Superhero Joe and the creature next door

Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman

Book - 2013

Joe conquers his fear of the strange creature moving into the house next door, as well as the treehouse in the creature's backyard.

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Location Call Number   Status
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Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers c2013.
Language
English
Main Author
Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman (-)
Edition
1st ed
Item Description
"A Paula Wiseman Book."
Physical Description
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 27 cm
ISBN
9781442412682
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

The comics-obsessed kiddo from Superhero Joe (2011) is back to take on a dastardly new villain: the Creature, a slouching, mysterious kid who just moved in next door. The possible origin stories Weitzman dreams up are endless: Did he come from a castle or outer space? Does he experiment on bugs in his spare time? And how come the Creature can get up into that tree house that Joe can't? Barrett uses a blue tone to depict these worrisome imaginings while keeping the overall Bazooka Joe style. There is, naturally, a final confrontation, but suffice it to say that these superrivals become superfriends. Weitzman has written that rare picture-book sequel that treads entirely new ground.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 2-When Joe's neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Goode, move away, the imaginative boy spies on the new resident, an oddly dressed being in a heavy sweater and face-concealing hat. Joe wonders what sort of evil plans the Creature may have. From his bedroom window, he watches it repeatedly climb the ladder to the tree house Mr. Goode built, undoubtedly "transforming the tree house into his lair." Finally, Joe decides it's time to confront his foe. He dons his super gravity-defying boots, his cape of confidence, and his anti-glare goggles. As Superhero Joe prepares to set out on his mission, his mother intercepts him: "It's time to go meet our new next-door neighbors. I hear they have a little boy just your age." Joe follows his mother and approaches the tree house with trepidation. There he encounters a friendly boy who likes to dress up and pretend, just like he does. The boy helps Joe climb the previously insurmountable ladder into the tree house and introduces himself, "I'm Invisible Phil!" This entertaining tale of overcoming fear and making new friends is illustrated by precisely drawn panels reminiscent of the classic Archie comic books. The gray-blue palette of the scenes in which Joe spies on his new neighbor increases the sense of mystery and suspense. Clever details like stacks of comic books on the floor of Joe's room and pterodactyls flying around the treetops will make readers chuckle. A fine sequel to Superhero Joe (S & S, 2011).-Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston, MA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review

Joe imagines that his new neighbor up in a treehouse is an evil creature. He transforms into Superhero Joe to face the creature, who, of course, is actually a nice kid who also likes bugs and snacks. Although the fear factor feels overblown, the feeling of needing courage to confront something new is universal. Barrett's comic bookstyle illustrations maintain the story's tension. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

Joe marshals superhero skills and gadgets inspired by his comic books to combat the titular creature next door. When the sweet next-door neighbors move to Florida, Joe realizes that his dream of mastering the scary ladder to their treehouse is leaving with them. Someone new and unknown is moving into his territory, and this oversized person seems able to climb the rope ladder with ease. Joe's imagination goes into overdrive as he watches the creature, scenes from his comic books racing through his head. The creature might come from a haunted castle or outer space; he might want to steal Joe's toys and comics; he might even be a giant. When Joe finally makes his way over to meet the new family, he is pleasantly surprised. What lifts this comic tale above the ordinary new-kid-on-the-block offering is its sense of humor and detailed, throwback comic-book art. Crosshatching and tiny vertical lines add drama and depth to each spread, and the use of gray, blue and purple perfectly accents Joe's overactive imagination. The visual playfulness (including a riff on The Cat in the Hat) and dramatic comic-book language (invincibility, lair, radiance, infiltrate) make this one to reread. When he imagines the new kid calling him a shrimp, Joe is drawn as an actual sea critter! For anyone who has an interior superhero. (Picture book. 4-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.