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Zombiekins

by Kevin Bolger (Goodreads Author) (author), Aaron Blecha (Goodreads Author) (Illustrator)

3.8 of 5 stars 3.80 · rating details · 387 ratings · 82 reviews

Fourth-grader Stanley Nudelman is about as wimpy as they come?he?s cowardly, shy, and spends most of his time hiding from the school bully, Knuckles Bruzkowski! Then Stanley stumbles upon the yard sale of his neighbor, Old Lady Imavitch, where he buys a mysterious stuffed animal. But this isn?t any old toy . . . it?s Zombiekins! He?s a little bit teddy, a little bit bunny,...more

Hardcover, 224 pages

Published June 24th 2010 by Razorbill

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Sep 17, 2011 Ceridwen rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: kids who like to be a little bit scared

Shelves: childrens, zombies, o-canada, middle-grade, bunnies

I have very few pieces of actual art in my house not made by someone I'm related to. My favorite of the few exogamous pieces is a pencil with the words "The future is stupid" embossed on it. I don't know who the artist is. It was hanging in the frame shop I worked at forever, mostly to show off how we could frame objects. I would regularly freak out about this pencil to my boyfriend-now-husband, how it was this great commentary on an educational system that pays lip service to creativity while b...more I have very few pieces of actual art in my house not made by someone I'm related to. My favorite of the few exogamous pieces is a pencil with the words "The future is stupid" embossed on it. I don't know who the artist is. It was hanging in the frame shop I worked at forever, mostly to show off how we could frame objects. I would regularly freak out about this pencil to my boyfriend-now-husband, how it was this great commentary on an educational system that pays lip service to creativity while boiling it all down to a bunch of bubble-tests taken with No 2 pencils. There's a lot in the educational system that lends itself to a zombie narrative, what with all the pedagogical lobotomizing and whatnot. He bought it from the owner of the frame shop, slyly, because he is grand.

Anyway, I picked this up nearly a year ago on a big book-buying extravaganza with the kiddies. "Oh look!" My psycho obsession with zombies cried, "A book about zombie plush dolls for the middle school set!!" So I threw it in the cart. Of course, we get it home, and the boy will have nothing to do with it, given that he's a sensitive sort who doesn't really like kiddie horror. He demanded that I remove it from his room and keep it far away from him, because the very idea freaks him out. Okay, so I did, and it's been on my bedside table since then.

But I've been thinking about kiddie horror recently because the girl is not the sensitive sort, and she's been seeking out the scary for herself. We bought a copy of the movie 9 because of my husband's obsessions with steampunk, and I was unsure about showing it to them. Just because it's a cartoon doesn't it mean it's for children, right, boom anime babes? So I did the thing where I watched it with them with my finger twitching over the pause button, just waiting for the freakout. It's pretty tense, what with all the post-apocalyptic landscapes and evil robot cats (cats are pretty evil in any form). The boy wandered off to other pursuits, knowing himself well enough to know this wasn't for him, but the girl fully loved it. "I like when things are a little bit scary," she said. "Can we watch it again?" So she's seen it like eleventy million times.

So, Stanley Nudelman picks up a zombie doll, the eponymous Zombiekins, from a yard sale at his creepy neighbor's. It comes with instructions that he immediately discards, à la Gremlins. He takes Zombiekins with him to school, who begins biting kiddies and turning them into docile slaves/flesh eating monsters. Much of this is funny/scary, like a Dawn of the Dead commentary on conformity run through Dickens, Simon Pegg, and Scooby Doo. The characters have great names, like someone with the last name Lickspittle, and some of the events are honestly freaky. But then the doll is referred to as a stuffy the whole time, and my immature brain couldn't handle this; too much like stiffy. Is this Canadian slang for plush doll?

You can't really go for the kill with middle grade horror though, and I'm not suggesting you should, so the whole thing is a little sweet and confounding. And neither of my kids have read it, so I can't report their feelings either. The girl might like it in a few years time, though she may not, because horror is as personal as comedy. You either feel it in your shoes twitching to run, or you don't. I thought of the pencil though, floating serenely in its well cut mats, so that is something. I hope the kids make out of their schooling alive. Scritch....scratch...

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Nov 08, 2011 Sara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-books, read-in-2011, summerbooktalk2012

This is one of those laugh-out-loud kid books that adults will enjoy reading too -- I mean, what kid is going to understand the sentence "Elsewhere in the school, it was center time downstairs in Ms. Mellow's kindergarten and the classroom was bustling with non-gender-specific-role-playing activities," and what adult isn't going to think that's hilarious?

This one has pretty much everything a 4th grade boy could want -- humor, disgustingness, and...well...zombie stuffed animals.

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Mar 04, 2011 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: guys-read, humor, j, horror, light, not-graphic

The ongoing joke, captured perfectly, is that school students are so gross and unruly and school teachers so self-righteous and oblivious that nothing changes when the students at Dementedyville's elementary school are all gradually turned into zombies. No one notices, except our protagonist and his best friend, who have accidentally brought this danger to the school in the form of Zombiekins. Zombiekins is a strange stuffed toy that Stanley bought at a yard sale, a sale at Number 4 Shadow Lane,...more

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Jan 08, 2011 Sara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Zombiekins by Kevin Bloger follows Stanley who finds a zombie stuffed animal. When Stanley takes Zombiekins to school and it bites the school bully and a bunch of kindergartners are bitten Stanley and his friends have to figure out how to save the school.

My daughter loved this book so much that she drew pictures of Zombiekins for weeks. She was excited to tell me what happened next and thought it was hysterical. The pictures are funny and well drawn and make the book perfect for kids who are rel...more

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Oct 26, 2010 The Rusty Key rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed by Rusty Key Writer: Becca Worthington

Recommended for: Ages 9-11

One Word Summary: Zombie-larious

First of all, when we’re talking about an author whose last book was titled Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger, you know you’re entering goofy giggle-kid territory. If the thought of a zombie stuffed animal tickles your funny bone, then you will absolutely love Zombiekins. And if you don’t find the idea of an undead plush toy to be particularly humorous, then... well, (1) you’re silly, and (2) i...more Reviewed by Rusty Key Writer: Becca Worthington

Recommended for: Ages 9-11

One Word Summary: Zombie-larious

First of all, when we’re talking about an author whose last book was titled Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger, you know you’re entering goofy giggle-kid territory. If the thought of a zombie stuffed animal tickles your funny bone, then you will absolutely love Zombiekins. And if you don’t find the idea of an undead plush toy to be particularly humorous, then... well, (1) you’re silly, and (2) it doesn’t matter because you’ll probably still love the book anyway.

In the quiet town of Dementedyville, third grader Stanley Nudelman goes to a yard sale at Widow Imavitch’s eerie near-abandoned house, where he finds himself drawn to a strange stuffed animal. It’s part bear and part rabbit, with webbed claws, one dangling eye, and two tiny fangs instead of a bunny’s buckteeth. The box says it is “Zombiekins.” Sure, all the neighborhood dogs run howling at the sight of it, but it seems harmless enough… until that night in the moonlight when a strange thing happens: Zombiekins claws his way out of the toy chest and limps across the playroom toward the teddy bear tea party, where he tears the other stuffed animals to shreds.

That day Stanley takes Zombiekins to school. It’s weird, one-of-a-kind, and a total hit with everyone except the school bully Knuckles Bruzkowski and Stanley’s teacher Mr. Baldengrumpy. Back in class while everyone is watching a movie, things take a turn for the terrifying when Zombiekins escapes into the school halls, limping his way with a “Stump!–scri-i-i-i-i-itch… Stump!–scri-i-i-i-i-itch” through the kindergarteners, the music class, the fourth graders’ dodgeball game, even into the terrifying girls’ bathroom, turning children into zombies left and right. Will Stanley be able to catch his demented doll before the whole school is overrun with undead students?

Kevin Bolger obviously had a lot of fun writing this—almost as much fun as I had reading it—and Aaron Blecha’s illustrations on every page make their own jokes and achieve the perfect balance of icky and adorable. Deeply squeamish children may find the story to be a little tense or the illustrations a little gross at times, but it is overall very safe for young children. Plus, as a bonus for parents, Zombiekins is one of those rare books that is an absolute delight to read out loud, full of inside jokes for adults (it had my father laughing out loud) while remaining perfectly entertaining for upper elementary students who will undoubtedly get a kick out of zombie toddlers eating chalk. Stanley’s quest for bravery is exciting to follow, and the book is a fun, zippy adventure from start to finish. It’s an inspiring collaboration by two strong creative minds. This is 100 percent guaranteed fun for the whole family.

For more reviews from The Rusty Key, visit us at www.therustykey.com
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Nov 03, 2012 Samantha Adkins rated it 4 of 5 stars

Stanley Nudelman finds a cute little zombie stuffy while shopping at the local witch’s yard sale. He takes it home where his dog freaks out, but he thinks nothing much of it. The next morning, all of his sister’s toys are mangled and ripped apart, so he takes Zombiekins to school.

Zombiekins is a fun read full of fantastic illustrations. I’m pretty sure Bolger’s goal of reaching boy readers will be met with this tale. I would not recommend it for younger readers as it is rather violent in parts....more

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Aug 02, 2010 Mevurah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, reviewed

In the town of Dementedyville nothing exciting ever happens. Perhaps the only thing interesting yet scary about the town is Old Lady Imavitch and her house on the hill at Number 4 Shadow Lane, where gloom and darkness seems to reside every single day. But the dullness is about to change when Old Lady Imavitch holds a yard sale and everyone in town heads off to see what they can buy for a good bargain.

Stanely Nudleman and his friend Miranda, who are both 4th graders, check out the yard sale only...more In the town of Dementedyville nothing exciting ever happens. Perhaps the only thing interesting yet scary about the town is Old Lady Imavitch and her house on the hill at Number 4 Shadow Lane, where gloom and darkness seems to reside every single day. But the dullness is about to change when Old Lady Imavitch holds a yard sale and everyone in town heads off to see what they can buy for a good bargain.

Stanely Nudleman and his friend Miranda, who are both 4th graders, check out the yard sale only to find useless junk until Stanely stumbles upon a very odd looking toy/stuffed animal named Zombiekins, that is half bunny, half teddy bear and secretly... part Zombie! Lady Imavitch catches Stanley and Miranda studying the toy and warns them that Zombiekins is not your average toy... strange things can happen with him around.

Stanley buys the toy and Lady Imavitch warns him to read the instructions on the box where Zombiekins is inside of before playing with him. But Stanley doesn't take her words seriously and forgets all about the silly box as soon as he gets home. This is where things begin to get interesting for Stanley.

In the middle of a moonlit night, Zombiekins comes to life and begins to cause mischief by destroying the toys that belong to Stanley's little sister. The next morning though, Zombiekins takes his mischief to the next level when Stanley takes him to school to show off to his fellow classmates.

When class is in session, Zombiekins sneaks out of Stanley's backpack and begins to explore the school and turn the students, one by one into Zombies, causing the worst Zombie plague in Dementedley history! Now its up to Stanley and Miranda to find Zombiekins, and stop the Zombie plague before the school day ends!

For just a day, i felt like a 6th grader again :)I loved the illustrations in this book! I honestly laughed out loud a couple of times by the overdramatic narration by the author! I found this to be a cute, hilarious, and entertaining MG story! I really think kids in Middle School or Elementary will find this book very enjoyable! This book is PERFECT to read during October, just in time for Halloween!(less)

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Jul 16, 2012 Graham rated it 5 of 5 stars

"A Winner And Surefire Entertainer!" Said YOUNG ADULT (& KIDS) BOOKS CENTRAL For SIR FARTSALOT HUNTS THE BOOGER.

That PERFECTLY Describes ZOMBIEKINS! This Book Was Fantastic! It Was Laugh-Out-Loud Funny! KEVIN BOLGER Captured Exactly What Kids Would Want To Read!
Though Written For Kids, Adults Would Absolutely Love ZOMBIEKINS! With Hilarious Inside Jokes, How Could They Not?
This Was A Very Fun, Satisfying, And Fast-Paced Novel, Perfect For Youngsters And Adults Who Like A Great Laugh!
At...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Ryan Whitt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: h

i just read a book called Zomiekins by Kevin Bolger. The main conflict is this boy gets this stuff animal from a witch and it comes to life at night and he can figure out whats killing his stuff animals so he goes on a haunt and trys to figure out whats killing his stuff animals.

i give this book a 5 out of 5 becasue i was always ready to read the next book you stay in the book very well and never whats to put it down at all. i think i finish the book in like 3 days maybe even in a day because it...more

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Sep 24, 2010 May C. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Its a book for a much younger audience but its still an enjoyable read for those who are young at heart and for all ages. I personally like to read all kinds of genres, its just more fun that way! This is a creepy cute read. For young readers who love paranormal stuff, this is perfect. Its quirky and written so cutely. I enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the little illustrations/drawings that go along with the story. Its reminiscent of all the paranormal and spooky children/tween books I use...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Magila rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-middle-readers, chapter-early-reader-books, middle-reader

For what this was, it was fantastic. It's like a delightfully demented version of the Velveteen Rabbit. The book teaches morals, has a memorable little cast of characters that were well described and relatable, and many parts are laugh out loud funny.

If you're looking for the next great work of literature, look elsewhere, but if you'd like a great book for your chapter reading children, or a great book to read out loud to your kids, this is a great option. It's original and allows kids to read...more

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Apr 09, 2013 Crys Harris rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is laugh-out-loud funny at times. Readers who are not in elementary school and don't have kids at or close to elementary school age will not get a lot of the humour. I have twin 6 year olds and they got many of the jokes (some are just for parents) and they laughed out loud as well.

One of my concerns is that one of the boys is rather sensitive to scary writing. The author handles the initial Zombiefication so deftly and humorously that the boys were giggling and not scared at all.

We a...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Brenda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Zombiekins is from the same author who wrote Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger, one of my favorite books for its wit and puns. However, Zombiekins is quite a different book. Stanley finds a stuffed animal who has a floppy ear of a bunny and a teddy bears. He also has webbed paws, sharp claws, feet like a lizard and two fangs instead of rabbit teeth. There is something about this that appeals to Stanley and I quite agree. Where the first book is silly and funny the second is creepy but not to scary....more

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Aug 18, 2010 Ubalstecha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-reads, books-for-reluctant-readers-boys, grade-4-to-6-boys-fiction, what-to-read-after-harry-the-juni

No one in the town of Dementedyville ever goes near Old Lady Imavitch's house, until the day there is a garage sale. Then the town can't wait to buy her stuff. Against his better judgment, Stanley decides to buy the beat-up teddy bear with the bunny ear, a dangly eye and claws. And instead of listening to the warning of the creepy old lady, Stanley trows out the box with the instructions and takes the stuffed animal home.

Stanley awakes to a scene of horror in the playroom. All the other stuffed...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: school-books

Stanley Nudelman turns the boring town of Dementedyville on its head when he buys a mysterious toy at his neighbor's yard sale. Sure, Zombiekins looks cuddly and creepy-cute - but expose him to moonlight, and strange things happen. When Stanley brings Zombiekins to school, he unleashes the worst zombie plague in fourth-grade history! Can Stanley find the courage to save the day before his teachers notice the class is full of zombies? Or will he soon join the ranks of the snuggily UNDEAD?

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Jan 10, 2012 Sue rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, kidlit

My daughter's book - she recommended that I read it, and how can you turn that down? It was quite cute - stuff for grownups too. In particular, I loved the teachers' names: Mx Mellow (who speaks very quietly and doesn't really get upset) is actually Marsha. The gym teacher, Mr Straap (I know, pretty obvious) turns out to have a given name of Jacques. Worth it for a kid to read, and doubly so to read so that you can talk to your kid about it.

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Apr 10, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: middle school kids and adults with a sense of humor

Recommended to Melissa by: Deannah Britton

Shelves: read-my-kids-own, recommended-by-someone

My daughter told me that I absolutely HAD to read this book when she finished it! I found it delightfuly funny, creepy and disgusting in places and perfect for kids (and adults) who enjoy the grossly humorous stories!

A book about a zombie stuffed animal that turns the middle school kids into zombies and the teachers never notice a thing? It was a great idea and really well written for the middle school student.

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Sep 06, 2011 Mary Wescott rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 50-book-challenge-2011

Another audio book I listened to with the girls driving back and forth to Star Valley. The guy gave a great reading - but there just wasn't much substance and very predictable. Emma who is 12 figured out the anecdote to the zombie doll halfway through the book. Before they even brought up the fact they would need an anecdote for zombies. Maybe kids younger then 12 and 10 might enjoy it more - let's say under 8.

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May 26, 2011 Ariel Cummins rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: funny, kidslit, speculative-fiction

A fast, light, funny read ideal for younger middle schoolers or older elementary school students. Studded with funny drawings, this book is chock-full of gross out jokes, one liners, puns, and visual gags. It's also filled with some suprisingly advanced vocabulary words.

A definite recommendation for reluctant readers, especially boys, or anyone who liked the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.

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Aug 09, 2010 Kim Ourada rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who likes skary and horror books

Recommended to Kim by: me

Shelves: childrens-read

This kid Stanley lived in a town called Dementedyville and so one day he went to a garage sale with his friend named Miranda. There was a stuffy named ZOMBIEKINS(dun-dun-duunnnnn). The person that was selling the stuff was Stanley's neighbor, the Widow Imavitch. But when you put it in the moonlight it becomes the TEDDY OF TERROR.

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Apr 24, 2012 Marc rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone!

Shelves: book-challenge-o-fun-12-edition

How to describe this book...

This book was so enjoyable! It was well written and a lot of fun!

Each chapter was simple, fast paced, and had amazing illustrations!

The story flowed well and the characters were lovable!

I'm very excited for the next installment!

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Oct 27, 2011 02KylieH rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: finished

Where do I begin with Zombiekins? This was my least favorite book so far. I think it might be my fault that I picked it but I thought this book was just childish and a little dumb. This book is about this kid named Stanley, he and his friend went to the creepy old lady/witch house to her garage sale and that's where it all starts. He buys this doll looking thing and later realizes this thing is crazy! It bites some people from his school and he is franticaly looking throught his school to find t...more

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Jul 20, 2010 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

My inner 3rd grade boy loved this! Creepy, funny, lots of ick... A toy bought at a garage sale (from the Widow Imavitch, hint hint...) comes with strict instructions, which are, of course, not read by its new owner. Destruction and zombie transformations ensue! A sequel to come. Worth it for the illustrations alone!!

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Oct 13, 2010 Jacob 705 rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: 7 and under

Shelves: 7th-grade

I think that this book is over dramatic, childish, and crazy. It had a guy that worried about every thing he his scared about every thing. The story is childish because there is a mean guy, a girl who stands up to any thing, a scared boy, and crazy kids. I think this book is for 7 and under.

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Jan 02, 2011 Megan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Surprisingly violent for a children's book. Not sure what age the book was intended for. My mom bought it for my 8 year old son. My reason for the 3 stars though is because it was so repetitive at times. Rather annoying. My son enjoyed the book overall though.

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Nov 16, 2011 Mari rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fourth-grade, juvenile, paranormal, second-grade, silly, third-grade, zombies

Perfect for reluctant readers who like the horror genre, but need their books to be not TOO scary. It's funny, gross, and fast paced. There are plenty of illustrations throughout the book which should appeal to readers who like graphic novels and the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" type books. A great candidate for booktalking.

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Dec 29, 2010 Christiane rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens-fiction, summer-reading

Stanley Nudelman buys Zombiekins at his creepy neighbor's yard sale and before you know it the sinister stuffy is disemboweling his sister's stuffed animals and zombiefying his classmates. The great illustrations add to the silly, disgusting fun.

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Sep 01, 2010 Joenna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4th-5th, 3rd-4th

Not a great book, but good for reluctant readers.

Stanley Nudelman buys a weird stuffed animal at the yard sale of a woman rumored to be a witch, and soon he and his friend Miranda are trying to save their schoolmates from becoming zombies.

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Oct 10, 2011 Gabriel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Stanley bought a stuffed animal at a yard sale. It was really a zombie!!! Zombiekins escaped from Stanley and started turning people and toys into zombies. Stanley and Miranda had to catch Zombiekins! They caught Zombiekins!!!

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Jan 03, 2011 Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, funny, boys, chapter

Stanley buys a stuffed animal at a yard sale. He is warned to follow the instructions included with it, but he throws them out without reading them. That was NOT smart! Stanley is about to find out how dangerous a stuffed animal can be!

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