The Cardboard Kingdom #2: Roar of the Beast by Chad Sell

Your Imagination + Cardboard = The Construction of Fun!

Publisher’s Blurb:

A mystery is afoot in the Cardboard Kingdom.

Vijay, the Beast, renounces his title after being bullied by neighborhood teenagers. No one–not his big sister Shikha or his friends–can seem to draw him back out of his shell.

That very night is when it starts. At first, no one believes Nate, who breaks his leg trying to pursue what he saw from his bedroom window. But then there’s another, and another. An unknown monster has been spotted roaming the Kingdom after dark. It’s ghastly, it’s quick, and it might even have giant tentacles. Or claws. Or wings. Okay, there might be some varied testimonies on what exactly this monster looks like.

Forget Halloween–the newly minted Monster Mashers will go to any lengths to protect the Kingdom and uncover this mystery. But how did the monster get here? What does it want? And mostly importantly, who is behind its creation?

I had an absolute blast reading and reviewing the Chad Sell’s first Cardboard Kingdom graphic novel… And when I saw that the author/ illustrator created Roar of the Beast, I knew I had to check it out.

I was not disappointed: All the characters are back from the first book… and conflicts arise as they ramp up for Halloween. Each has a particular vision of how they want this special holiday to go… Yet, things get in the way… bullies and… a monster?

The artwork, the diversity of the characters, and the individually-crafted storylines create a perfect sequel!

Chad Sell’s Website: Click through to find coloring pages inspired by the series… and instructions to make the Cardboard Kingdom’s masks! I already downloaded a couple designs to work on with my own kids. Also of note: while writing this review I took a minute to write a friend an email about this book. I love this series!

5 out of 5 starts

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Kids, and the author for an advanced copy for review.