Frankenstein Takes the Cake    by Adam Rex Order:  USA  Can Harcourt, 2008 (2008) Hardcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Hilary Daninhirsch In several years of writing book reviews, and in decades of reading books, I can honestly say I have never come across a book quite like this one, and it's a good bet you haven't either. Of course, if you've read the author's previous book, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, then you have seen something similar. The best way to describe this book is a hodgepodge or mishmash of humorous, if not somewhat droll, poems, blogs, anecdotes, and cartoons, all centered around creepy, famous monster characters such as Frankenstein, the Headless Horseman and Dracula. The primary theme is the wedding of Frankenstein. When the book opens up, Frankenstein is marrying a recently dead girl. His mother-in-law-to-be is taking over, criticizing, chastising, etc.. Frankenstein's wedding is revisited throughout the book, such as a scene when his best man, Dracula, eats from the buffet ... 'Hey, vhat's this? It's like toast. I vill try a small bite. Most unusual. Pungent. Yet something's not right. Madam, vhat's on this bread? Yes, yes, butter ... uh-huh. Also garlic, and - wait. This is GARLIC BREAD?! BLUH! I have allergies, dolt! And I thought we vere clear - I vas told it was safe to try everything here! Vhat became of the list that I gave to your bosses? I'm not to have garlic, wheat, peanuts, or crosses!' Other pages include several entries in the Headless Horseman's blog, called Off the Top of My Head and a few pages devoted to Edgar Allan Poe's attempts to write The Raven. The illustrations are also a hodgepodge, and include graphic cartoons, actual photographs, black and white pencil sketches, color paintings, etc.. In its own jumbled way, the book is quite entertaining, though if you expect the unexpected, you won't be disappointed. You will, however, be scratching your head over some of the content, but you'll find yourself chuckling as well. A word of warning is not to show this to very young children; the book is intended for a more mature audience, particularly those who have a macabre sense of humor. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews