Booknote: Don't Let The Penguin Drive the Batmobile

 Jacob Lambert (author) and Tom Richmond (artist), Don't Let The Penguin Drive the Batmobile. Burbank, CA: MAD Books, 2018. ISBN: 9781401277246.

Genre: children's books
Subgenre: parody, superheroes, Batman
Format: e-galley
Source: NetGalley

This is just a cute and fun book that readers of all ages will enjoy. If you are a Batman fan, you will probably enjoy it even more. In essence, the book is a parody of the book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. I'll be honest. I had to look up that fact because this book's cover says it is a parody but it does not say what it parodies. So unless you knew the other book, you'd have no idea. Having said that, the fact it parodies another book does not matter. This book stands on its own just fine.

Let's recall some details. The art is just cute and adorable. The Penguin is depicted in old school style. If you recall the old 1960s Batman with Burgess Meredith portraying The Penguin, this depiction is right there. The book's art is basic, colorful, and appealing. The text is amusing too, and it is written to address the reader. Yes, children of all ages, you are responsible while Batman is off fighting crime to make sure The Penguin does not drive the Batmobile. This is a big deal. No matter how much The Penguin pleads and tries to trick you, don't let it happen. The book's ending is sweet overall.

What more can I say? This is one of the nicest books I've read recently. As I said, folks of all ages will like it. This is one that libraries with children's books collections need to get. If you got the "original" source book, then you also need to get this one. Also get it for Batman and comic book fans. No matter how serious or brooding you like Batman, you will get a smile out of this book.

On a final note, this book is published by the folks at MAD Magazine. In a time when MAD recently announced the magazine will cease publication (at least of new material), it is nice to know they will still be putting books out now and then. I do hope they keep putting out works like these to warm our hearts. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: The Mad Bathroom Companion: the Gushing Fourth Edition

"The Usual Gang of Idiots," The Mad Bathroom Companion: the Gushing Fourth Edition. New York: Mad Books, 2004. ISBN: 1-4012-0326-4.

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: humor, parody, pop culture
Format: trade paperback
Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library

This book is a compilation  of material from Mad Magazine. The volume has its pluses and minuses. On the positive, you get fan favorites like strips by Sergio Aragones, Don Martin, and Dave Berg. Many of those strips remain amusing and fairly timeless. On the minus, some of the other comics, especially some of the parodies, are ageing quite quickly, going out of date. Yet I find those interesting because they give a glimpse into the past. For example, one comic looks at Donald Trump, mostly as the conceited land developer. Back in the 1980s or so, who could even guess today's events and his rise in power? Stuff like that keeps the book interesting.

Overall, the book is much  like the magazine; some parts are better than others. This is a book to browse and read your favorite parts. It certainly does make for good bathroom reading material, but you can read it anywhere. The book still offers enough to fans to keep them interested, and for new readers, it offers a good sampling from the magazine. I liked it as a light, amusing read that is no big deal. It was nice, light, silly at times entertainment.

3 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2017 Reading Challenges: