Just the right amount of creepiness for kids. The Jasper books are a hit with my students so they are sure to be excited for this one.

Jasper Rabbit has grown up a bit- and is now sharing more creepy (and gross) tales with the kids who have loved Creepy Carrot, Creep Underwear, and Creepy Crayon.

In Troubling Tonsils, Charlie Marmot has tonsillitis, and those tonsils have to go- but they don't want to. The scenes here have a nice mix of gentle scares and perfectly gross moments that will delight those 1st-3rd graders looking for something funny and a little frightening. A fun title and I hope a fun new series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a preview copy of the title to review.

My students are going to be so excited for the return of Jasper Rabbit in a totally different format. Troubling Tonsils was a familiar and friendly wild ride with an added touch of spookiness! As per Aaron Reynolds' usual, the storyline kept readers guessing and the book was peppered with fun illustrations to supplement the story. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this awesome ARC!

This one is going to be great for your 2nd/3rd graders who like a bit of horror but aren't ready for full-blown, real-life gore. This chapter book will be perfect for them and you're sure to snag and intrigue them with Reynolds' characteristic suspense-building and creepy vibes. The main character gets an infection in his tonseils and needs to get them taken out. He decides this is okay as long as he can keep the removed tonseils in a jar and bring them in for show and tell (gag). He and his dad think this is a fantastic idea! But when the doctor goes to do the surgery something weird happens and the story changes into an even creepier direction. No spoilers but there's a definite fable story telling structure here. This was just a bit too creepy for my rising 1st grader so it would depend on what your kids could handle. I think a bit older (again like 2nd or 3rd grade) would absolutely eat this up. Reynolds brings all the things we love about Creepy Carrorts (and the others in the series) from a picture book format into a chapter book story and it's a great success. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Heh heh heh… Charlie Marmot has bad glands, and he wants to keep his tonsils in a jar. What could go wrong?

Plenty.

There are slurping sounds, strange trails, and a growing fear that the tonsils are not where they should be. By the time Charlie shows up for surgery, it’s too late.

Turn of events!
Spoiler: No surgery!
But there’s a twist, and it’s weirder than anything you’re expecting.

Creepy, clever, full of strangeness and oddities, this tale is a true spectacle. The art is spooky. The story is gross in the best way. And the ending? Out of this world. Maybe even… alien.

Read it if you dare. And whatever you do, keep an eye on your jars.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for ARC!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Jasper Rabbit is back in this early chapter book spinoff of the Creepy Carrots series. We are introduced to Charlie Marmot, whose tonsils have become infected and need to be removed. Charlie comes up with his “great” idea of putting his tonsils in a jar that he could bring to school and creep out his classmates. But when the day of the surgery arrives, there is a problem – Charlie’s tonsils are no longer in the back of his throat. In fact, they are nowhere to be found. But Charlie keeps hearing a spooky slurping sound. What could it be?
This is a good choice for younger kids who want something creepy but not too scary. The writing is spot on and the illustrations are sufficiently dark. This is the first in what will be a series. Recommended for readers in grades 1 – 3.
#TroublingTonsils! #NetGalley

This book is another perfect Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown collaboration. I can't wait to add this to my list of to-reads with my 2nd grade class in October for an author/illustrator study!

I believe "Troubling Tonsils!" will be a hit with early readers and kids just beginning their journey into chapter books! It strikes a great balance—slightly creepy but not too scary—and is packed with fun. The author’s writing is smooth and engaging, making it easy for young readers to follow. Even as an adult, I found it both entertaining and enjoyable!

Fans of Creepy Carrots are going to love Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales! In a way only Aaron Reynolds’s can, mystery and humor are perfectly blended together. The story is accessible to young readers while still appealing to those who are able to read longer chapter books on their own. Readers will be craving more creepy tales when they close the book!

I have frequent requests for scary books from young children, and this fits the bill. Equal parts gross and creepy, but with humor stirred in to keep things light, I was all in for this one until I reached the abrupt end. I wasn't quite ready for a lack of resolution, but the rabbit host making a "Rod Serling" exit does make sense, and made me laugh. I'm not sure how many little ones will see it them same, but I think they will be happy to give it a try.

Creepy Carrots and the others in the series are constantly being checked out at my library so I was excited to see a new, longer book coming out by Reynolds. I definitely think this will be a hit with our library patrons. It's a humorous introduction for kids who might be ready to dive into "scary" books but not quite ready for a full on scare. The illustrations definitely helped to tell the story and bridge the gap between the picture and chapter book format.

Troubling Tonsils is a silly, but still very creepy, tale from our guy Jasper Rabbit (and Aaron Reynolds’s words and Peter Brown’s pictures). In this installment Charlie Marmot learns an important lesson about keeping only the appropriate items in jars.

It gives Twilight Zone vibes with witty and funny animal characters we’ve come to love from Aaron Reynolds.

Troubling Tonsils is perfect for all fans of Jasper Rabbit, creep tales and slightly scary stories. It is a great beginner chapter book due to the short chapters, quickly paced story and fun illustrations. This story also has great potential for new vocabulary. It is a win-win-win.

Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown, one of my favorite author-illustrator duos are back, and I couldn’t be more excited! Troubling Tonsils! brings a fresh and slightly spooky twist to the world of Jasper Rabbit, but in a new format that’s perfect for early readers who are ready to level up from picture books.

This time, Jasper isn’t the main focus. Instead, we’re introduced to a new character, Charlie Marmot, who takes center stage as he faces the hilariously creepy challenge of... tonsils. The short chapters are fast-paced and engaging, making it an ideal choice for young elementary students who are building reading stamina. It’s just the right mix of silly and spooky ~ perfect for kids who want a scary story but aren’t quite ready for true horror.

My students are going to be lining up to check this one out. The familiar art style from Peter Brown, paired with Reynolds’s clever and funny storytelling, makes this a guaranteed hit in the classroom or library.

I’m thrilled to see a transitional reader that keeps the same charm and quality we love from their picture books, this one is sure to be a favorite!

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw this series announced, I knew I had to get my hands on an early copy because my students love the Creepy Tales picture books, and I was so excited they were making a chapter book spin-off. This will be a good series to introduce children to the horror genre, but it will also be a good series to recommend to children who are a little stubborn about starting to read chapter books especially if they love the Creepy Tales picture books.

As usual, the illustrations were amazing. I love the art style of these books; the covers give me a Goosebumps vibe. The story was ridiculous, funny, and creepy. I like how Jasper still was in the story at the beginning to introduce the story and at the end to close the story off. The only thing I didn't like was how abruptly the story of Charlie kind of ended, and I do wish there were more details about how Jasper came up with this story. Like did he make it up, or was it based on someone he knew, etc.?Overall, I think the children are still going to love it.

Book 148 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tad creepy and it looks like there is a series.

Black and white added to the story.

I received a complimentary copy of the ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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JASPER RABBIT’S CREEPY TALES – Book Four – TROUBLING TONSILS

Author – Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator – Caldecott Horror Winner, Peter Brown

‘You have stumbled your way into the unknown. The unexpected. You have arrived without a road map at the crossroads where strange and silly meet. And there’s no turning back.’

‘Be warned. Creepy things lie on the following pages. And creepiness has a habit of doing strange things.’

Whoa! That Was Creepy Good! A Cautionary Tale, No Doubt . . . .

MUAHAHAHahahaaa*cough cough*

*Ahem*

‘If you’re ready for some chills and chuckles alike, tune in as Jasper weaves the yarn of Charlie Marmot and the particular pickle he found himself in.’

‘See, Charlie here has a problem: his tonsils have become infected and have to come out. No biggie, right? But when he decides he wants to keep them in a jar for show and tell, things get creepy…’

Enter at your own risk, my Horror Peep’s—Highly Recommend!

Reading Age: 6 – 9
Grade Level: 1 – 4

Scheduled For Release, Though Subject To Change – September 2, 2025

Pre-order now

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, for providing me with an eBook ARC of JASPER RABBIT’S CREEPY TALES: TROUBLING TONSILS at the request of an honest review.

Creepy!! Gross!! What kind of book is this??!!
The perfect book for YOUR young reader!
What a fun read with illustrations that keep the reader interested right from the start.

This creepy serious is just so much fun and highly recommended!!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC!

I love Jasper Rabbit and his picture book adventures. And now he is back - narrating a beginning chapter book that is definitely creepier than carrots! Jasper has taken on a Rod Serling "Twilight Zone" persona to deliver us the cautionary tale of a young marmot who wakes up one morning with a bad case of tonsillitis. His doctor decides the tonsils must be removed. Putting a fun spin on a scary situation - Charlie asks if he can keep the tonsils once they are removed. He has a grand plan to take them to school for show and tell. His dad is immediately on board with the idea. And even the doctor can understand the young marmot's eager anticipation - especially since it helps him to not be as fearful for the upcoming surgery. But things do not go as planned. And readers will find themselves pondering young Charlie's choices.

You have to know your audience for this one because it is definitely on the creepy side. But if you and your kids like creepy -- and if you have always wanted to introduce your kids to Twilight Zone anyway - then this is the book for you. Oh - and "To Serve Man" is a great first Twilight Zone to watch. This is the first book in a planned series. I think it will be extremely popular!

I couldn't help but be fascinated by the cover and had to look inside. I enjoyed how the author explained tonsils, what they are, and why they needed to be removed. I was surprised by the plot twist. I enjoyed the remarkable pictures which brought the story together.

It was amazing to see how Charlie's experience changed before surgery when he told the Dr. he wanted his tonsils in a jar for show and tell. He knew he'd get an A. I worked in a library for years. Children adore Arron Reynolds's books. He has such a unique storytelling style and the pictures in the book are captivating. This book has 88 pages, and the target audience is 6-9 year olds.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

I originally thought this was a picture book but I'm excited that it's an early chapter book! There are definitely elements that will go over kids' heads, but it has a lot of the same appeal as the other creepy books. I hope they release this as a combined print and audio book.