Tuesday, November 26, 2013

The Creature Department: Book Review, Character Interview, and Book Giveaway!

Author: Robert Paul Weston

Age Range: 8-12

Grade Level: 3-7

Series: The Creature Department (Book 1)

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Razorbill (November 5, 2013)

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy/Science Fiction

Source: Wunderkind PR for review.

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars






About the Book:


A hidden laboratory…

A brilliant invention…

A team of quite unusual creatures…

But can they save the department?

Elliot Von Doppler and his friend Leslie think nothing ever happens in Bickleburgh, except inside the gleaming headquarters of DENKi-3000—the world’s fifth-largest electronics factory.

Beneath the glass towers and glittering skywalks, there's a rambling old mansion from which all the company’s amazing inventions spring forth. And no one except Uncle Archie knows what’s behind the second-to-last door at the end of the hall.

Until Elliot and Leslie are invited to take a glimpse inside.

They find stooped, troll-like creatures with jutting jaws and broken teeth; tiny winged things that sparkle as they fly; and huge, hulking, hairy nonhumans (with horns). It is unlike anything they’ve ever seen!

But when Chuck Brickweather threatens to shut down the DENKi-3000 factory if a new product isn’t presented soon, the creatures know they are in danger. And when Uncle Archie vanishes, it’s up to Elliot, Leslie, and every one of the unusual, er, "employees" to create an invention so astonishing it will save The Creature Department.

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Praise:

"A literal Creature feature, with plenty of cinematic and digital spinoff potential." --Kirkus

"The Creature Department is sure to appeal to those middle graders who like a lot of silliness, a bit of rickum rockery, and a giggle of grossness..." -- NY Journal of Books

“The language is fun, the mood slightly macabre, and the imagination explosive." --This is Infamous

“Filled with wonder and populated by strange beings. In other words, it’s pretty frickin’ great.” —Geeksmash

"Underneath the eccentric creatures... eerie-yet-fun hidden laboratories, and whirring gizmos and gadgets, the appeal of The Creature Department lies within its more human values: friendship, being true to one’s dreams, standing up for what you think is right, and never giving up." --GeekMom



About the Author:

Robert Paul Weston lives in London, England, in a crumbling old building, hidden behind shiny glass towers. He isn't sure if this is where the idea for DENKi-3000 Headquarters came from, but it's certainly possible. In 2008, he published his first novel-in-verse, Zorgamazoo, recipient of the California Young Reader’s Medal, the Silver Birch Award, the Children’s Choice Award, and an E.B. White Read Aloud Honor. His second novel was the hardboiled fairy tale, Dust City, which was nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. In February 2013, he published Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff. Although he writes all of his books with a mechanical pencil, it's not electric and doesn't come with a telescopic lens. To learn even more about him, go to: www.robertpaulweston.com or follow him on Twitter @RPWeston. 



About the Illustrations:

Framestore is a visual effects studio based in London, New York, Los Angeles, and most recently Montreal. Their work can be seen in all eight of the Harry Potter films, Where the Wild Things, War Horse, and The Golden Compass, for which they won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. In New York, they recently worked on Ben Stiller’s new version of Walter Mitty. In London, they worked on Paddington Bear; Gravity, starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock; the samurai epic 47 Ronin, starring Keanu Reeves; and Jupiter Ascending by The Wachowskis. Iron Man 3 and Robocop were produced in Montreal. For more information, go to www.framestore.com.



Character Interview with Gugor the Knucklecrumpler:


How long have you worked in the Creature Department at DENKI-3000?
Gügor has worked for the professor for eight years and two months and twelve days.

What's the best thing about being a Knucklecrumpler?
Squashing stuff. And wearing a loin cloth. Loin cloths are very comfortable.

What is the weirdest thing you have ever squashed?
Gügor once squashed a squash racket, when Harrumphrey invited Gügor to play a game with him. Harrumphrey was angry, but  Gügor doesn't know why. If you don't want people to squash the rackets, why would you call them that?

Does Famous Freddy's Dim Sum Emporium serve anything other than pork dumplings? If yes, what is your favorite?
There are 298 items on the menu at Famous Freddy's Dim Sum Emporium, but Gügor doesn't have a favourite because Gügor only likes pork dumplings.

If you could squash any character in the book, who would it be?
Gügor only squashes machines. Oh, but maybe some ghorks. Gügor doesn't like ghorks.

What is your opinion on fishing vests?  Dapper or dud?
Gügor likes vests. They go well with loin clothes.

Are you working on any new inventions in the Rickum Ruckem Room?
Gügor is working on a brand new electrombone. It's made from a tuba, two coronets, some plumbing pipes and the engine from a tractor.



My Thoughts on The Creature Department:

Fantastic adventure! This is a delightful and kid-friendly romp through a mysterious company that invents amazing things. The Creature Department encompasses everything that appeals to kids. Monsters, crazy inventions, flying boogers, finger pulling (with the accompanying fart), and some high flying superhero action. This book is funny, complex, interesting, and wildly entertaining.

It starts off a little slow, but gets interesting very quickly. The characters are a lot of fun and each one has a unique personality that makes them memorable. I love the choices in each character's clothing. Elliot's fishing vest caused me to laugh on more than one occasion.

There is a lot of action in the second half of the book and a lot of surprises that kids will love.  The only thing I didn't really like about the book was the predictable way things wrapped up. It is a very fun book for kids, but I would have liked to see it be a little less predictable. But in all honesty, I doubt if the kids that read this book will have the same (if any) complaint. This is a super fun book that kids will absolutely love.

Content: Clean, unless you find farting offensive. ;)





Giveaway Details:


1 hardcover copy of The Creature Department

Open to the US

Must be 13 or older to enter

Ends 12/10/2013

Winner must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 comments:

  1. This book totally intrigues me. I think I will have to pick up a copy. Thanks for joining us on the Kid Lit Blog Hop

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  2. I confess I'm not eligible for this givv eaway - but I' love to read it! Great idea. :)

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  3. What a great idea for a book. I love it! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Yay! I won! I can't wait to read and share this adventure!!! Thanks so much!

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