Chompy Has a Friend for Lunch

This ebulliently cartooned interactive story opens with a yellow-horned, googly eyed monster, Chompy, running into the frame until it’s almost nose-to-nose with the reader: “Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!” it says. “Hi! I’m so happy you’re here!” Chompy readily admits that everyone else in its family prefers to consume humans than hang out with them, but no matter: the monster requests a high five (“Friends do that, right?”), achieved with a book flap that reveals Chompy’s open, extended palm, and the playdate is off to a rousing start. Or not. The monster, who can’t help noticing the reader’s delicious smell, asks for a “teensy-weensy” lick of their elbow (a flap reveals a big red tongue), followed by a request for a “tiny lil’ nibble” of the reader’s nose (another flap shows Chompy’s entire, unflossed mouth, which harbors a teddy bear between two teeth). Fortunately, the taste confirms that Chompy finds humans “TERRIBLE!” cuisine, and via a double gatefold of Chompy’s open arms, the two playmates can hug it out. Most kids have experienced first-playdate awkwardness; Canadian TV and film writer and producer Satterthwaite and Brazilian director and animator Eboli push it to a new—and chompy—level. Ages 4–6. (Aug.)