Book Review: Stitch Head by Guy Bass, Pete Williamson

Stitch Head, written by Guy Bass and illustrated by Pete Williamson is a children's book very different from many others. The story follows Stitch Head, the creation of a mad scientist, that does his best to protect his creator while preventing his other creations from causing destruction or being noticed by those he protects. When a traveling circus that has lost its ability to scare and amaze comes to town, Stitch Head's almost-life is put in jeopardy, as is the well-being of the professor and every creature in Castle Grotteskew.

Stitch Head is a story that balances many different things masterfully. There are gruesome monsters, but they are not all that scary. There is some low level humor, but there is also a deeper story about friendship, trust, and looking beyond the surface to see the real person underneath the appearance. Stitch Head has devoted his almost-life  to helping the professor, the scientist that created him, even though he has been forgotten in the never ending quest for the next great creation. He is tempted by the words and persistence of Fulbert Freakfinder, who promises him that he will be unforgettable as part of the traveling circus. However, the seemingly normal Freakfinder holds more monstrous qualities that the creatures you would expect to rampage and howl at the moon.

I highly recommend Stitch Head to readers around 7 and older. the story holds fun, humor, and a good story without a heavy handed moral or message. It is a layered story, with something for the advanced and emotionally thoughtful readers, as well as those that enjoy a simple joke about bodily noises and entertaining action.  I think it would highly appeal to reluctant readers and those that often complain that reading is boring, because this book could just convince them otherwise.