Zombie in Love (2011) brought together undead lovebirds Mortimer and Mildred, but their nest just got smaller: a gurgling (and quite alive) baby left on their crypt-step. The duo is "scared to death" about being parents due to the odd behavior of the child. Why, it doesn't enjoy eating cans of strained brains! And its teeth are coming in instead of falling out! This reverse-view of a baby's growth cycle will generate laughs, even from those who can barely conceive of what a zombie is. Mostly, Mortimer and Mildred are disturbed by Sonny's, well, happiness. After a trip to Dr. Frank N. Stein confirms the infant is healthy, it takes Sonny stumbling and shrieking to make the parents relieved: "Do you hear that, dear?' Mortimer asked, beaming with pride. It's positively terrifying!'" As before, this is an excellent package: the headstone-height trim provides plenty of space for Campbell's mold- and rot-colored washes, which especially excel at bug-eyed close-ups. DiPucchio has another winner here; one wonders if the family can hold together (literally) for a third installment. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Best-seller DiPucchio has struck up a winning concept, one that should keep galvanizing new readerships.

PreS-Gr 2 In this clever follow-up to DiPucchio and Campbell's Zombie in Love (S. & S., 2011), zombie couple Mortimer and Mildred don't know what to do when a bouncing, live baby shows up on their doorstep. Sonny, as they quickly name him, doesn't care for bat pudding or mud to eat, hardly ever cries or wails, and keeps them awake all day long. They fret over advice books like any new parents, consult the pediatrician, and finally, one day, the boy sleeps through the day. "You know what, darling?" Mildred says to her husband, "I think he has your nose!" And their new baby sure doeshe's pulled the nose right off of Daddy's zombie face to use as a teether. That's just one of the icky-funny puns. This book lends itself well to family storytimes: kids will adore the zombie humor, and parents will recognize their own experiences in Mildred and Mortimer's struggles. After all, don't all new parents go through a phase where they feel like zombies? Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD