We’re big Aldo Zelnick fans in my house! My son was quite excited to receive the newest book: Hotdogger written by Karla Oceanak and illustrated by Kendra Spanjer. This latest book will not disappoint! “It is hilarious and epic!”, says my soon to be 10- year- old son. Hotdogger, an Aldo Zelnick Comic Novel will soon hit the shelves and is available from Bailiwick Press. It’s an illustrated novel for middle-grade readers ages 7-13. Hotdogger continues the laugh-out-loud adventures of 10-year-old Aldo Zelnick. To Aldo’s dismay, the Zelnicks are planning a family ski trip in effort to combat the boredom brought on by the humdrum month of January. Aldo doesn’t know how to ski and seems weary of going. Feeling unusually confident, Aldo hits the slopes, ready to show off his skills! But will his hotdogging make Aldo a hero, or will it be hazardous to his health? You have to read the book yourself to find out! But, my son and I enjoyed reading the latest adventures of Aldo Zelnick in the latest book: Hotdogger.
The Aldo Zelnick books, hardcover novels for 7-to-13 year olds, feature the hybrid half-text, half illustration format made popular by the Wimpy Kid series. I have to admit we like the Wimpy Kid series but Aldo Zelnick is a smarter and more creative..dare I say it? Yes, a smarter and more artistic character. My son can relate to Aldo because he is funny and realistic and his friends Jack and Bee also have such fun personalities. Unique to the series is the emphasis on vocabulary. Each book integrates fun and challenging words starting with the title letter. Hotdogger features hilarious H words such as hornswoggled and hubris. Each book also includes a back-of-the-book glossary with the words aptly (and amusingly) defined-and sometimes illustrated-in Aldo’s voice and hand. Now, how cool is that!? Shh! Kids won’t even know they are learning! They can have fun reading and learn new words all at the same time.
Self Disclosure: I received this book to facilitate this review.
[…] their glowing review of Hotdogger, the SoCal City Kids blogger says her soon-to-be 10-year-old son can relate to Aldo because […]