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This wonderful, lavishly illustrated children's tale chronicles the adventures of the "Grunge," a gruesome, physically deformed creature who lives in a dark cave beneath a children's elementary school. The Grunge, it happens, had once been a perfectly normal person, but had devolved into a hairy, finned monster who delighted in nothing more than scaring and tormenting children (he even dreamed of ... More

This wonderful, lavishly illustrated children's tale chronicles the adventures of the "Grunge," a gruesome, physically deformed creature who lives in a dark cave beneath a children's elementary school. The Grunge, it happens, had once been a perfectly normal person, but had devolved into a hairy, finned monster who delighted in nothing more than scaring and tormenting children (he even dreamed of eating their toes!). The latter part of the book provides wholesome life lessons to children who happen to live within striking range of the Grunge. Since the hapless creature fears kind and studious children, they must take care to act in a helpful and loving way to all around them, to respect their parents and teachers, to practice good manners, and, just as important, to wear their shoes and socks (for the protection of their toes!). The book ends on a lofty, spiritual note: children should always follow their dreams and seek their creator.



The book is delightfully written in rhyming couplets by David Faulkner. The author displays a keen moral sensibility and a lively sense of humor. The illustrations by Richie Barnes are vivid, fully formed, and startlingly life-like. The lessons provided to children, lessons that lie both on the surface and between the book's lines, are graphic and are basic to a well-lived life. This is a book that will prove fascinating and absorbing to children and that at the same time will be immensely welcome to parents who want to further their children's moral values.

Theodore A. Bergren

Associate Professor of Religion (retired), Department of Religious Studies, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia

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