Stink Moody in Master of Disaster

The latest addition to the Judy Moody and Friends series focuses on little brother Stink in three loosely connected chapters. The story opens with the Moody siblings camping out in their backyard, hoping to see the famous Sherman-Holm comet. Stink is later alarmed by reports of a comet crashing into Russia and, as master of disaster, constructs a series of elaborate preparations in the basement to protect the family. The book wraps up with Judy and Stink arguing about what to name a star that Stink has ordered by mail. The use of full-color illustrations reminiscent of animation cells carries a very different feel from the original series and may be off-putting to readers already familiar with Judy Moody; many, however, will be drawn to the lush, inviting scenes. Although lacking the same tang of mischievousness found in the books for older readers, this slim volume is a gentle introduction to Stink for newly independent readers.--Szwarek, Magan Copyright 2015 Booklist

In three vignettes, Stink and Judy watch the night sky for a comet in a sweet sibling moment; Stink worries about (and prepares for) an asteroid hitting Earth; and Stink names a star. McDonald has done a stellar job of transferring the appeal of the original Judy Moody series into transitional readers; full-bleed illustrations bring the beloved characters to bright, colorful life. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.