Inside the Wacky & Wonderful World of Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri

Big, Bad Bubble, by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
The Bubble Lobby would have you believe that bubbles are harmless, fragile spheres of liquid enclosing air or another gas. The monsters of La La Land, however, have some completely different idea about bubbles, and they’re nothing short of terrifying (the bubbles, not the monsters). Thank goodness this book features an omniscient voice guiding the poor monsters in their journey to better understanding about the mysterious globular objects that are bubbles.

Those Darn Squirrels
Old Man Fookwire, or, everyone’s dad, hates squirrels and does his best to make sure they’re not stealing the food he puts out for his preferred backyard dwellers (the birds). Unlike everyone’s dad’s darn squirrels, however, these critters actually turn out to be looking out for Old Man Fookwire’s best interests and manage to win his heart in the end. The same can not be said for my dad and his squirrels.

Dragons Love Tacos
Hypothesis: Dragons exist. Dragons love tacos. Tacos are sometimes spicy. Spicy tacos cause dragons to belch fire. In conclusion: totally wild, as long as they’re mild, taco parties are good ways to make friends with dragons. That’s also a good way to get to eat tacos. Martha Stewart has some really creative tips for your next Dragon Taco Party. It’s a good thing.

Secret Pizza Party
Dragons may (and do) love tacos, but also, raccoons love pizza. I think Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri love food-themed parties. And so do I. CAN I PLEASE COME TO YOUR NEXT SECRET PIZZA TACO PARTY? Raccoon’s brilliant disguise and inevitable downfall are downright delicious.

Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door
If there’s one thing crotchety old guys can agree on, it’s all the people and animals they want off their lawns. In this case, the birds and squirrels also agree. The sweet old lady who (Little Old Lady Hu, indeed) has moved in next door has brought along her nasty bully of a cat, and he’s making everyone else miserable. Not even Hu’s delicious pies make up for Muffin’s obnoxiousness. Fortunately the crafty squirrels manage to save the day, yet again. Darn them!

Robo-Sauce
This book is, simply put, all of my nightmares in one place. A boy who loves playing robot creates a recipe for sauce that turns people into robots, and then the whole world becomes a terrifying dystopia where everyone and everything is a robot. That, and you have to follow detailed folding instructions to transform the book and finish the story. ROBOTS PLUS ORIGAMI?! What kind of madness is this? If you need me, I’ll be rocking back and forth in the corner.

Dragons Love Tacos 2
Actually, the only thing scarier than a world in which I am forced by robots to fold things is a world in which there are no more tacos. This book dares to explore that frightening scenario, and what effect it would have on the poor dragons who live there. In the yet unpublished prequel “Dragons Love Hoarding” we learn why there’s a time machine in the garage, and it’s a good thing too, as that is how the world’s supply of tacos became replenished. Check out the utopian Go, Dog. Go!–style party at the end where Old Man Fookwire, the pizza-loving Raccoon, Beyoncé, Khaleesi, and a triceratops (among others) enjoy tacos together.

Those Darn Squirrels Fly South
What’s an old man to do when everyone has finally gotten off his lawn? Yes, even those darn squirrels have figured out (ingenious) ways to fly south and join their bird friends for their tropical vacation. When Old Man Fookwire realizes he’s lonely and cold, he decides to pack up and join the birds, too. He’s as surprised as anyone to be enjoying himself, but he is! When Fookwire gets a little carried away, the squirrels come to his rescue, and they all drive back north together.
What’s your favorite book by Adam Rubin & Daniel Salmieri?