Gr 3-6 An interesting collaboration between Millionaire, creator of the "Sock Monkey" comics, and animation artist, Danner. Both artists share a love of dark humor, as evidenced by the humorously bizarre and sinister plot of Into the Deep Woods . Popular characters from previous comics including Ann-Louise, a young girl; Mr. Crow, an old plush crow with button eyes; and Inches, a ceramic baby doll, are all present. Readers will be drawn into the fantastical plot as a monkey in the jungle struggles with a throbbing tooth. He plucks a hair from a wildebeest, ties it around his tooth, and tugs. Abruptly, the narrator becomes the falling monkey tooth. The tooth lands beside a rare orchid, and along comes Professor Rimperton who unknowingly digs up the tooth along with a rare orchid and that is how the tooth ends up in Ann-Louise's house. Through a series of comically unlikely events involving the tooth, the orchid, and Professor Rimperton's sock, Gabby the sock monkey is born, and adventures with Ann-Louise and the toys begin. During one of their treks, Ann-Louise is separated from her beloved toys. While on a quest to find her, the toys encounter many weird characters: a horrible glowing-eyed, hairy monster called the Amarok; Trumbernick, a wizened little old troll-type character who gives them a ride on his ship; some soldier bears who are protecting their mountain town. Millionaire's lushly detailed illustrations sensationally complement the outlandish plot. Combining elements from several children's classics, including Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth , Johnny Gruelle's Raggedy Ann Stories , L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , and Lewis Caroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland , this illustrated novel will satisfy young fantasy fans who crave murky wit. Also a solid choice for readers who have devoured Jeff Smith's "Bone" series (Image Comics). Julie Shatterly, W. A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC