08/01/2016
Gr 6 Up—Based on the Cartoon Network series Uncle Grandpa and written by an Adventure Time writer, this work has the fast, zany pace of those cartoons. Uncle Grandpa and his crew, who include a talking fanny pack called Belly Bag and a sentient pizza slice named Pizza Steve, must travel back in time to gather the ingredients for a very important casserole. They travel to ancient Egypt, ancient Rome, and 1992. The scenes of the different time periods are illustrated by different artists, but all of the images are drawn in a lively cartoon style and with bright colors. The tone is absurd and satirical, and there are numerous subversive and sophisticated references. Pizza Steve scoffs at the use of melting clocks that resemble those in Salvador Dali's The Persistence of Memory ("Reeeeeel original!" he sneers). The scenes that take place in 1992 are full of pop culture references and mentions of obsolete technology, interrupted by Uncle Grandpa "before we remind our older readers how old they are." This title is written with this more mature audience in mind, but the pure nonsense and appealing artwork will carry along younger readers for the ride. VERDICT Tweens and teens may not get every reference, but the vibrant visuals and fast-paced humor and action will keep them interested.—Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library
