Brains, Anyone? Picture Books for Zombie Lovers

My sister is OBSESSED with the show "The Walking Dead"; therefore her kids are all zombie-crazy, too.  So when I happened across the following two books (the first while buying something else from Amazon; the second while checking in new books at work earlier this year), I knew they would be perfect for my 3- and 5-year old nephews for Christmas.

The Very Hungry Zombie
Written by Michael Teitelbaum & Illustrated by Jon Apple
October 16, 2012
Skyhorse Publishing
26 pages
Ages:  Intended for adults, but enjoyed by kids as well.

This book is obviously a parody of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar and uses similar artwork and similar story, with the zombie eating something different each day of the week, including astronauts, rock stars, and clowns (which tasted funny). 

It is intended to be humorous and silly, not graphic, so while it is written for adults, many children would enjoy it as well.  Not for the sensitive or fearful child, but one who is into zombies and gross and/or dark humor would love this book.  I'm not a TWD fan or particularly into zombies myself, but I still found it cute and funny and enjoyed the slightly twisted humor.  Both of my nephews loved it!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Brains
Written by Joe Magee & Illustrated by Charles Santoso
August 11, 2015
Harry N. Abrams Publishing
32 pages
Ages 4-8

Reginald isn't like the other zombies terrorizing Quirkville.  Instead of craving brains, Reginald dreams of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  After several unsuccessful attempts, he finally takes one from a little girl's lunch at the bus stop.  Eventually he manages to convince the other zombies that peanut butter & jelly is better than brains, and the zombies and humans can then co-exist in peace.

This is a another cute, silly zombie story kids will enjoy.  Since children are the intended audience for this one, the illustrations are more silly than scary, with not even a cartoonish hint of blood or gore at all and the story only mentions zombies wanting brains, never actually eating anyone.  And they are all happily converted to PB&J-etarians in the end, which most kids can related to since PB&J is a childhood staple for many.  Sadly, I cannot report my nephews' verdicts as somehow my sister managed to lose this one between the time it arrived and Christmas, but I'm certain they would have loved it.


I also gave their older brother and sister middle-grade novels (not zombie related), which I posted about on my other blog, Jen's Library Tales : "Middle Grade Novels I Gave For Christmas - The Reluctant Reader" and "Middle Grade Novels I Gave For Christmas - The Voracious Reader".