Rodzilla - Hardcover

Sanders, Rob

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1481457799 ISBN 13: 9781481457798

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2017

Synopsis

This just in! There’s a Rodzilla on the loose! Is he a monster…or just your typical toddler? Tune in for the full report in this riotous picture book from Rob Sanders and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat.

Rodzilla is the mightiest toddler to ever roam the streets of the city. Marvel at the sight of his chubby monstrosity. Gaze at his toothless grin. Take a whiff of his…no, don’t do that. Only a mother could love such a creature.

Rodzilla is taking over the city (that is really his playpen) and causing all sorts of chaos for its inhabitants (um, his parents). Can he be stopped before he toddles one step too far? Told as an action-packed news report, kids will love following Rodzilla on his mighty tear through the city, and ultimately back to his parents’ arms. Because sometimes even monsters need a little help.

About this title

About the Author

Rob Sanders is a writer who teaches and a teacher who writes. Every day he goes to Mintz Elementary School in Brandon, Florida, to teach students about books and words and reading and writing. Then he heads back home to write fierce and funny picture books for kids. Rob likes to grow things, teach things, learn things, and read things. He’s definitely an earthbound human, but he has high-flying ideas, hopes, and dreams. Nothing gets him soaring quite as much as hearing boys and girls say, “Read it again!” Visit Rob’s website at RobSandersWrites.com. 
 

Dan Santat is the Caldecott Medal–winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, as well as the illustrator of many other picture books, including Crankenstein by Samantha Berger. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and various pets.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—Ah, toddlers—those cherubic faces, squishy bellies, and chubby legs! Parents can't help but want to love and kiss them. But toddlerhood is full of many messy parts. The diaper odors, the drool and vomit, and the mercurial mood swings. Saunders and Santat convey the messiness, impulsivity, recklessness, and joy of toddlerhood by creating a toddler/monster named Rodzilla. Rodzilla is a bright green combination of a dinosaur, Godzilla, King Kong, and a toddler, and he is out to wreak havoc on his city. Rodzilla roars his rage, shoots stink-rays, hurls an attack of yellow gunk, and belly flops before accidentally pricking his finger while climbing a tall tower. The resulting tears cause a flood and prompt the arrival of the heroes of our tale—Mom and Dad. As Rodzilla calls out to his parents, he changes from a huge green monster to a happy little toddler who has merely been playing with his toys and creating a giant mess in his living room. Kids will gravitate to Santat's marvelously clever and animated illustrations; they capture perfectly the changing emotions of Rodzilla, and the expressions on the faces of the fleeing civilians (later revealed to be just toys) are hysterical and priceless. The vibrant colors are just right for the story of a toddler/monster who is alternatively destructive and tearful. VERDICT An engaging and humorous picture book for young children and their parents to share together.—Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, CA

Edition details

• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1481457799
• ISBN 13: 9781481457798
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Santat Dan
• Number of pages: 48