster attacks, insect sandwiches, and even a devilishly clever scheme involving the biggest piece of French toast in the universe.

The fun format--forty-four short chapters, interspersed with Rick Carton's creepily cool pen-and-ink illustrations--makes for a quick read, and while the while the book never quite reaches Lemony Snicket levels of genius, kids will still love the many jokes and the twins' escalating, Grinch-style meanness (which, thankfully, never gets too mean). Watch for a third installment, Under Town. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

From the Author:

Charles Ogden is an avid camper and fisherman. He collects insects and has traveled in pursuit of various specimens to the North Pole, the Souh Pole, and Poland. Mr. Ogden and his insect collection make their home in a cool, dry, preservation-friendly environment, far removed from prying eyes.

Rick Carton has been drawing longer than he's been walking. In his Chicago studio he has a cherished collection of every pencil ever worn down to a nub during his lengthy artistic career. He has never formally studed art; instead, the art community has diligently studied him. They are yet to release their findings.

About this edition

• Publisher: Aladdin
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1416914110
• ISBN 13: 9781416914112
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 176
• Illustrator: Carton Rick