McClements, George. Haiku Kaiju Ah-Choo! George McClements, Illus. Hippo Park, 12/2024. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-66264-036-0. GRADES Preschool–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
A blue kaiju (a monster who resembles Godzilla) is suffering from a cold so he goes to town to seek help. Most of the people run in terror, but a scientist and his son communicate with the kaiju and help him with a blanket, tissues, and hot soup. The lively text is told in traditional haiku, with phrases using the pattern of five, seven, and five syllables each. The full-color cartoon artwork uses dialogue balloons, showing the scientist’s son with tan skin and black hair. Because of the cartoon style of the illustrations, this will appeal to fans of comic books and graphic novels, even if they haven’t seen a kaiju film (which began with the Gojira/Godzilla series in Japan). Review based on an ARC.
Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool