Comic book tale for older children, who will get the joke. Adults will appreciate the satire. ( )

Wonderful illustrations. Tells a story like a newspaper article following an event. A young boy goes to work with his father who leaves him behind all day to do his work. At the end, the boy saves the day with some potion and kills the giant octopus.

Hayward Palmer likes facts. Unfortunately, his dad works at The Daily Comet. Hayward knows none of that stuff is real. Elvis sightings? Bigfoot? Aliens? His dad just makes it all up.

Or does he? It takes a giant octopus, aliens in teacups (and saucers, naturally) and a street gimmick with surprising properties to change Hayward's mind...and give him the best school report ever!

This book hilariously blends tabloid headlines, 1950s era, with mischievous pop culture references and black and white art mimicking doctored photographs for a slyly humorous look at a know it all kid who gets a jolt to his preconceptions.

The text is lengthy - it's not really a read-aloud, unless you are able to do it in several sessions. Readers will need to have a little knowledge of classics tabloid stories, like Elvis sightings, Bigfoot, etc.

Verdict: Recommended for collections that serve elementary age students. Not an essential if your picture book collection focuses on read-alouds or younger children.

ISBN: 978-1554532810; Published September 2010 by Kids Can Press; Review copy provided by the publisher through Raab Associates