Children's Book: Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger

Tom Angleberger has once again written an amazing children’s comedy that finds kids in adult or silly situations. Fake Mustache (Amulet Books) is a mesh of many things -- including fairy tales and politics. This book has a little something for everyone: comedy, action, fantasy, suspense, surprises, doodles and much more! Not to mention all the different forms of writing.

This book is told from two people’s points of view, has a bit of screenplay writing, televised news, and helpful illustrations to perk up readers’ attention even more. The book promotes many products -- real and made-up, such as a mustache and other incredible toys -- with such creativity that kids will laugh their heads off. Angleberger has even been able to set it up for a possible sequel.

Fake Mustache is about how a fake mustache is all you need to rule the world. Lenny Flem Jr. and his friend, Casper Beuge, go to a toy store in hopes of getting a good bargain. Casper is intrigued by a deluxe handlebar mustache and buys it. That week, a short, mustachioed man goes around robbing banks with brainwashed minions. It doesn’t take Lenny long to put two and two together. He and his new friend, teen cowgirl Jodie O’Rodeo, must stop Casper from brainwashing and taking over the rest of the world.

So, the question stands: Is a fake mustache really all you need to rule the world?

Tom Angleberger is the author of many children’s novels,including Horton Halfpott and the Origami Yoda series. Like many authors today, he is a cartoonist who’s been able to incorporate his art into his stories. While the Origami Yoda books have doodles in the margins, Fake Mustache has huge, full-page, hilarious pictures to show readers what characters look like and to help understand what’s going on.

If you like Origami Yoda, you’ll love Fake Mustache. It’s fun and addictive from beginning to end. ◊

Ian Buchsbaum is a kid who loves to read. In fact, the only thing he loves more than reading is writing. He loves writing about books -- and he's already writing one of his own.