A Parents Nagazine Best Book of 2019
"Beyond just breaking the fourth wall, this clever account of a lobster at a dinner party directly involves readers in the choice of outcome. The limited palette of lobster reds and ocean blues outlined in scratchy black suits the wry, understated tone, though child readers familiar with the crustacean will note that bright-red Lenny has been cooked from the very beginning. Diverting."—Kirkus Reviews
"The collaboration of Buckley pére et fils will delight omnivore foodie families."—Publishers Weekly
"A clever recipe for a deviously twisted, lobster stew of a tale."—PW Shelftalker
"From the minute I saw this crustacean's crabby little face, it was love."—A Fuse Eight Production
"...A family-style serving of lobster tale."—Brooklyn Paper
"This laugh-out-loud text by bestselling author Michael Buckley and his 10-year-old son Finn is stunningly accompanied by illustrations that demonstrate Catherine Meurisse's flare for the dramatic."—New York City Official City Guide
"Michael Buckley teams with young son Finn for this darkly hilarious account that mixes in elements from the Choose Your Own Adventure novels. Meurisse has a blast with the illustrations, creating a memorable, incredulous lobster hero who finds out the real reason he has been invited for dinner. Run Lenny Run!"—Mr. Brian's Picture Book Pics
"Honestly hilarious."—A Fuse Eight Production (SLJ)
"Delightful. A fun, interactive book for a young child to read aloud with a parent."—Warren-Newport Public Library
"Funny."—Flying Off My Bookshelf
"The Unexpected Ending: Picture Books That Stick the Landing in Weird, Wild Ways: What could be a more surprising ending than a Choose Your Own Adventure one? Allow Lenny to choose wisely or lead him down into the valley of the shadow of death. The ending is entirely up to you."—A Fuse 8 Production/SLJ.com
"Loved the art, loved the writing, and it's really and truly funny to boot. A winner."—A Fuse 8 Production / SLJ.com
2019-01-28
Beyond just breaking the fourth wall, this clever account of a lobster at a dinner party directly involves readers in the choice of outcome.
Well-mannered lobster Lenny is "delighted" to receive an invitation to a fancy dinner party, and he does every proper thing: dons his hat, grooms his claws and mustache, and arrives with gifts and flowers. The other guests are just as happy to see him, but alert readers will understand what is meant by "In fact, they seemed a little too excited…." The truth is revealed via several visual clues, including one party guest actually drooling and a chef with a tray full of claw crackers; one young girl sits with her back to the door, arms folded, and a grumpy look on her face. Lenny appears clueless that people would be so rude as to eat him. Then, it's time for readers to choose: Should Lenny stay? Madcap adventures ensue no matter the choice, and the potentially unhappy conclusion—with Lenny on a plate—is lightened, as readers are directed to go back to the beginning and start again. In both scenarios, "little Imogen," the grumpy girl from the beginning, comes to the rescue. The limited palette of lobster reds and ocean blues outlined in scratchy black suits the wry, understated tone, though child readers familiar with the crustacean will note that bright-red Lenny has been cooked from the very beginning.
Diverting. (Picture book. 5-8)
