by Bridget Heos
illustrated by Joy Ang
What it's all about...
When Baby Billy is born with a full-grown mustachio on his upper lip, his parents are concerned. Is it a "good-guy" mustache or a "bad-guy" mustache? At first, it seems Billy is destined for a life of good deeds as a cowboy and a policeman, but when his mustache grows longer and curls up at the end, Billy goes all "Babyface Finster" on his family.
Why it's on the Crooked Bookshelf...
It's clever and totally original. Also, babies + mustaches = laugh out loud funny.
Our favorite line(s)...
*spoiler alert*
Billy's disreputable mustache led him to a life of dreadful crime. He became: A cat burglar. A cereal criminal. And a train robber so heartless that he even stole the tracks.
Our favorite illustration...
Joy Ang's retro-inspired, though thoroughly modern digital artwork is so satisfying, it's hard to choose just one. But if you lassoed and roped us and tied us to a chair... we'd have to pick this piece...
...because it's just plain hilarious and because Baby Billy's got a little Erik-Estrada-from-Chips-thing going on that made us giggle.
Why kids will love it...
Little kids (and bigger ones, too) will appreciate the silliness of a baby with a mustache, and Ang's rounded, wooden-toy-like characters have major kiddo-appeal.
Why grown-ups will love it...
The humor works on both kid and adult levels. (Also, let's face it... mustaches are pretty hip right now.)
And there's a giveaway!
Tell us the name of your favorite mustachio'd character (fictional or otherwise) in the comments section below. We'll choose one comment at random to win our Mustache Baby Giveaway, which includes A SIGNED BOOK from the author Bridget Heos, along with a Chill, Baby Mustache Pacifier from the fabulous Fred & Friends, and some mustache-themed playing cards courtesy of Mr. Pig!
*Giveaway winner will be announced on Tuesday, September 10th!*
We love all things mustache and of course would love to win this awesome book! Our favorite mustache characters are Mario and Luigi!
ReplyDeleteThey've been to the cottage- they never sit still those two.
DeleteMy favorite mustachio'd character is--and I'm not sure this counts--my dad. For most of my childhood, Dad's face was hairless. When he decided to 'try' a mustache, everyone said he looked like Tom Selleck, but I hated it. I kept bugging him to shave it off. His kisses were too scratchy. He looked too old. But then, after many years mustachio'd, Dad shaved it off one humid summer. And he looked...naked. "No, Dad. Grow it back." It was all wrong. He looked too young, his kisses were incomplete, his smile seemed unframed. It didn't take long to grow back. And now over twenty years later, it's gone from brown to gray. But it still suits him. To a T. :)
ReplyDeleteAww, that is very sweet. My Dad used to have mustache, too. I wasn't fond of it. You know that they say, "You can put a mustache on a pig, but he's still a pig."
DeleteMine is Chief Leland Stottlemeyer (after Mustache Baby, of course!)
ReplyDeleteOf course!
DeleteSnidley Whiplash
ReplyDeleteSnidely has never visited the Cottage, but his pals Rocky and Bullwinkle have been by a couple of times.
DeleteMy favorite mustached character is hands-down Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec. Does it count that its from TV (the anti-book)?!?!
ReplyDeleteYes, it counts. I'm sure you read lots of books. You look very smart. -Mr. P
DeleteFavorite? Can't say as he's my favorite but I'll say Simon Le Gree, the epitome of villainy from Uncle Tom's Cabin.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! He is quite villainy (wait, can villainy be used as an adjective?) Maybe *I* should read more books. -Mr. P
DeleteRon Burgandy
ReplyDeleteJamie, you realize you are not eligible for the mustache prizes, right? Good. And yes. Ron Burgandy. A funny fellow with an excellent mustache! -Mr. P
ReplyDeleteGreat Caesar's ghost! You caught me, Mr. Pig.
ReplyDeleteThe first character that came to mind was Moose from the book Moosetache by Margie Palatini and illustrated by Henry Cole.
ReplyDeleteIt's a close contest, but the winner for me is Captain Hook!
ReplyDeleteCan I have Zorro? I mean, can I pick Zorro...I didn't mean it the other way at all.
ReplyDeleteWe had to renew Mustache Baby twice at the library because we couldn't get enough of the simple surprises and great word play on each page.
Would have to say Mario!
ReplyDeleteAnd the winner is . . . Lauri Meyers! Congratulations, Lauri! Please email us your address and we'll send The Mustache Baby signed book and goodies your way.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all who played our mustache game! Tune in tomorrow for another Little Crooked Bookshelf pick of the week. (Shh! The title is a secret.)
Oops! the *Mustache Baby* signed book and goodies . . .
ReplyDelete