Cuphead and his pals go to a carnival.Cuphead makes his middle-grade debut in this silly symphony inspired by the popular run-and-gun video game. It's Elder Kettle's birthday, and Cuphead is eager to make the day one that will never be forgotten. With the help of Mughead and Ms. Chalice, Cuphead hopes to find a wonderful gift for Elder Kettle. However, a magical carnival beckons, sucking the trio in with promises of games, rides, and fun. The carnival serves as a backdrop for a series of absurd events, and Cuphead does his best to protect his money from the bamboozlers and tricksters desperate to get their hands on his cash. The book features illustrations by Studio MDHR's Miller that evoke the golden age of American animation, when Walt Disney and Looney Tunes were at their peaks. The book's tone blends the smirking asides of Tex Avery ("Ah, the bouncing ball-where would sing-alongs be without it?") with the heartfelt aw-shucks emotions of early Mickey Mouse cartoons. Fans of the Cuphead video game will delight, but even those completely unfamiliar will find plenty to enjoy here. The book incorporates a hide-and-seek game, the backmatter featuring two pages of characters and objects that readers are encouraged to flip through and find in the backgrounds of illustrations. Some are vexingly difficult.A sweet and silly expansion of a popular brand. (Fantasy. 8-12)