Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale

The three Scares—Papa resembles Frankenstein’s monster, Mama is a mummy/Bride of Frankenstein hybrid, and Baby is a wee vampire—live in a haunted house “with room enough for four,” writes Marie. Despite having a ghost dog and a bell tower full of bats, they each yearn for a missing someone. Enter green-skinned Moldilocks, who, drawn by a scent that “smelled like home, something she hadn’t enjoyed in a long, long time,” lumbers into the momentarily vacated Scare house and wreaks the same havoc as her fairy tale counterpart (Baby’s chair, made of delicate bones, is reduced to dust). Instead of exhibiting fury, the family that discovers her welcomes her with open arms: “HOW DARE YOU... eat without us!” a joyful Papa cries. “I’ve always wanted another mouth to feed.” It’s a horror spoof with a big heart: Lorenzo’s acrylic and colored pencil cartooning offers a warm glow, and readers will cheer for this undead family that finally feels complete. Ages 4–8. [em](Aug.) [/em]