A Review of Bloop
Author: Tara Lazar
Illustrator: Mike Boldt
Publisher: Harper/Harper Collins
Year: August, 2021
JACKET COPY: In his quest to become the next emperor of Planet XYZ, Bloop makes too many bloopers. So he's sent to Earth to conquer that crazy planet first. Who's in charge there? Dogs, of course! Other creatures feed them and pick up their poop! Bloop tries to master these maddening mutts and prove that he's top dog. But once Bloop gets a taste of the good life on Earth, what will he do when he's summoned back to XYZ?
Tara Lazar's hilarious text perfectly pairs with Mike Boldt's vibrant art in this picture book about an alien who truly finds his true home.
At the onset, Bloop is a relatable character -- what kid doesn't make a few bloopers while trying to achieve something great or measure up to someone else?
But what I really like about this (and what kids will love as well) is that it is an entirely clever spin on a dog story (these of course, are often popular). So dogs -- YES and a mash-up with an alien visiting planet earth -- YES PLEASE!
But if that, along with Mike Boldt's engaging and endearing dog illustrations have not yet convinced you to dig up a copy of this book, here's three reason to read:
1. Bloop's attitude and point of view as to what he observes on earth is humorous and yet speaks identifiable truths.
2. The theme of not really knowing what you want until you experience it is an important one. Kids will observe Bloop's unique way of following his own path to becoming a leader that works for him, and will take away something from that.
3. A fun and clever twist at the end that nods to the possibility of more adventures with Bloop.
Make no mistake - Bloop is a wonderfully fun dog book with a wonderful message.
Purchase Bloop here: https://amzn.to/37VzdhS
Check out Tara's many fun and fabulous picture books here: Tara Lazar.
REVIEW BY: Lynne Marie
Lynne Marie is the author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten -- art by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of School -- art by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play -- art by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares -- art by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling 2019 and Scholastic 2019) and Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World -- art by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books 2019), The Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project -- art by Wendy Fedan (Mac and Cheese Press / CAW Publishing, November 2021) and American Pie -- art by Dea Lenihan (Dancing Flamingo Press 2022).
She’s also the Owner and Administrator of both RateYourStory.org and ThePictureBookMechanic.com, as well as a long-time Travel Agent with PixieVacations.com (www.pixievacationsbylynnemarie.com)! She's been a Cybil's Judge in the Fiction Picture Books and Board Books category since 2016. Recently, she's been handed the ReFoReMo torch from Kirsti Call and Carrie Charley Brown, which will return under it's new name March On With Mentor Texts in March, 2022 (www.rateyourstory.org/march-on). You can join her at her weekly Tinker and Talk Book Chat here: Tinker and Talk Book Chat by The Picture Book Mechanic | Facebook
When she’s not searching for story ideas all over the globe, she lives on a lake in South Florida with her family, a Schipperke named Anakin and several resident water birds. Visit her at www.LiterallyLynneMarie.com. Lynne Marie is represented by Marisa Cleveland of www.theseymouragency.com