It’s time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday! Ever get cranky on days that everyone else likes to celebrate? Looking for someone who’s simpatico with your outlook? Well, A Crankenstein Valentine by Samantha Berger (illustrated by the fabulous Dan Santat), may be right up your alley. (Yes, I know we’re nowhere near Valentine’s Day, but I saw this sitting on the “new” shelf at the library today and fell in love.) 
Is this your average Valentine’s Day sweet book? 
End paper hearts, containing the words:
DRY HEAVE
JUST LEAVE
STAY AWAY
PUKE
Put the reader in the right mood. The opening spread shows a bedroom door covered in posters of a skull, “Keep Out,” and “Stay Away.” Mom’s hand, the sleeve of her arm covered in a cheery valentine pattern, pushes open the door. She says:
Have you seen my little sweetheart, Crankenstein? You can’t miss Crankenstein on Valentine’s Day.
Then on the page turn, the narrative makes an interesting switch to second person:
You would say, HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! MY LOVE!
Crankenstein would say, YECHHHH!
Mom gives poor little Crankenstein a present:
You would say, Look who got brand-new HEART UNDIES!
Crankenstein would say, YECHHHH!
And the day goes downhill from there. Taking roses to teachers, getting smooched on the schoolbus, eating mom’s lovingly prepared heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the school cafeteria. Oh, the HORROR of the biggest, mushiest, sappiest day one must ever endure at school! Trouble is, everyone else LOVES LOVES LOVES Valentine’s Day. 
Until— Soulmates unite. 
For anyone who suffers through celebrations, events, parties, etc…that everyone else seems to love. All you need is a kindred spirit who feels the same way you do.
Title: A Crankenstein Valentine
Author: Samantha Berger
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Publisher: Little Brown
Pub Date: 2014
It sounds hilarious! But, new arrival? Really?
New to that branch of the SFPL. Not every branch of the SFPL gets a copy of a new book when it first comes out, apparently. Sad to say. Maybe this branch was later on the order list. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been trying to suggest a newtitle to the SFPL if they don’t have it on order. But I can’t suggest that they buy a copy for every branch. Well, I guess I could, but they have a pretty tight budget, I think.
As long as the have a copy of Sarah Gives Thanks, they’re doing just fine.
I am pleased to say that the San Francisco Public Library holds 29 copies of Sarah Gives Thanks distributed among its branches. Yay!
And I am most pleased to hear it!
Boys! Tchah! Or perhaps Yechhhh!
Exactly. Although (spoiler alert!!!), his “friend” at the end of the book is a girl who’s just as allergic to Valentine’s Day as he is. 😀
I think I’d have to side with Crankenstein on the subject of Valentine’s Day… Looks like a cute book!
Yeah, I go back and forth on the subject. Not a big fan of how hypercommercial all these “special” days have become.
A good title to know for next year! (I’ve learned that my library puts the nicest looking, least beat up books on the ‘new’ shelf! They’ve tricked me many a time)
Yes, “new” is relative isn’t it? Well, I guess it was new to me. 😀
Sam Berger is one of the funniest picture writers out there at the moment. I love how she twists stuff on end!
Yes, this book had me laughing all the way through. I’m trying to learn a thing or two or ten from her.
valentines day? Blah! humbug! This looks like the perfect book for me.
Ah, another kindred soul. It appeals there are more than a few folks who think Valentine’s Day is overrated. 😀
HaHa. Perfect for my son. He”ll be crying from laughter. Thanks.
Yes, so was my son. I couldn’t help but smirk a bit, too. 😀
Oh Jilanne…this is hilarious! Definitely one to grab for a hardy chuckle. 🙂 And pretty clever…never thought to see this holiday from a monster’s POV.
It is quite funny. It’s a great example of how the text and illustrations can be in hilarious opposition. Cheers!
Haha, love it! I’ve always been a Valentine Scrooge. Love everyday, people…come on now! 🙂
Yes, every day!
What a clever book. I love Berger’s work, so I’m sure I’d enjoy this one! Very unique!
Yes, clever, well-written, and terrific illustrations. Give it a look!
Looks like a delightful and silly book!
Delightfully silly is the perfect description. But it’s also a book that will resonate with those who may stand on the opposite side of the fence of the majority. Surely there must be others who feel the same way?!
Ha ha, I may have to have a reading of it at my house on the next V-Day. It will go along with the frog-to-prince “plant” my friend gave me.
A perfect match, like a great wine and food pairing. 😀
Yep, maybe heavy on the wine!
This sounds super adorable. I could have used this many moons ago!
So, you had little Crankensteins running around your house many moons ago? Did they grow up into big Crankensteins? 😀
This sounds great! 😀
It’s a winner, Erik! Priceless illustrations and text.
How did I miss this post on my blog jaunts! I tend to get this feeling at New Year’s parties, so it’s nice to have somebody as contrary to take as a role model, although I would be happy were some ladies to mention underwear with hearts on. I suppose I am the biggest hypocrite after all.
Hah! Aren’t we all?
That’s a great idea for a book, especially because Valentine’s Day was never much fun at school. Just looking at those candy hearts makes me think YECHH! I tolerate it now only for the chocolate.
Yes, chocolate is the redeeming feature of the day, isn’t it? 😀
It sounds and looks like an awesome book. Thanks for sharing.
It is. Thanks for stopping by!