Parents' Guide to

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich

By Dawn Friedman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Poems, stellar art show funny side of monsters.

Book Adam Rex, Mordecai Richler Horror 2006
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 4+

Based on 2 parent reviews

doodle noodle
doodle noodle Parent
April 7, 2010
age 4+

It really depends on your kid, and your parenting style

We love this book. My daughters (6 and 4) got this book 2 years ago and have requested it often at story time. Not only are the vocabulary and rhyme schemes slightly more challenging than you might see in most kids fare, but it provides an opportunity to look at monsters in a humourous light--Frankenstein isn't scary, he's hungry for a sandwich! Drac Jr. is only afraid of the dentist when he discovers she is not a monster, but actually a rather chipper human! Rex's characters (despite some of the creepier images) are very human, and allowed us to diminish our fear of nighttime bugaboos by evaluating what makes us afraid. I found this book WAAAY less disturbing than, say, the opening scene in Finding Nemo (remember, when Mommy and her 399 eggs get EATEN? Disney is playing on children's innate fear of losing their parents for dramatic effect, Rex is using classic monster images for comic effect).

This title has:

Great role models
love2
love2 Parent of 17-year-old
October 18, 2009
age 4+

really boring

r librarian read this to us in library and it was soooooo boring!!!!! but even though it was boring i have to say the ilistration were really good. but it's IFFY for 4 cuz it has monsters in it.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Rhyming monster vignettes are more funny than scary.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (3):

It's tempting to make this book all about the spectacular pictures since author/illustrator Adam Rex's talent and range are prodigious. The gross-out factor isn't excessive but it's present. Not only is there a glimpse of Godzilla poop (unhappily deposited on the dismayed poet's Honda), but the monsters are wart-ridden and have bulging eyes, and a few fangs drip saliva.

Happily the poems live up to their illustrations. Rex understands the minds of average kids (at least those who aren't scared by the detailed monster drawings) and his monster tales take inspiration from their original stories. Take the poor beleaguered Phantom of the Opera, who can't get "It's a Small World" out of his head, or Dracula Jr., who is terrified by a trip to the dentist. The vocabulary level is high -- this isn't a dumbed-down parody -- and Rex doesn't stretch unreasonably far for his rhymes. As rhyming books tend to be, it's an especially fun read-aloud -- for parents, too.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how humor can take the edge off something scary. Kids familiar with the monsters' backgrounds can note the way their traditional histories are turned upside-down for the poems (like the way Frankenstein gets around the torch-wielding villagers).

Book Details

  • Authors: Adam Rex, Mordecai Richler
  • Genre: Horror
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Harcourt
  • Publication date: September 1, 2006
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 5 - 7
  • Number of pages: 40
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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