A visually stunning reinterpretation of the fairy tale classic. Originally written in 1845 by German physician Heinrich Hoffmann (1809-1894), 'Der Struwwelpeter' reads like a fairy tale breaking loose from a doomed rollercoaster, crashing through a rusty calliope, and finally splashing into the miasmic ooze of Hell-but somehow still managing to float. Mesmerized as a child by the nightmarish prose and haunting images contained in the book, noted author/illustrator Bob Staake ("MAD" magazine, Cartoon Network, even Hallmark Cards) gives a 21st century spin to these 14 stories-each more politically incorrect than the next. The nastiest things happen to children who disobey the wishes of their parents: thumb suckers have their digits cut off, the pyro-fascinated are set ablaze and, of course, picky eaters rot away and die prematurely. In other words, precisely the type of bedtime stories you'll want to read to a six-year-old, provided it's not your six-year-old. Publishers Weekly calls Staake's illustrations "a stylistic collision of Russian constructivism and pop art that explode with energy and joyous intensity." Gorgeously designed and illustrated, Staake's "Struwwelpeter" is sure to spark as many "oooo's" and "ahhhh's" as it does nightmares. Staake is the author and/or illustrator of over 30 books, including "Headlines" (written by Jay Leno, illustrated by Staake), "The Complete Book Of Caricature" and "The Complete Book Of Humorous Art" (both authored by Staake). The recipient of numerous awards, Staake recently won the National Cartoonist Society's coveted 'Reuben Division Award' as Best Cartoonist in the category of Newspaper Illustration. He has appeared on "Good MorningAmerica, Entertainment Tonight," The Family Channel, National Public Radio, CNN and has been interviewed by "Time, People, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today" and other national publications. This is a new "BLAB " storybook, a series of graphic novels showcasing artists from Monte Beauchamp's annual "BLAB " anthology, presented in a faux-children's book format, though aimed squarely at adults and young adults.