April 20, 2020
Two siblings get the surprise of their lives when the teddy bears they assembled at their local Create-a-Ted store on Halloween come to life as part of a plush army determined to conquer the town. It’s bad enough that Lisa-Marie’s witch bear is capable of casting magical spells, such as turning her mother into a slug, but her older stepbrother Vernon’s “vampire, pirate, warlock and alien” bear, dubbed Grizz, is pure evil and bent on wreaking havoc. With the town overrun by plush aliens, ghosts, werewolves, and more, and Bearvis, a heroic Elvis-themed bear, by their sides, Lisa-Marie and Vernon must confront the mastermind capable of transforming cuddly toys into wicked monsters. Hutchison’s (Anty Hero) series opener capably balances the absurd, the adorable, and an emphasis on family and loyalty as the quarreling siblings learn to work together amid their dire situation. Cosgrove’s cartoonish illustrations add a humorous touch to this adventure-packed story just right for reluctant readers. Ages 8–12.