My Rotten Friend

Give Blake and Epelbaum credit—they don’t go halfway on this story of ill-fated human-zombie friendship. Using an AAAB rhyme scheme, Blake (The Marble Queen) writes from the perspective of a blond, blue-eyed narrator, whose BFF has seen better days: “She’s my best friend, but I won’t lie,/ Penelope smells like something died./ Her hair is matted. She’s missing an eye./ Can you sort of see her brains?” Epelbaum gives Penelope a cute kitten T-shirt and skirt—as well as sickly green skin, a lolling tongue, and body parts that tend to become detached. The narrator sticks up for her friend, but after getting bitten herself, she starts “feeling hungry, but not for food...” Especially icky scenes include one of Penelope chowing down on brains (while flies sample her own), so while Epelbaum’s cartoons establish a sunny suburban atmosphere, this story is best for families who like their humor wicked. Ages 4–7. (Sept.)