ZOMBIE AND BRAIN ARE FRIENDS

Zeb is your average zombie kid—he lives on his family’s farm raising grain-fed, free-range brains, which are then sold at the local farmers market.

One morning, a most unusual thing happens: A baby brain twitches to life and bounces into Zeb’s arms. Zeb and his brain (named Brian) quickly become inseparable. It takes some convincing for Zeb’s mother to let him keep Brian—“Brains are food, NOT pets!”—but finally she gives in. Fearing for Brian’s safety around his hungry zombie father, however, Zeb tearfully concludes that the safest place for Brian is out in the forest with the other wild brains. After assuring Zeb that Brian is in no real danger of being eaten, his father helps him on a quest to find Brian and bring him back home for good. Inviting digital illustrations portray Zeb and his family as angular, freckled green zombies with irresistibly cute cartoon faces. Brian and the other brains are equally huggable. While adults may find this buddy story a tad predictable, wrapping up as it does with a neat, happy ending, its quirky charm will readily appeal to young monster lovers. And for those who can make the connection between Zeb’s zany zombie farm and the real-world farm-to-table food system, this heartfelt picture book may even spark an interest in locally sourced fare.

A cuddly “Can I keep it?” tale with a silly, flesh-eating twist.