Zombie in Love

Mortimer is a zombie looking for love. Through personal ads and dating attempts, he tries to find someone who will accept him despite his unusual appearance and habits. The picture book follows Mortimer's quest with illustrations that blend horror movie elements with kid-friendly charm. His dating mishaps involve body parts falling off, failed romantic gestures, and misunderstandings with potential love interests. This story presents themes of self-acceptance and finding connection, wrapped in a humorous package that makes zombies approachable for young readers. The message about being true to oneself while searching for companionship resonates with audiences of any age.

Readers describe this children's book as a gentle, humorous take on finding love that makes zombies approachable for young kids. Parents report their children request repeated readings and laugh at the visual jokes. Liked: - Scott Campbell's watercolor illustrations - Mix of sweet romance with gross-out zombie details - Positive message about self-acceptance - Works for both Halloween reading and Valentine's Day - Appeals to both boys and girls Disliked: - Some parents feel references to body parts falling off are too macabre - A few mention the ending feels rushed - Limited appeal beyond the 4-8 age range Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (280+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (15 ratings) One teacher noted: "Perfect for kids who think they're too cool for love stories." A parent wrote: "The gross parts are mild enough for sensitive kids but funny enough for those who love zombie stuff."

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🧟‍♂️ Author Kelly DiPucchio got her inspiration for Mortimer the zombie's character after watching her teenage daughter struggle with dating and self-confidence. 💝 The book's illustrator, Scott Campbell, is known for creating artwork for popular video games, including Double Fine Productions' "Psychonauts" and "Brutal Legend." 🌹 The story turns traditional zombie tropes upside down by making Mortimer a romantic, sensitive character who enjoys activities like gardening and playing violin. 📅 Released in 2011, the book was so successful it spawned a sequel called "Zombie in Love 2 + 1" (2014), which follows Mortimer and Mildred as they become zombie parents. 🎨 The book's distinctive watercolor illustrations were created to be both spooky and endearing, using a muted color palette that makes the story accessible to young readers who might be scared of traditional zombie imagery.