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Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of DOOOOOM
Briar s Cove is famous for being the nicest, safest, sweetest place there ever was, where nothing bad ever happens. Buttercup Sunshine lives in Briar s Cove with her Granny Fondant but when a fallen star causes the dead to rise from their graves, they band together to stop them. How can Buttercup and Granny knit their way out this one?
160 pages, Paperback
Published September 28, 2018
About the author
Colin Mulhern
14 books8 followersColin Mulhern is the author of Young Adult novels, Arabesque and Clash.
He lives in the north-east where he works as a teaching assistant in a primary school.
He lives in the north-east where he works as a teaching assistant in a primary school.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 23, 2018
Full review to come on my blog!
September 27, 2018
Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Doooom was genetically engineered in a lab just for me. It has zombies, silly British humor, chainsaws, a sugary sweet little girl with a wild imagination and a nose for detective work, creepy graveyards, and the world’s most hardcore knitter. It’s the first book in the Briar’s Cove series — where nothing bad ever happens…until now, dun dun dun — and despite what I said about it being made just for me, this should be a huge hit. Children of all ages will love this book, with its silly humor, kid-friendly gore, and breathless action. It is uproarious, clever, original, thrilling, and incredibly fun.
I couldn’t sleep last night because I was so excited about this book. When I first heard about it a few months ago, I ordered it from the publisher in England immediately, not even stopping to consider that I could order it here in the States. (That’s why the publication date is listed as tomorrow but I don’t have an ARC acknowledgment listed — I always list the U.S. pub date, and I was too eager to get my grubby little hands on this book to wait that long, so I bought it myself from England.) I knew I would love it, but I was not prepared for the massive “I must sing the song of my people” amount of love I would feel for this book.
The story opens with Buttercup Sunshine running down the street screaming and wielding a chainsaw, so right off the bat it’s already won Book of the Year. Through a hilarious turn of events (you can just mentally add that to the beginning of every sentence for the rest of this synopsis), Granny Fondant gets Buttercup to slow down and tell her what’s happening, and we learn all about the Zombies of Dooooom. (If Book of the Year weren’t already nailed down by the opening, it would be by the 5 o’s in “Doooom.”) Buttercup and Granny proceed to fight off the zombie horde as it descends upon Granny’s cottage, using their wits and their enviable knitting skills to battle the undead. (Seriously. I’m a knitter, and my mouth dropped open when I saw what Granny had accomplished. Can I be your friend on Ravelry, Granny?)
There’s a wonderful freewheeling sense of absurdity to the book that fans of British comedy will appreciate. Author-illustrator Colin Mulhern’s hilarious drawings and the expressive use of varied fonts add to the fun, and the final result is a laugh-out-loud funny story with plenty of gentle scares. If you can’t tell by how much I’m tripping over myself in this review, I give this book my highest recommendation. Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Doooom is a pitch-perfect horror-comedy that kids will absolutely love. I’m dying for the next book in the series. Just don’t tell Buttercup…she’s pretty handy with that chainsaw.
I couldn’t sleep last night because I was so excited about this book. When I first heard about it a few months ago, I ordered it from the publisher in England immediately, not even stopping to consider that I could order it here in the States. (That’s why the publication date is listed as tomorrow but I don’t have an ARC acknowledgment listed — I always list the U.S. pub date, and I was too eager to get my grubby little hands on this book to wait that long, so I bought it myself from England.) I knew I would love it, but I was not prepared for the massive “I must sing the song of my people” amount of love I would feel for this book.
The story opens with Buttercup Sunshine running down the street screaming and wielding a chainsaw, so right off the bat it’s already won Book of the Year. Through a hilarious turn of events (you can just mentally add that to the beginning of every sentence for the rest of this synopsis), Granny Fondant gets Buttercup to slow down and tell her what’s happening, and we learn all about the Zombies of Dooooom. (If Book of the Year weren’t already nailed down by the opening, it would be by the 5 o’s in “Doooom.”) Buttercup and Granny proceed to fight off the zombie horde as it descends upon Granny’s cottage, using their wits and their enviable knitting skills to battle the undead. (Seriously. I’m a knitter, and my mouth dropped open when I saw what Granny had accomplished. Can I be your friend on Ravelry, Granny?)
There’s a wonderful freewheeling sense of absurdity to the book that fans of British comedy will appreciate. Author-illustrator Colin Mulhern’s hilarious drawings and the expressive use of varied fonts add to the fun, and the final result is a laugh-out-loud funny story with plenty of gentle scares. If you can’t tell by how much I’m tripping over myself in this review, I give this book my highest recommendation. Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Doooom is a pitch-perfect horror-comedy that kids will absolutely love. I’m dying for the next book in the series. Just don’t tell Buttercup…she’s pretty handy with that chainsaw.
August 9, 2018
When the undead rise from their graves, Buttercup Sunshine has a fight on her hands.
Marketed for 7-9 year olds, I think Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom may unnerve more timid children at the younger end of the age range so I think parents should read it first (and they’ll really enjoy it) to decide when to share it.
That said, I thought Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom was a cracking children’s book. It’s really well plotted with an ending that leads nicely into any future adventures for Buttercup. The language is so accessible that children could read it to themselves and I think it would be a perfect story for older more reluctant readers too. I can see 10 and 11 year old reluctant readers thoroughly enjoying this book. The story is exciting, scary and frequently very funny, particularly when Mr Blackberry is being approached by a zombie – but you’ll have to read the book to find out why!
Buttercup is a triumph of characterisation. She retains enough childhood innocence as she plays at being an undercover agent with her partner Barry the toad, only to find herself at the centre of saving the inhabitants of Briar’s Cove. This makes her an excellent role model, illustrating that girls can have just as many and as exciting adventures as boys. I also loved the idea that it might just be possible to knit your way out of trouble.
The illustrations accompanying the text are a triumph. Children will love the staring eyes of the zombies and the reaching, grasping hands. My favourite image was Buttercup’s ‘warrior pose’.
I also liked the inclusion of questions with Colin Mulhern at the end of the story. They would be great discussion points for either home of classroom use. In fact, I think Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom would be a brilliant class reader for primary schools. With horror and comedy, and science and nature included, there’s so much to be explored beyond the initial narrative.
It is obvious that the author, Colin Mulhern, knows children well and understands exactly what they enjoy – jokes and being just a little bit scared. When I researched him I was so moved to find Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom was dedicated to his son Matthew who sadly passed away in 2015 and I think Matthew would have been proud and delighted that his Dad has created such a wonderful book for children.
Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom is a corker of a children’s book and I thoroughly recommend it.
Marketed for 7-9 year olds, I think Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom may unnerve more timid children at the younger end of the age range so I think parents should read it first (and they’ll really enjoy it) to decide when to share it.
That said, I thought Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom was a cracking children’s book. It’s really well plotted with an ending that leads nicely into any future adventures for Buttercup. The language is so accessible that children could read it to themselves and I think it would be a perfect story for older more reluctant readers too. I can see 10 and 11 year old reluctant readers thoroughly enjoying this book. The story is exciting, scary and frequently very funny, particularly when Mr Blackberry is being approached by a zombie – but you’ll have to read the book to find out why!
Buttercup is a triumph of characterisation. She retains enough childhood innocence as she plays at being an undercover agent with her partner Barry the toad, only to find herself at the centre of saving the inhabitants of Briar’s Cove. This makes her an excellent role model, illustrating that girls can have just as many and as exciting adventures as boys. I also loved the idea that it might just be possible to knit your way out of trouble.
The illustrations accompanying the text are a triumph. Children will love the staring eyes of the zombies and the reaching, grasping hands. My favourite image was Buttercup’s ‘warrior pose’.
I also liked the inclusion of questions with Colin Mulhern at the end of the story. They would be great discussion points for either home of classroom use. In fact, I think Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom would be a brilliant class reader for primary schools. With horror and comedy, and science and nature included, there’s so much to be explored beyond the initial narrative.
It is obvious that the author, Colin Mulhern, knows children well and understands exactly what they enjoy – jokes and being just a little bit scared. When I researched him I was so moved to find Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom was dedicated to his son Matthew who sadly passed away in 2015 and I think Matthew would have been proud and delighted that his Dad has created such a wonderful book for children.
Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom is a corker of a children’s book and I thoroughly recommend it.
September 16, 2018
This book has a great stand-out cover, courtesy of Risa Rodil. Throughout it has just the right amount of fun (and occasionally gross) illustrations by Colin Mulhern himself. Each provides an opportunity for discussion.
This is definitely a book that is designed to be read out loud to small children. The humour offsets the scary nature of the story and any anxiety can easily be defused by the parent-reader. The language is very simple and can be read by young children alone, but I think it would be much more fun as an interactive bedtime read.
As a reader (with a writer's hat on) I found the ending a bit unsatisfactory. It seems to end mid-story. Obviously, there will be more Buttercup Sunshine books but the next will have to be a continuation of this story, not a new one. Anyway, that won't matter to any youngster listening to this tale. It is a very quick read. Very accessible language and good fun. I am sure we will see much more of the brilliantly named Buttercup Sunshine.
This is definitely a book that is designed to be read out loud to small children. The humour offsets the scary nature of the story and any anxiety can easily be defused by the parent-reader. The language is very simple and can be read by young children alone, but I think it would be much more fun as an interactive bedtime read.
As a reader (with a writer's hat on) I found the ending a bit unsatisfactory. It seems to end mid-story. Obviously, there will be more Buttercup Sunshine books but the next will have to be a continuation of this story, not a new one. Anyway, that won't matter to any youngster listening to this tale. It is a very quick read. Very accessible language and good fun. I am sure we will see much more of the brilliantly named Buttercup Sunshine.
September 21, 2018
Buttercup Sunshine and the Zombies of Dooooom is a great introduction to comedy horror for children. While it does feature the undead and some comic violence, it is not graphic violence. The author Colin Mulhern states that he writes “horrible books for horrible children” but this book is far for horrible and leaves you wanting more. It has far more comedy and humour with just enough small scares to keep the readers interest.
The book is also interlaced with some great line drawings that really stand out and bring the story to life.
A fantastic, fun-filled comedy horror, perfect for children that like a bit of a scare as well as a laugh.
The book is also interlaced with some great line drawings that really stand out and bring the story to life.
A fantastic, fun-filled comedy horror, perfect for children that like a bit of a scare as well as a laugh.
March 6, 2021
Fun, wacky, and interesting. Upon further investigation I find out the book following this is unavailable and it doesn't look like it was published for long. I have scoured the internet for this and have found nothing. Considering the book was initially published in 2018 I see no progress towards this series and it really annoys me. Having known this I wouldn't have started the series. Good story but so annoyed.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews