After Luka and Jude play a gross practical joke on the girls, they decide to get back at them by playing up the possibility that their dad is a ghost. Meanwhile, Luka gets a horrible sunburn and continues to be freaked out by the idea of ghosts and monsters. Embeli’s warm, inviting art is playful and always clear in its storytelling, and the characters—whether human, robot, or irritated nerve endings—are deftly designed, each expressive and highly specific despite a rigorous economy of line. Writer Strugar inserts herself as a character and a love interest for the dad when he insists on taking Luka to see her, and the kids share the names of her and her husband’s real-life kids.
The doctor has a robot in her office and doles out several pages worth of skin-protection directives that include sunscreen and protective clothing. The book concludes with several pages worth of crossword puzzles, word searches, quizzes, and how-tos on things like oatmeal baths. The silly fake ghost story and activities are a nice way to get kids to not only think about the importance of skincare and safety but also to share easy-to-understand guidance for them and parents alike.
Takeaway: Fun, wonderfully drawn story showcasing the urgent facts of skin and sun exposure.
Comparable Titles: Betty Nguyen and Brandon Pham’s Dermatology for Kids, Katherine C. Troutman’s Sunny Goes to the Beach.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
