Stitch Head; Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson

Stitch Head is the first in a brand new series from author/illustrator duo Guy Bass and Pete Williamson.

Fulbert Freakfinder’s circus of weird wonders isn’t the only thing trying to frighten the townsfolk of Grubbers Nubbin. In Castle Grotteskew, a mad professor is hard at work bringing almost life to his next monstrous creation. When Freakfinder chooses not to follow the only rule of Castle Grotteskew…”No Visitors”, Stitch Head’s worse fears are realised…

As much as it is about monsters and mayhem this read is about friendship. Stitch Head was Professor Erasmus’s first creation but has long since been forgotten as the Professor has moved on to making ever more terrifying monsters. Stitch Head is longing for the friendship that the two used to have when the professor was a boy. Unable to get over the feeling that he has been forgotten, Stitch Head now keeps the Professor safe by ‘curing’ the creations that are becoming ever more monstrous as a result of the Professor’s use of unpredictable ingredients. Friendship is often found in the strangest places and it comes to Stitch Head in the form of the Professor’s latest creation that he ‘cures’ with one of his specially concocted potions. This latest creation goes by the name of Creature and it is a delightful character providing much humour in its quest to find a suitable name.

Monsters, madness, mayhem, angry mobs and potions; this is Frankenstein for younger readers. It is dark, creepy, and freakishly good fun, and the scary illustrations by Pete Williamson are frighteningly good.

Recommended for 7+.