September 14, 2015
The undead heroine of Zombelina (2013) returns to dance The Nutcracker, but her ghostly grandfather’s tricks threaten to upend the performance, even after Zombelina snags the role of Clara. Zombelina is a wonderful dancer, but it’s really Idle who’s superbe—few others could make running jokes about detached limbs look this graceful. Crow’s rhymes offer a similar blend of playfulness and gross-out humor
September 1, 2015
Young Zombelina wins the part of Clara in The Nutcracker, but her Grandpa Phantom causes problems during a performance. Zombelina is the only zombie girl in the cast of The Nutcracker. Her best friend, Lizzie, is cast in the chorus, but the girls support each other and remain friends. Zombelina's grandfather haunts the theater, and during a performance he alters the lighting so the bones of all the dancers show through their costumes. It's not clear what the exact paranormal effect is here-magical paralysis? Temporary electrocution? Only Grandpa Phantom knows for sure. Zombelina asks Lizzie to take over her part so the young zombie can deal with her grandfather backstage. The switch is effected by Zombelina's actual removal of her legs, which she lends to Lizzie for the rest of the performance. Lizzie is supposed to tuck her legs up in her costume and dance on Zombelina's legs, but the mechanics of this switch aren't clear or believable. The performance ends with Zombelina back on stage with the cast for a standing ovation-and one of Zombelina's legs on the loose. There are some funny zombie-themed jokes woven into the story, and Zombelina is an intriguing character, but there are too many leaps in logic in the plot. Colored-pencil illustrations give the green-faced Zombelina personality, and Idle does a fine job with the ballet positions and complex stage scenes. Fans of both paranormal characters and ballet will like this; others should stick with a traditional interpretation of the holiday classic. (Picture book. 5-8)
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October 1, 2015
Gr 2-4-It had to happen: The Phantom of the Opera meets The Nutcracker in a new picture book with playful illustrations by Idle. The Clara in this performance is a zombie who not only dances the feature role but also must foil Grandpa Phantom's plan to shut down the show. Told in rhymes, the puns and spooky antics are chuckle-worthy, if a little forced. VERDICT A zany alternative for children who prefer the gently macabre over more treacly Christmas fare.-Virginia Walter Graduate School of Education and Information Studies
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 1, 2015
Zombie-girl Zombelina is overjoyed to win the coveted part of Clara in the Nutcracker ballet, but she's sad for Lizzie, cast in a minor role. Zombelina comforts her friend: You'll have your big moment someday. That moment comes sooner than expected when Zombelina's ghostly grandpa causes mischief during opening night and Zombelina lends Lizzie her (detachable) legs to take over the performance while Zombelina handles Grandpa. Colored-pencil illustrations perfectly capture the dancers' graceful movementscheck out that friendship duet after the casting announcementand supplement the punny rhyming text ( everyone needs a leg up ) with visual humor. Part Nutcracker primer, part supernatural comedy, part friendship tale, and an all-around bravura performance. katie bircher
(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)