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A cute story about a kid who is not a fan of Valentine's Day. I really enjoyed the twist at the end.

The thing I really liked about this book was the illustrations. The text focuses on how Crankenstein is feeling, but the illustrations foreshadow other events in the story. Great detail. A fun and silly book that is very entertaining.

I have to start off by saying I love this book! I think everyone can related to this character in one way or another. I definitely can! "Crankenstein", by Samantha Berger is a fun story to use around Halloween, although it can be used at any time. Crankenstein wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and is in a BAD mood! He is so ill that all he can say is "mehhrrrr"!! Throughout the story, things that make him angry keep happening and ruining his day. His mom makes him pancakes for breakfast and he has only one drop of syrup! His popsicle melts because it is too hot outside. He waits in a forever long line just to figure out he is not tall enough to ride. It's way too cold on Halloween, and then he breaks his toy. Just when you think Crankenstein is going to lose his marbles, he meets a GIRL crankenstein. It doesn't make him angry like we would think. It makes him laugh! Now Crankenstein is happy. But for how long? I used this book in a second grade classroom to show that the author uses illustrations to help us understand more about what the story is telling us. Some things are not written in the story, but by looking at the illustrations, you know what the author is telling you. We read this book at the carpet and the students were able to make the "mehhrrr" sound with me. They loved being included in the story. I also did an opinion writing activity about if they agreed with the reasons Crankenstein was mad or not and why. I also included a craft where the students got to make their own Crankenstein face and glue it to their writing. This book has endless activities to go along with it. Overall, this is a fun and interactive book. 

Lexile: AD350L

Guided Reading Level: I

ATOS Reading Level: 1.7

Crankenstein is a book about a little boy that becomes so cranky that he turns into a monster called Crankenstein. This would be a great book to talk to any grade about emotions. We all have our own monster moments and laughter is the quickest way to tame it. An activity that could be used along with this book is a chance for students to write about a time that they became a Crankenstein. It's also a great transition into talking about ways that we can deal with our anger without lashing out at others. 

Berger wrote a clever text that we all were amused by. But Santat's contribution is what really makes this. From his note on the copyright page about how he made the art all the way through to the dust jacket flaps: the art puts this over the top.

Outstanding in the picture books field.

Library copy.