Marvin Monster's Teacher Jitters!    by Tabatha Jean D'Agata & Ed Newmann Order:  USA  Can Moo Press, 2006 (2006) Softcover     Reviewed by Hilary Daninhirsch Watch out, Harry Potter. Here comes Marvin Monster, a delightfully ghoulish elementary school monster-child. This chapter book touches on familiar themes. Like many children his age, Marvin is apprehensive about meeting a new teacher at Grim Castle Elementary after his beloved teacher retires. There is a suspenseful build-up to the ultimate unveiling of Miss Witchafred, who is drawn in a delightfully bewitching way.  Miss Witchafred wins the hearts and calms the fears of her new students by taking them on a long-promised field trip on a tour through Marshville, where they visit the Postal Tomb, the Trash Yard, and the Chamber of Books, complete with helpful, flying gremlins. When a trick Marvin plays on Miss Witchafred backfires, he learns not to judge others before you have a chance to get to know them. I found it amusing that Marvin was scared of his teacher, considering that he himself is a monster, and his classmates were equally scary, though lovable, creatures. The book contains just the right amount of ghoul to not be truly frightening. The illustrations are over-the-top and just plain fun. 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