Meredith Kiger, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
The author uses rhyme, humor and a bit of the macabre to create a carnival containing creatures you have never seen before and may not even wish to. Borrowed names of creatures from all kinds of literature such as the Cheshire Cat and Godzilla are given new profiles using tongue-in-cheek humor and a rhyming vocabulary that challenges even adults. The zany, detailed illustrations are a feast for the eyes and will appeal to the quirky taste of many an elementary-aged student schooled in video games and horror flicks. The sources for each creature are explained at the end of the book possibly inspiring additional reading. Come visit the carnival! It's weird. 2004, Hyperion Books, $15.99. Ages 8 to 10.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, February 15, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 4))
A true feast for all monster fans, this versified tour gathers creatures from myth, folklore, urban legends, and even films, into a decidedly unsavory sideshow. Visitors will encounter the likes of the Cheshire Cat and Godzilla, a drooling Frog Prince and a ruthless beauty queen mermaid. Or, if they so desire, they can wrestle a multi-armed kraken, or take a ride on, well: "Not a horse, not a bird, / wouldn't drop an egg on us. / Very sleek, very Greek, / In a word: / it's Pegasus." Grimly casts an oddball array of egg-headed, pencil-necked young onlookers, marveling at each unkempt, pop-eyed, usually leering Attraction before ending up being hauled off in a cage themselves. The carnival's residents, nearly three dozen strong, get identifying notes at the end. This attention-getting menagerie will have readers and listeners sitting on the edges-and probably falling right out-of their seats: as the mustachioed barker declaims, "Listen-that's the werewolf's band / over by the I Scream stand. / Ticket, please. I'll stamp your hand." Step right up. 2004, Hyperion, 40p, $15.99. Category: Poetry. Ages 7 to 10. Starred Review. © 2004 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Roxanne Welch Mills (Library Media Connection, August/September 2004)
Godzilla, Paul Bunyan's Big Blue Ox, and the Minotaur, as well as sewer alligators, gargoyles, and the like are part of the Creature Carnival. Each single or double page spread illustrates the creature in pictures and rhyme. This book includes a table of contents and three pages at the end explain the featured creatures, as it is possible that children have not been exposed to many of them. At times the vocabulary is either difficult or historical. Therefore, this book would be more appropriate for upper elementary students, ages nine to 11. Additional Selection. 2004, Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Publishing Worldwide, 40pp., $15.99 hc. Ages 8 to 11.