Review: The Adventures of Ook and Gluk & Huge Scholastic Book Giveaway

Summary: In this all-new graphic novel, George Beard and Harold Hutchins present the sensational saga of two silly caveboys named Ook and Gluk. Ook and Gluk have a pretty awesome life growing up together in Caveland, Ohio, in 500,001 BC - even though they're always getting in trouble with their nasty leader, Big Chief Goppernopper. But Ook and Gluk's idyllic life takes a turn for the terrible when an evil corporation from the future invades their quiet, prehistoric town. When Ook, Gluk, and their little dinosaur pal, Lily, are pulled through a time portal to the year 2222 AD, they discover that the world of the future is even worse than the devastated one they came from. Fortunately, they find a friend in Master Wong, a martial arts instructor who trains them in the ways of kung fu, so that they may one day return home and make things right again. And, like the other Captain Underpants books, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future features the world's cheesiest animation technology, "Flip-O-Rama," in every chapter.-- Blue Sky Press

I have a feeling that THE ADVENTURES OF OOK AND GLUK, KUNG-FU CAVEMEN FROM THE FUTURE by Dav Pilkey, the creator of The Captain Underpants books, is a book that boys are going to love. This graphic novel aimed at 7 year olds and up is filled with two funny main characters, lots of action, time travel, bad guys, a kung-fu master, a dinosaur who throws up, and fight scenes! As a mom of a six year old boy, I know these elements are all very appealing.

While I did think THE ADVENTURES OF OOK AND GLUK, KUNG-FU CAVEMEN FROM THE FUTURE was very funny, I did have a little concern with this book. Since the premise of the book is that the comic strip is written by two young boys, there are lots (and lots) of misspelled words. In fact, it kind of reminded me of Booking Son's journal at school where he spells words based on the letters he hears. This graphic novel is fine for him right now because I'm reading it to him, but in a few more months (or years) when he is able to read independently, I'm worried that he might find this confusing. Or worse yet, he might think the misspelled words are fine.

There were many really great things about this book too. The characters who wrote the comic strip were positively hilarious (and rather silly.) In addition, I loved the drawings, especially the ones of the baby dinosaur. I also really thought the Flip-o-Rama pages were too cute. There are places marked for the reader's left hand and right thumb to rest, and the reader is told to turn the next page back and forth quickly so that the pages look animated. I know I had fun playing with these pages, so I can only imagine how much kids will like them.

There is a fun website devoted to the Ook and Gluk series. I had fun playing around with many of the options including the comic generator and the flip-o-rama workshop. There are also links to the "The Making of Ook and Gluk Movie" and a newsletter from the author. I think kids who enjoy these books are going to love this interactive site.

I think THE ADVENTURES OF OOK AND GLUK, KUNG-FU CAVEMEN FROM THE FUTURE is a fun book that boys will love. Despite my reservations about the misspellings, I did find it a very entertaining story!



And now for the really exciting news....

Give the gift of reading to your child this holiday season! Scholastic books make the perfect stocking stuffer for any child on your list.

We have a HUGE prize pack filled with the most popular children’s books in the marketplace to offer one lucky reader! Titles include CAPTAIN SKY BLUE, IT’S CHRISTMAS DAVID, OOK and GLUK as well as TONY BALONEY, ODIOUS OGRE and I SPY CHRISTMAS A CHRISTMAS TREE!

To win this prize pack valued at $89.75, just fill out the form below before December 5th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This giveaway is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!



Thanks to Big Honcho Media and Scholastic for sponsoring this giveaway and providing me a review copy of this book.