One Dark And Stormy Night …

QUACKENSTEIN HATCHES A FAMILY (Abrams Books for Young Readers, $15.95, ages 4-8) written by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, and illustrated by Pasadena-based Brian T. Jones is reviewed by Lindy Michaels of BookStar on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City.

When a mommy and daddy are expecting their joyful event, they are well aware of, at least, some things. The baby might have mommy’s nose (yes, before she had it ‘done’), or daddy’s eyes, or mommy’s ears, or hopefully not daddy’s bald head, well, at least later in life!

Now, for whatever reason, if couples, or singles, for that matter, decide to adopt a baby, the above, obviously, is not the case. No, baby might not look like you at all, but baby was so wanted that upon arrival, will be smothered with hugs and kisses and love.

Quackenstein was all alone. “He was the hermit of the zoo and faced a lonely struggle. ‘It isn’t fair! My nest is bare!’ He had no one to snuggle.” All the other zoo animals had herds and litters and gaggles and packs. ” ‘Everyone has someone, except me,’ Quackenstein mumbled.” Yes, in his solitary state, he had become quite bitter.

One day he happened by a sign that stated, “Orphaned Eggs. Homes Needed.” Yes! Quackenstein would adopt an egg, sit on it, tend to it and soon would be hatched a fluffy ducky, just like him! A little Quackenstein Junior or Juniorette, but hopefully with a better personality!

And then the great day arrived when the egg cracked open and out came a… ” ‘I’ve hatched a… MONSTER!! You’re no duck,’ Quack screeched and went quite pale. The thing had fur and legs with spurs and some poor beaver’s tail.”

What exactly was this… this…. this strange, scary looking animal? And would Quackenstein’s heart ever warm to it? Read this wonderfully illustrated, funny take on the (sort of) tale of Frankenstein and find out. It will certainly warm the cockles of you and your little one’s hearts.
To watch the video on YOUTUBE click here.

The very versatile Lindy Michaels aims to inspire young minds through children’s literature. Lindy owned L.A.’s first children’s bookshop, OF BOOKS AND SUCH (1972-1987) where she did storytelling, taught drama to children, had art and poetry contests and the like. According to Lindy, “It was truly a ‘land of enchantment.” She also spent years lecturing on realism in children’s literature at colleges in the state. For close to five years Lindy has worked for Studio City Barnes and Noble (BookStar) in the children’s section and does storytelling every Saturday at 10:30 a.m.