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rainbowbookworm's review
3.0
Slightly perturbing, which makes sense since it is an homage to Maurice Sendak.
little_silver's review
1.0
I don't understand this one. It should have been either pure metaphor or pure silliness. The weird combo it is just doesn't work for me.
jessalynn_librarian's review
4.0
October 2019 - I love dark books like this, that are really all about our feelings and how we deal with them, and how sometimes our instincts are a little blood-thirsty. Ben had looked through this one before I read it, and he basically got the plot from the illustrations - and like me, he seemed to delight in the whole thing.
jesstele's review
2.0
Odd. Creepy. Kind of funny at the end. Just not my cup of tea and neither of my kids loved it.
wordnerd153's review
2.0
If you like confusing story lines and unsatisfying endings, then this is the book for you! Jim wakes up one morning feeling rather beastly, which makes sense since he has somehow morphed into a lion. He pads down the stairs for breakfast and decides to devour his mother instead of the pancakes she has whipped up. Unfortunately, Jim is still hungry. Famished in fact. He heads out the door and ends up chomping down several more people and a dog, but he still can’t satisfy his stomach. Standing on the edge of the cliff, Jim becomes contemplative, wondering how he will ever soothe his grumbling stomach, when a bear comes out of nowhere and attacks. In a rather frightening spread, Jim leaps toward the bear with his claws out and mouth open. After gobbling up the bear Jim heads home, vomiting up all of the people he had swallowed earlier, including his dazed mother. Back in his bedroom Jim transforms back into a boy who is unsure what to do with the bear he brought home. He ends up eating the bear and doesn’t feel bad about it at all. The theme of this picture book is unclear and some of the language and imagery may be a bit strong for young readers.
molliebrarian's review
4.0
The Sendak influence is palpable, and the creators acknowledge this at the end. I thought it was really fun!
periparaparasakura's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tashrow's review against another edition
4.0
Jim wakes up one morning not feeling quite himself, after all he doesn’t usually have a tail to swish. His mother calls that she’s made pancakes for breakfast, but Jim isn’t in the mood for pancakes. He’s feeling beastly, so he heads downstairs for something delicious to eat, his mother! Jim is still hungry after that and heads out into the small town, munching on person after person. It’s not until he meets a hungry bear in the woods and Jim himself may be eaten that he manages to stop. On the way back, he spits out each of the people he ate. But he may not quite be done devouring things after all.
Everyone has some beasty part of their nature. This picture book captures that with a great sense of humor. It has connections to classic stories of gorging, but doesn’t end in quite the expected way, which is delightful. The creators mention Maurice Sendak in their dedication, and one immediately can connect this story with his. There is a great moment towards the end of the book where Jim returns to being human, but not entirely. It’s a reminder that even if we appear human, that beast still lingers and is hungry.
The art by Groenink has a distinct Sendak feel in its lines and color palette. The woods takes on a Wild Things vibe in its drama. The devouring is done in a very fairy tale style with no gore, just gulping, which takes the scariness away and also ties this nicely to classic stories like Little Red Riding Hood.
A book that is sure to appeal to your little beast. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Everyone has some beasty part of their nature. This picture book captures that with a great sense of humor. It has connections to classic stories of gorging, but doesn’t end in quite the expected way, which is delightful. The creators mention Maurice Sendak in their dedication, and one immediately can connect this story with his. There is a great moment towards the end of the book where Jim returns to being human, but not entirely. It’s a reminder that even if we appear human, that beast still lingers and is hungry.
The art by Groenink has a distinct Sendak feel in its lines and color palette. The woods takes on a Wild Things vibe in its drama. The devouring is done in a very fairy tale style with no gore, just gulping, which takes the scariness away and also ties this nicely to classic stories like Little Red Riding Hood.
A book that is sure to appeal to your little beast. Appropriate for ages 3-5.