DRACULA VS. GRAMPA AT THE MONSTER TRUCK SPECTACULAR

This just-right-for-Halloween chapter book combines strange elements: a monster truck show (featuring the “Mudsucker”), a vampire, an F5 tornado, and a grandfather whose judgment is not equal to that of his grandson, Wiley. Johnny Heller’s exuberant narration enhances the wacky humor of this tale. The voices he creates for Grampa, Grandma, and “Drac” are hilarious; even his incidental voices (from cat to radio announcements to TV commercials) are fun to listen to. Best of all, though, is Heller’s just-right characterization of young Wiley: he’s smart, funny, and appropriately scared in all the right places (though this story is too silly to really frighten kids). Scroggs’s oddball story and Heller’s finely honed ability to entertain make this a winning production. J.C.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]