Mustache!

by Mac Barnett, Kevin Cornell (Illustrator)

King Duncan is terribly handsome, but a terrible king. His kingdom is in ruins, and when his subjects appeal for help, he only builds more tributes to his handsome face. His subjects are finally ready to stand up for themselves, and they have just the plan to get out of this hairy situation.



A mustache....because sometimes good looks alone just aren't enough.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Fantasy, Royalty, Kids

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 18, 2011

About the author

Born to non-farmers in a California farming community, Mac Barnett now lives near San Francisco. He's on the board of directors of 826LA, a nonprofit writing center for students in Los Angeles, and he founded the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers.

Reviews

[Dream.M · Rating 2 out of 5]

اصلن بامزه نبود

[Tatiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story and the illustrations were very funny and they complemented each other closely. It was especially entertaining to look for the humor within the pictures, such as in the signs and the characters' expressions. However, the ending left me slightly confused and feeling like there should be another page to finalize it.

[Sheri (Bellesteacher) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations of the book. The story was good, but the ending could of revealed a better lesson than it did. I might use it again for a writing activity and let my students write alternate endings.

[0r2b80 · Rating 4 out of 5]

این یه کتاب مصوره برای گروه سنی الف و ب است که گرافیک و خلاقیت خوبی داره و اموزنده هم هست و برای سن قبل از اون هم مناسبه ... من به خاطر نویسنده در درجه اول خوندم و ازش لذت هم بردم
یه جورایی شبیه داستان لباس جدید پادشاهه

https://taaghche.com/book/87852

[Aida · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENd. 1400/12/240🧚🏻‍♀️

واسه بچه ها تا سن ۱۲ یا ۱۳ سال خوبه داستان خوبی هم واسه اونا داره. خوندمش چون از طراحی داخل کتاب و خود قلم نویسنده خوشم میاد😂اگه این نویسنده رو دوست دارید بخونیدش

[nazanin · Rating 1 out of 5]

در نیومده.

[Mohammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

تصویرای عالی داشت
متنش میتونست بهتر باشه
اون تصویر آخری که میسازه فوق‌العاده بود
زندانی که همه توش به خوبی و خوشی زندگی میکنن و تنها فرد ناراضی خوده پادشاهه

[Zahra Labbafan · Rating 3 out of 5]

نمره ۲.۵
داستان معمولی هست و برای سنین الف و ب خوبه
داستان مثل بقیه نظرها که گفتند روایت دیگه ای مثل لباس جدید پادشاه هست
نقاشی‌هاش قشنگ بود پر از جزئیات

[Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think mustaches (like cockroaches & insecure mice) have saturated the kid lit market.
This one, however, was fresh, unexpected, and--most importantly for a picture book--it had good pictures!
Seriously funny.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I search for every meaning, moral story, emotion, or even humor in a children picture book. But sadly, this flat picture book failed to give any. I think it was supposed to bring humor, but well.

The artwork's good, though.

[Yas · Rating 4 out of 5]

آخی شاه دانکن

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kid liked this more than I did, but, since it's for children I went with her rating. The illustration style isn't really my thing, I'm not sure why because they are done well. It is humorous and there are some bits in there that are more for adults. If you find the illustrations appealing than you will probably really like this book. There are some interesting choices in the plot which are amusing, nice little twist at the end of the book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was great comedy. Kind Duncan continually sets himself up for failure and it continues to get funnier. I am a huge fan of Mac Barnett's books, and the accompanying illustrations were perfect.

[Paℓe mooŋ · Rating 5 out of 5]

- به نظرم علاوه بر اونکه یه کتاب کودکانه و سرگرم‌کننده برای بچه‌های ۱۰-۱۱ ساله‌ست، یه اثر سیاسی- اجتماعیه که به ما یادآوری می‌کنه هیچ فرمانروایی (صرف نظر از نوع حکومتش) بدون مردمش چیزی نیست و اولین وظیفه‌ی یه حاکم، رسیدگی به کشورشه.

-لینک دانلود از طاقچه:
https://taaghche.com/book/87852

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak concept and fairly weak story and super weak ending. I kind of got the impression that the author and illustrator thought highly of their own cleverness and that seeped through.

[Sarah]

This is just begging to be paired with a mustache craft...

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious picture book with the story of a stubborn, egotistical king who cares more about his handsome face than his subjects' needs...

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The snark and sarcasm, especially on all of the signs, got me good. Hilarious.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read by the author on IG Live

[Mim_farahani · Rating 4 out of 5]

خوانش جدید و بامزه‌ای از "لباس پادشاه"

[Atiyeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a tiny change in how we look make us feel like a completely different person? 🥸✨

Mustache! is a wonderfully silly story that shows how imagination can transform an ordinary moment into an unforgettable adventure.

With Mac Barnett’s playful writing and Kevin Cornell’s expressive illustrations, the book explores how something as simple as a mustache can become a symbol of confidence, curiosity, and the stories we create about ourselves. It reminds us how children’s imaginations can turn small details into something meaningful and exciting.

What I enjoyed most is the humor behind the story. It understands that childhood is full of moments when we experiment with who we are, trying on different roles and discovering how the world responds to us.

A charming and funny read that celebrates creativity, playfulness, and the joy of seeing ordinary things in extraordinary ways. 🌱

[شایسته]

یه پادشاهه همش داره دور "تصویر" خودش می‌گرده. مردم شهرش یه روزی خسته میشن و میرن بهش می‌گن فیلان و بهمان دردو داریم. در جواب یک نسخه باشکوه از تصویرش رو آویزون می‌کنه توی شهر. پایینش نوشته: من شاهکارم. فرداش یه نفر روی اون "تصویر" یه چیزی می‌کشه. پادشاهه خیلی عصبانی میشه‌. می‌خواد اون یه نفرو پیدا کنه و بندازتش توی سیاه‌چال. واسه همین یه عالمه دیگه از اون تصویر رو تکثیر میکنه و آویزون می‌کنه رو دیوار دیوار جهانش، چیز، شهرش. که کسی که روی این تمثال خراب‌کاری کرده تحت تعقیبه. چی میشه؟ فرداش همه اون تصویرا سبیل دارن. سبیلای جورواجور‌. همه آدمای ساکن شهر دست دارن کار مغشوش کردن تصویر پادشاه. نوشته: از در و دیوار سبیل می‌بارید. پادشاه بدجور گرفتار سبیل‌ها شده بود"

آیا نبوغ‌آمیز نیست؟:))) بقیشو دیگه خودتون بخونید.

[Ying Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a town lives a narcissist king who cares only about his own appearance instead of the town people's well-being. The town people cannot stand the king's narcissism and decide to draw a mustache on every King's portray. Furious is the king, of course, who wants to find out the criminals, but it turns out that every town person is involved in this mischievous act. In stead of expanding the jail to put everyone in, the king finds out that he, in fact, looks good with mustache! This is a funny and hilarious book for elementary school aged students. This will be an ideal book to read aloud to the whole class if your school has a "Mustache Day"!

[Dr. T Loves Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a king who thinks his good looks should be enough to satisfy everyone in the kingdom. His subjects disagree. So when the king gives his subjects a picture of himself instead of fixing problems in the kingdom, someone draws a mustache on it. And as more posters go up, more mustaches are drawn. Finally, the king arrests everyone in the kingdom - forcing him to build a new prison that can contain them all. And the subjects are happy to be in a newly-built town.

Not a whole lot of story, and not a whole lot of fun in the details. Illustrator Cornell has a fun style, but there's just not a lot going on in this story.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A self-centered king focuses on his outward appearance and lets the kingdom crumble around him. His subjects begin drawing mustaches on his portraits which angers him. He tricks them into confessing and has to build a huge jail to hold them all. They get what they wanted - better roads, a playground and decent homes - so are happy to be there. Meanwhile, he's all alone with his mirror.
Discuss being focused on self exclusively.
Realistic and colorful illustrations bring the story to life.
Not my favorite Barnett book but readers will enjoy the humor throughout.

[Georgina Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absurd and ironic! The story of a silly king who worships his own reflection at the expense of his subjects had this reader grinning all the way to the last page. The illustrations perfectly convey the mood of the subjects as they struggle to get the king’s attention on domestic affairs. The ironic humor will tickle readers of all ages.

Light spoilers for the ending below.

A funny act of rebellion leads to the king having a moment of reckoning. His final act in the story leads this reader to wonder did he truly see the error of his ways or did he just find a new way to admire himself?

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are what make the book great. Otherwise, for Mac Barnett book, the story could be better.

The king loves himself and has a poster with his picture plastered around the kingdom. The townpeople keep drawing mustaches on them. This makes the king angry.

The story seemed a little weak, like it was floundering along. And the ending was purely pointless.

[Mely · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cover stood out to me so I had to grab it. I think my little one is a little perplexed by it. There's not much to the story. It's about a vain king who neglects his kingdom so they all play a joke on him. In the end, their punishment really turns out to benefit them instead. Lots of detail in the illustrations.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly, jokes & themes for tots and adults both, but just not on a par with other books I've given four stars to. I think I need a reason that Duncan comes to his senses, and for the illustrations to show the citizens looking more outraged instead of just glum.

I will continue to read / view other books by both creators.

[Jason McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Mac Barnett. He's so funny and he never writes the same book twice. I haven't read one of his books in a while so this was a nice refresher. The illustrations are great, too, and really might be even better than the prose. That Jester has a hell of a job; I don't envy him having to juggle turkeys, bowling pins, ice cream cones, mirrors, etc. Whatever he's getting paid isn't enough.