A Is for Asteroids, Z Is for Zombies

Quick book in the format of a children's book, but not meant for children! A way to laugh at the threats facing our society, but also a reminder to do something about them.

Review: A is For Asteroid, Z is for Zombie

This is not a children's book. {Shudder} If it doesn't give you nightmares and worries, you must be more jaded than I. This delightfully illustrated (in a horrifying fashion, reminiscent of the late, much-lamented, Charles Addams) compendium of eschatological woes is presented as a rhyming bedtime book read by a devoted father to his frightened son, who has been told about asteroid impact. By the time the father finishes, he and the reader are spine-chilled. Who knew the end of the world is possible in so many variants?

Another fantastically illustrated short book listing an alphabetical series of apocalyptic happenings, events or disasters as a bedtime story, that's definitely not for young children! I adored the illustrations even if they are a bit gory. I also loved the almost poem like writing which plays out each apocalyptic scene from zombies, viruses and bugs to Trump, ISIS (very current) and of course, asteroids.

An amusing parody of A to Z picture books - this is really a book for adults or older kids rather than actual picture-book-aged children, but, as an adult, I thought it was hilarious.

Just because this is a colourful, 40 page ABC picture book do not automatically assume that it is suitable for young kids. In fact it would make a fab gift for anyone who likes slightly dark humour, is interested in climate change and all things apocalyptic, or someone who just loves zombies.

Humorous and often terrifying, this book could also be slightly controversial to some people. Basically it is a cautionary tale about what could happen if we don't start looking after this planet a bit better. But then if the zombies get us first what does it matter....?

If you've read The Gashlycrumb Tinies then you will definitely like this book, although I'm honestly not sure if I would read either of them to actual children. But I guess most of us in my generation grew up reading that messed up book where the lady's head was actually held on with her choker necklace and we all turned out ...more or less okay. This is definitely a very fun and topical ABC book of different ways the world could end. While some are more classic, like asteroids and zombies, many are more topical, like G is for global warming and even T is for Trump. Definitely a 'fun' read [if you like your humor dark] and has great illustrations too.

Four and a half stars for a very droll picture book, with child-friendly verse portraying how the whole world is going to hell in a handcart, and in a multitude of ways. Proof, if proof were needed, that there's no better comedy than black, and that there needs to be more apocalypse in bedtime reading!

Instead of a good night story, a kid asks his dad about asteroids destroying the planet. Dad remembers a book a crazy relative gave them and checks it out before reading it aloud, a thoroughly smart move.
Though it masquerades as a children’s book, don’t you fall for it either. The looks the dad gives as he reads are priceless. Then, thoroughly scared, he hides in the most ironic place.
This author could teach a class on rhyming, especially with how badly it’s done in today’s music. Every letter gets a stanza, except Z, because zombies are so bad they need seven.
You need a particular brand of humor to enjoy this; I sure did.

Oh, my god. I loved this! A is for Asteroids, Z is for Zombies is absolutely hilarious. By the end of it I was in stitches. (Somewhat disgusted stitches, but stitches nonetheless.) Paul Lewis and Kenneth Kit Lamug have very twisted minds, and it shows through in this delightful picture book. There is every sort of end you could imagine mentioned in this book, including one about a certain little orange man that made me goggle and then giggle. I have to assume if he ever found out it existed, he'd go on an "Off with their heads!" rampage.

Wonderfully illustrated in primarily black, white, and red, A is for Asteroids, Z is for Zombies isn't for the squeamish either. There's guts and blood and all sorts of not very nice things on display. My favorite part, though, might just be the little illustrations in the lower corner of the pages showing the dad's reactions to what he is reading. That made the whole thing even funnier.

Folks, this is definitely not a kid's book. (At least not a *little* kids book.) Middle Grade+ might be okay with it, but even then it depends on the kid.

Kudos to the author and illustrator for creating a fantastic little picture book that every adult with a dark sense of humor should definitely pick up!

As others have said, this is definitely not a kids book. One thing it is: hilarious. I loved the picture of the father's face in the bottom left as he read the story and the myriad of doomsday scenarios it contains. I would recommend it to anyone with a few minutes of free time and a dark sense of humor.

I have to OWN this book! This is not your typical picture books. This one is for adults. There are some like me who might give it to kids of a certain age, but I am sure I am among the few. It’s an adult picture book in the vein of “Go the F**k to Sleep”. The rhymes are perfect, the illustrations creepy match. I see this being given to quite a few of my family members for Christmas.

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Where was this book when I was a child? This book is a catalog of horrors. They say it's not really for for kids but I assure you, if your child would be happy in the care of Miss Peregrine or Eleanor West, they will love it savagely. I know I would have!

NB- Heads up for those out there not counted among the side winning popular vote for 2016, the entry for "T" may make you pretty mad.

A is for Asteroids, Z is for Zombies
Paul Lewis and Ken Lamug

An Adult Bedtime Story Sure to Have You Laughing Before Snoring.

I absolutely adored this witty little graphic novel!

The beginning is a parody of the Night before Christmas. It begins like this:
Our little boy Timmy,
Tucked tight into bed,
Looked nervously toward me
And quietly said,
“Daddy, please tell me,
Will everyone die
When asteroids tumble
And fall from on high?

Once the father starts reading, it is an alphabet book parody. One of my favorites is:
I is for ISIS,
They’ll chop off your head,
Then give you no cookies
And send you to bed!

I have to limit myself to just those two quotes because it is tempting to quote the entire book as there is no filler here—everything is funny!

It is rare in a graphic novel to love both the text and the illustrations equally but that is true of my perceptions of this book. When the father is not reading the book, the illustrations are in a photorealistic manner with accurate shadows and colors. When reading the book, the illustrations are three color (black and white and one more primary color) cartoons. The father’s reactions to each page are shown in a small inset at the bottom of each book page. They are also hilarious!

Overall, this book is just hysterical. I highly recommend it to anyone who could use a laugh (except small children, of course). Trump supporters may also want to keep a sense of humor when getting to the T page (or just skip that one).

I want to thank the publisher, authors and netgalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published October 10, 2017.

This album is a pur marvel. I found it very poetic. The story: a little boy asks « why ». His father decides to help him with an album that was offered. This album shows us the different ways we can die. We pass from the asteroid to the melting of the ice by a revolt to end up the zombies. The words in four lines are very poetic in their horror. All that I love. The designs are just beautiful, both funny, ironic and tragic. It is interesting to have the reactions of the father every time at the bottom of the page sometimes facing the horror of the situation, sometimes just a disgust to the drawings. I really appreciated the constant presence of the little dog. On almost every board you see a small dog (that of the little boy). You can see it eat a dinosaur bone. I just regret the fact that he is not on all the boards. For example, he could have been on the asteroid. But that did not spoil my reading at all. This is the fourth time I've reread it. I think I would re-read it often. I really love it. Thank you for this beautiful moment

This made me laugh out loud. I love the poetry and the illustrations are great. In a too serious world this is an enjoyable light hearted read.

Are you a fan of dark humor? What about zombies? Are you the type of person who reads everything they can about the Apocalypse?

What about your kids? What do you tell them when they come home from school with questions about the future of our world?

Well, if you are anything like  author Paul Lewis, you create a faux-children's book of ABC's that allows you to list all the ways our civilization might end.

The next step is to find an illustrator that can bring your vision to life. That is where KENNETH KIT LAMUG comes in.

Between the twisted imaginings of Paul Lewis and the equally, if not more so twisted drawings of Kenneth Kit Lamug, what you end up with is an uproariously funny book that is sure to become an instant Bestseller. I for one will be purchasing several hardcover copies for myself and my friends.

The fact that each page of the book is told in sing-song rhyming prose adds to the overall unreal quality of this hilarious book.

If I had the skills to write a book of this kind, this would be exactly how I would want it to turn out.

What I want to say most, is that I recommend this book as highly as possible. If you do not add it to your must-buy list, then you will be missing out. In fact, I forsee many awards and accolades in this book's future. Let's just hope that Paul Lewis receives his rewards before one of the apocalyptic scenarios comes to pass.

5 out of 5 Stars for this highly imaginative, highly entertaining, and uproariously funny book. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟   

*I would like to say a special Thank You 5o Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.

You can already tell it's going to be cute from the cover alone, but even better than I hoped - simple and to the point rhymes by the alphabet covering all sorts of scenarios where things can go wrong - fast.

The rhymes and perils of dooms are joined with illustrated, graphic details of these horrors awaiting mankind - everything from aliens to zombies to viruses. We even get Trump who is going to paint our heads orange!

There's a small round avatar of the father in black n white as he reads the children's story along with his son - everything from horror to anger to confusion graces his face when he flips the pages. There's a funny final page showing what happens to the father when he tries to reassure his kid.

There's chuckles, there's color, there's humor, there's ... warning, kind of. Well, not really, this is a spoof on some things we already know and fear. Mankind - are we doomed??

If I had a complaint, it would be that it's a little short. I guess that's the trend for these quick kid goodnight stories though...*sniff, sniff*

Definitely not a kids book even though it might look like one. I enjoyed the images of the father reading the story in the bottom left corner. I noticed my expressions similar to his at times. The rhyme and illustrations are quite good, even if the story over all is a tad gloomy. I actually enjoyed the book though some of the items I do not agree with, I took it all in fun. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book, but I do not know that it would be one I would buy. I might so that I could share it with friends to see their reactions. It is one of those books, you really do not need to read more than once, but you still can have fun sharing and talking about it with friends. Have a look and enjoy it for the humor itis meant to be.

What a fun read! Warning ⚠️ not for kids!

V is for viruses
Now unrestrained,
Melting your organs,
Digesting your brains!

Its great if you have a dark sense of humor :)

Paul Lewis has provided a decent bedtime story that may or may not induce nightmares in children to whom it is read. It would all depend upon the kid. If they like Edward Lear, they are likely to enjoy this book. The illustrations do make this book. Especially the look on the father's face as he keeps reading the book. It does have a nice ending, child asleep and Daddy under the bed!

I found this book to be both upsetting and funny at the same time. It is exactly what I feel people are scared about and talking about all the time. Adult fears in current times. I feel would be a fun read at an adult dinner party and quirky table book or a gag gift to your conspiracy or news loving friends. I would NOT recommend it for kids. However teens are very aware of the topics even more so than some adults so i know they could handle it too. A refreshing real look at the upsetting issues and concerns in teen and adult world make into a short kids style book.

Now, this is my kind of book! I expect that the level of childlike joy I experienced while reading A is for Asteroids, Z is for Zombies and examining the gory illustrations shows just how much of a sick, sick puppy I am.

I inherited my warped sense of humour from my beloved Nan (the coolest person I've ever met) who, despite her adoration of cats and adoption of too many to count throughout her life, owned a well worn copy of 101 Uses for a Dead Cat by Simon Bond. This was one of my favourite books growing up. I would page through it every time I visited Nan and ended up buying my own copy as an adult. The humour in this book reminds me of Simon Bond's.

My Nan would have loved A is for Asteroids, Z is for Zombies just as much as I do. Taking on some serious contenders for our impending doom, then adding verse that rhymes and lulls you into a false sense of security with the feel of a children's bedtime story, Paul Lewis has done a fantastic job with this book.

The illustrations, mostly black and white with the appropriate splashes of red, bring the words to life (or should that be death...). Kenneth Kit Lamug has captured the tale perfectly with simple yet detailed, devastating yet hilarious, scenes of destruction. I loved watching the father's expression change throughout his reading of Aunt Dorcas' thoughtful gift for Tim, her nephew.

I expect this book could be polarising but if you aren't my kind of person I doubt you'd pick it up in the first place. For those who do pick it up, you're in for a treat that I'm certain you'll be compelled to read more than once.

I received an ARC from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback. This has just become one of my favourite reads of the year.

I love this A-Z, it's perfect and I want it now!!

Not sure if it is really a children's book but I loved it! Certain letters are a really shocker but are topics that children may encounter on tv. This book could be used as a way to broach topics that children have questions about. I am going to suggest this book for purchase for our library collection. It will be a good addition to assignments on alphabet books & censorship (I have a feeling this book could be found on the ALA banned booked list in the future, along with many great books).

Wow! This book would make a great gift.....for an ADULT. Humorous look at problems plaguing the world today. Great illustrations and hysterical text. Again, NOT for children!

Similar to the works of Gorey, this delightfully macabre book both frightens and amuses with its black, white and red illustrations and the creepy stanzas. Perfect not only for future angst but also stormy autumn eves and Halloween.

This is a grown up children's book playing on some of our darkest fears while being funny.
A father reads his son a book that the child's twisted Aunt Dorcas gave them to answer his zombie questions. While the child gets a charming A-Z poem, the father is left stressing out about the end of the world.
I enjoyed the way the father's picture in picture reacted to each new threat to his world. I also enjoyed each little poem tackling head on issues real and fantasy that will end our world. Each letter entry spends a page on each threat until you get to Z as the author has a lot to say on zombies.
Charming and fun, this is a fun at to deal with some real issues facing this world.

I love, love, love this hilarious and clever rhyming book outlining 26 possible disaster scenarios. Including Extraterrestrials and Fracking! If you are a crazy aunt or uncle, load up for the holidays. Great fun!

A IS FOR ASTEROIDS, Z IS FOR ZOMBIES is definitely right up there with GO THE F**K TO SLEEP and IF YOU GIVE A MOMMY A GLASS OF WINE...it looks at first glance like it's for children, but in reality it's a satirical adult version based on children's classics.

I definitely found each of the chosen "words" entertaining and the illustrations are awesome. To me, "T" was the most terrifying and appropriate for an apocalyptic alphabet book, but maybe that's slightly biased opinion on my part. :-)

Definitely recommending this to a few friends.

Clearly, we all know this is not a children's book. This is not the kind of book you would buy for a child who, say, accidentally watched an episode of The Walking Dead, or, even worse, an episode of the nightly news, and needs reassurance that the end is not quite nigh.

Yeah, this isn't the book for that.

For the rest of us, though, this book is hilarious. Every letter of the alphabet poetically summing up how the world is probably going to end any day now. While waiting to see which catastrophe finally takes us all out, leaving behind only cockroaches, Cher, and twinkies, here's a book to tide you over and keep you amused.

Beware the T. It's the most dangerous of them all.

A great book to teach our kids about new things .......

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
The apocalypse is coming and it has rhyming maladies from A to Z. Part cautionary tale, part twisted bedtime story, and all awesome - A is for Asteroids, Z is for Zombies is the perfect antidote for the average (read gentle and sweet) story to read aloud. The illustrations are perfectly gruesome and add to the macabre sensibility of the book. Really, this is the ideal Halloween story for adults and for brave children.

'A Is for Asteroids, Z Is for Zombies: A Bedtime Book about the Coming Apocalypse' by Paul Lewis with illustrations by Ken Lamug is the kind of bedtime book to read if you don't really want to sleep.

One night at bed, Timmy has questions about the end of the world. Tim's father remembers a book that Tim received for Halloween that they had hidden because it was too grim. What follows is an ABC book with all the various ways the world can end. From global warming to killer robots to asteroids and zombies, the book is told in gleeful rhyme with beautifully terrifying illustrations. We get an inset of Tim's horrified face as he reads the book to his son.

This is really not a kids book unless you have a kid that won't have nightmares based on this book. The situations are told tongue in cheek, but they are truly scary. The illustrations are fabulous, and the rhymes actually have the right meter! This is a gift book for an older child who likes all things apocalypse.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.