Dear possible reader of this book, I want to be a writer, just like my uncle Harold, who wrote a bunch of books about our friend Bunnicula. So I wrote this story. And boy! Did I ever get into trouble! My friend Delilah stopped speaking to me because I put her in my book. Uncle Harold stopped speaking to me because I didn't put him in my book. A writer's life isn't easy! But back to my story: It's about how a talented and lovable (not to mention smart) wirehaired dachshund puppy named Howie saves the world from a disgusting, evil menace named...oops, that would give away the story. But trust me, this menace is disgusting and evil, all right!!! Uncle Harold, who is speaking to me again, says it's an exciting book, even though it has too many adjectives. I have no idea what he's talking about. I just hope you like the story. Your friend, Howie Grade 3-6-Yet another canine member of the Monroe menagerie flirts with literary glory in this mock horror tale. Harold, the "sad-eyed, droopy-eared" stories-must-be-told narrator of previous adventures, defers to his "nephew" to script this series, and the books turn out to be unexpected how-to-write-a-story primers. Harold serves as Howie's experienced editor who offers (often hilariously unheeded) advice and sage insight into a writer's lonely, compulsive, roller-coaster life. His timeless "write what you know" pearl transforms into a narcissistic, Woody Allenesque parody of a detective novel in which literary license has obviously been revoked. Howie revises as Harold criticizes and the story about conquering a ravenous stuffed koala bear that has come to life takes off. Notebook-like "Howie's Writing Journal" pages are interspersed throughout the text to apprise readers of his tortuous writing process. These "tales" could easily become the standard textbook for creative-writing classes. John Sigwald, Unger Memorial Library, Plainview, TX Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. Reviewed with James Howe's Invasion of the Mind Swappers from Asteroid 6! Gr. 3-6. What's a precocious wirehaired dachshund named Howie doing keeping a journal and writing books? As a member of the fabled Monroe family of Bunnicula fame, he's aspiring to be like Harold, resident dog author and honorary uncle. In It Came from beneath the Bed! Howie makes a bold foray into writing (with advice from Harold) in an adventure about a stuffed koala that assumes monstrous proportions when he accidentally ingests some of Pete Monroe's science-project potion. In Mind Swappers , Howie concocts an sf tale about invading aliens who take over the personalities of earthlings. The chapters alternate between Howie's journal, filled with droll observations and tongue-in-cheek humor that stem from Harold's writing instruction, and chapters in Howie's own tales. Real author Howe has provided elementary students with an ingenious lesson in how to write, seamlessly blended with two first-rate tales starring a whimsical protagonist. Anne O'Malley Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved James Howe is the author of more than ninety books for young readers. Bunnicula , coauthored by his late wife Deborah and published in 1979, is considered a modern classic of children’s literature. The author has written six highly popular sequels, along with the spinoff series Tales from the House of Bunnicula and Bunnicula and Friends. Among his other books are picture books such as Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores and beginning reader series that include the Pinky and Rex and Houndsley and Catina books. He has also written for older readers. The Misfits , published in 2001, inspired the nationwide antibullying initiative No Name-Calling Week, as well as three sequels, Totally Joe , Addie on the Inside , and Also Known as Elvis. A common theme in James Howe’s books from preschool through teens is the acceptance of difference and being true to oneself. Visit him online at JamesHowe.com.