Gnarbunga

PreS-K–Gnarbunga is a friendly, black sludgy creature that emerges from a “mucky, messy hole in the ground.” Drawn as a wobbly inkblot with google eyes, he has sharp teeth but a winning smile. As he makes his slimy way through the neighborhood, he is popular with children, who delight in rolling in the tar that he spreads. However, “some people” (i. e., adults) “were not so happy to get icky.” The children push Gnarbunga to find a hobby to channel his energy more productively, and he chooses skateboarding. The language of the text is extremely simple throughout until the skateboarding section, which has slangy terms such as “boneless” or “invert.” Drawn digitally, the illustrations use solid blocks of three striking colors: black, lavender, and mustard yellow. Despite the lack of detail, the characters emote powerfully, and children will laugh out loud at expressions of outrage from people soaked in tar. Gnarbunga is equally expressive. In his more rebellious moments, he seems wonderfully wicked. Without being preachy, Bromley encourages youth to direct their wild energy in a disciplined way. He methodically details the necessary skateboard safety equipment, such as kneepads. Children will cheer for Gnarbunga and want to hear this story over and over again.–Jess deCourcy Hinds Bard High School Early College Queens, NY