Rodzilla

Sanders’s (Ruby Rose: Off to School She Goes) sendup of a rampaging toddler is both cute and gross—kind of like toddlers themselves. A news announcer opens: “Big, bad trouble in Megalopolis. This is Channel 15 News reporting, and... one moment, please.” A dark blue shadow falls over the reporter: “Oh, no! A soft, squishy monster has escaped into the city!” Caldecott Medalist Santat (The Adventures of Beekle) draws an adorably tubby dinosaur child who farts (“Rodzilla is shooting... stink-rays!”) and pukes (“Bleck! He’s hurled an attack!”). After Rodzilla face-plants, tears glimmer in his eyes and the vehicles of Megalopolis are momentarily revealed as the toys they are. Although the destruction continues, there’s nothing scary about Santat’s broad visual comedy. Like his cinematic counterpart, Rodzilla grabs vehicles and climbs buildings, but fortunately, two adults (Rodney’s doting parents) step in to rescue him from himself. Sanders’s faux horror and Santat’s exuberant, richly colored spreads pour on the mayhem. Don’t read this aloud anywhere kids are expected to stay quiet. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. Illustrator’s agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (May)