The Bad Guys

Starred review from October 1, 2016
Four misunderstood villains endeavor to turn over a new leafor a new rap sheet in Blabey's frenzied romp. As readers open the first page of this early chapter book, Mr. Wolf is right there to greet them, bemoaning his reputation. "Just because I've got BIG POINTY TEETH and RAZOR-SHARP CLAWS and I occasionally like to dress up like an OLD LADY, that doesn't mean / I'm a BAD GUY." To prove this very fact, Mr. Wolf enlists three equally slandered friends into the Good Guys Club: Mr. Snake (aka the Chicken Swallower), Mr. Piranha (aka the Butt Biter), and Mr. Shark (aka Jaws). After some convincing from Mr. Wolf, the foursome sets off determined to un-smirch their names (and reluctantly curbing their appetites). Although these predators find that not everyone is ready to be at the receiving end of their helpful efforts, they use all their Bad Guy know-how to manage a few hilarious good deeds. Blabey has hit the proverbial nail on the head, kissed it full on the mouth, and handed it a stick of Acme dynamite. With illustrations that startle in their manic comedy and deadpan direct address and with a narrative that follows four endearingly sardonic characters trying to push past (sometimes successfully) their fear-causing natures, this book instantly joins the classic ranks of Captain Underpants and The Stinky Cheese Man. We challenge anyone to read this and keep a straight face. (Fiction. 7-11)

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November 1, 2016

Gr 2-4-Be prepared to hear laughter, and lots of it, as students plunge into this graphic novel hybrid. The story opens with Mr. Wolf speaking directly to the audience. Despite his "big, pointy teeth," his "razor-sharp claws," and his suspicious rap sheet filled with familiar "Three Little Pigs" and "Little Red Riding Hood" references, he implores readers to believe he is not a bad guy. Mr. Wolf is on a quest to persuade his carnivorous friends to be part of the Good Guys Club. Their first mission is to rescue a cat from a tree, and even though his friends think Mr. Wolf has lost his mind, they agree to help. Illustrations exaggerate the animals' sharp teeth and wide smiles as they stare up at the terrified kitty. After a few bumps in the plan (namely, Mr. Snake eating Mr. Piranha), an accidental success ensues and they move on to their grand plan of freeing 200 dogs from the pound. Expressive illustrations and typography will captivate budding readers' attention and aid in comprehension. Witty and slapstick humor coupled with menacing animal faces on a bright orange cover ensures this book will appeal to a wide audience. VERDICT Reminiscent of Aaron Reynolds's Carnivores and Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, this humorous title is highly recommended for all libraries.-Beth Parmer, New Albany Elementary Library, OH

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 6, 2015
Award-winning picture-book author Aaron Blabey turns his hand to junior chapter books with hilarious effect. Mr Wolf, one of the original bad guys from fairy legend, is tired of being typecast and wants to change his image. So he brings in a few friends—Mr Shark, Mr Snake and Mr Piranha, all the way from Bolivia—to start the Good Guys Club. But macho bad guys don’t transform easily into cuddly animal-rescuing heroes. When Mr Wolf and co do try to save a kitten, the poor creature is so terrified of their enormous teeth and bossy attitude that the rescue goes horribly and hilariously wrong. Blabey has ticked all the right boxes to encourage early and struggling readers—short chapters, lots of illustrations, cartoon-style panels, lashings of humour and occasional fart jokes. The Bad Guys is good-quality fun that will delight children.