Techtite's Hardcopy: Book Reviews

"From the first time kids hear the concept of the evening ('What? Everyone we know is giving away candy! Take me with you! I'll wear anything!') to those goofy bought- from- store masks with that thin rubber band that breaks in mere minutes, every humorous memory is covered here."

---from the review

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It's always a pleasure when getting more of Jerry Seinfeld; the comedian whose sitcom defined "must see TV Thursdays" for so many years. So it's a real Halloween treat (a bad pun, I know) to read a children's book by Seinfeld, that is so much fun for all ages Just like his series, Seinfeld jokes about a typical event in every American's life --Halloween as children-- that every adult and child will relate to. Kids will love it because they can identify with it "now"; parents will love it because, no matter how long ago, that which is "Halloween" never changes.

The story is based on a monologue by Seinfeld, a la the start of his series all those years. He begins it with the first time kids hear the concept of Tricks-or-Treats ('What? Everyone we know is giving away candy! Take me with you! I'll wear anything!'), then moves on to joke about those goofy bought- from- store masks with that thin rubber band that always breaks in mere minutes. Anyone who's gone out Halloween night can relate to Jerry's anecdotes, particularly when telling how he finally got to wear a costume he loved, only to have his weather-conscious mom force him to wear a bulky corduroy jacket over it. Yep, that's Halloween night to a "T"...for all of us!

Of course, this book gets its success from the same roots as the classic Seinfeld sitcom in the 1990's; it is a book about the "nothings" in life that we, particularly as children, build up to be life-or-death affairs. Anyone can remember that moment you bought that costume of your favorite hero, only to realize it isn't quite the same when worn by a little kid. What is with those little strings that tie the costume around the back, anyway? Of course, there's fond memories too, like when you come home to create a whole punch bowl filled to the brim with candy, then you spend all night eating it. Those were the days. It's surprising nobody has ever effectively preserved such childhood memories in storybook form. Jerry now has, and it's bound to become a classic.

Of course, no children's storybook can be without excellent drawings. Therefore, great kudos must go to illustrator James Bennett, whose depiction of Jerry as a kid is almost as funny as the words that accompany each picture. In keeping with the tone of an adult reminiscing about their childhood through adult eyes, Jerry's adult head is attached to a little boy's body. That's pretty much what kids see themselves as; "adult" minds that just happen to be stuck in the body of a little kid. It enhances both the humor and the reality of the story.

This book's only downside is something that both child and adult alike may feel; they want the hilarity to continue. Unfortunately, this is a children's book, so after 32 pages, that's about it. However, far be it from me to fault a children's book for being short and brief. I remember my favorite book as a First grader, about Grover and, as the "ominous" title implied, The Monster at the End of This Book. That lasted for around 24 pages. This book is only slightly longer, though the desire to keep on reading --or just read it all over again-- is stronger than ever.