Troubling Tonsils! (Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales!

Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales!

by Aaron Reynolds, Peter Brown (Illustrator)

Three starred reviews!
An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!

“Beautiful to the eye and sure to delight younger horror enthusiasts” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

From the team behind the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal–winning Creepy Carrots! and its sequels comes the first entry in a spin-off chapter book series in which Jasper Rabbit tells the story of a young marmot whose tonsils get the better of him.

Jasper the Rabbit is back! A little older and wiser, he collects creepy stories to share as cautionary tales. 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 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… First, strange slurping sounds in his room keep Charlie awake the night before his surgery. Then, he goes to the doctor only to be told his tonsils are already gone! Could it be they’re out for revenge?

Join Jasper and Charlie in this first Creepy Tale chapter book and learn from Charlie’s mistakes before it’s too late!

Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Humor, Childrens, Animals, Fantasy, Fiction

86 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Aaron Reynolds is a New York Times Bestselling Author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including Dude!, Creepy Carrots!, Creepy Pair of Underwear!, Nerdy Birdy, and tons more. He frequently visits schools and his highly participatory presentations are a blast for kids and teachers alike. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife, two kids, four cats, and between three and ten fish, depending on the day.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[DianaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

equal parts absolutely funny and creepy!

i adore the twilight zone reference and totally didn’t hear the iconic music playing in my head while i read…

[Skye Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review!!!
This is such a cute book!!!
It’s equal funny and creepy! Which is a perfect mix if I do say so myself.
And the illustrations make this book perfect!👌
But the ending?! I did not expect that🙂‍↔️not at all! It’s crazy!🤪
This book is definitely 5 stars!⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am definitely NOT the target audience for this book and while I haven't read the other books (Creepy Carrots, etc.), I know they were a big hit during the elementary school book fairs. This book was a delightful mix of creepy, cute, and funny, and the illustrations were perfect. At first, I was confused because the cover page has a picture of a marmot (definitely not a rabbit) and the subtitle was "Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales". But quickly I realized that Jasper Rabbit is telling us the scary tales, perhaps around a campfire.

The story is about Charlie the Marmot who develops a sore throat and needs to have his tonsils taken out. Simple right? Not so fast. It's not long before the story takes a creepy turn, but not so scary that children would be completely freaked out. I loved how the author included an explanation of what tonsils are and how they help us, but also why we can probably do without them (we have other defenses in our body). The story was cleverly told and had the vibe of the Twilight Zone without being too scary for children. I found it delightful and would recommend it for elementary school children who are interested in a spooky story.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids and I were really looking forward to another eerie adventure with Jasper Rabbit, and the premise of The Case of the Troubling Tonsils had all the makings of a fun, creepy tale. The setup is solid. It’s quirky, imaginative, and just the right amount of spooky for young readers who like their bedtime stories with a side of suspense.

But somewhere along the way, the charm fizzled out. The story felt stretched, and the humor didn’t quite hit the same as the previous Jasper Rabbit books. The vocabulary is a little advanced and makes the story inaccessible to the target audience. The illustrations are fabulous, but the pacing lagged and the resolution felt a little flat. My kids, ages 6 and 9, zoned out by chapter two.

It’s not a bad book, but it didn’t deliver the same spark or surprise we were hoping for. A middle-of-the-road read with a spooky tone that’s more mild than memorable. Would definitely recommend for any children who are having a tonsillectomy.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

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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[Betsy Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new addition to the Creepy Tales series is a chapter book. This is like a Twilight Zone episode for kids! Charlie needs his tonsils removed but on the day of surgery, they’re already gone. Where did they go, and what is leaving that slimy film in his room? Charlie decides not to sleep in case something creepy happens, but even the strongest among us succumbs to sleep at some point. You’ll never guess what happens next!! Kids will love it

[Ashley W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore the Jasper Rabbit books, and my students—middle schoolers included—have always loved them. There’s something timeless and fun about Jasper’s spooky adventures.

This new series seems geared toward a slightly older audience and feels like an introduction to the horror genre for kids, without being too scary. The author introduces new characters in his storytelling.While I like the concept and see a lot of potential, the story felt a bit stretched. As a beginning chapter book, it runs longer than necessary and lacks the charm and humor that made *Creepy Carrots* and *Creepy Pair of Underwear* so beloved.

I’m hopeful future installments will recapture the wit and playfulness fans expect from Jasper Rabbit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freaking wonderful! Jasper Rabbit introduces the tale looking like a bunny Rod Serling and we get a Twilight Zone for kids story which had the perfect twist. This book is ideal for kids who loved Jasper’s picture books but are a bit too old now.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

the ending is very Twilight Zone sublime. However I did find the writing overly extravagant. I would love to go through the text and remove about a third of the words. I read it over two weeks to third graders and we all had a good time, it just felt overly wordy.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the picture books that inspired it.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This creepy tale features Charlie, a marmot with a nasty tonsil infection—sounds simple, until things take an eerie turn. While the story had a fun, spooky vibe and some unexpected twists, it didn’t fully land for me. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. A decent read for fans of creepy-but-not-too-scary stories. Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first in a series of Creepy Tales for kids chapter book. The bunny (Jasper Rabbit) from this authors other books (Creepy Crayon) narrates as a Rod Serling type. Hilarious!! A Marmot named Charlie is getting his tonsils out.👅

[McKenna Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Readers ARC Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the author @aaronreynoldsbooks, the illustrator @peterbrownstudio and @simonkids for the #gifted book.

🐰Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales: Troubling Tonsils
🗓️Release Date: September 2, 2025
✍️Written by Aaron Reynolds | 🎨 Illustrated by Peter Brown

If your household is anything like mine, you already know and love Creepy Carrots, Creepy Pair of Underwear, and Creepy Crayon! So when I heard Jasper Rabbit was getting his very own chapter book spin-off series—where he tells creepy stories—I absolutely had to get my hands on it.

This one was a hit! 🦷 In Troubling Tonsils, a marmot discovers his tonsils may be more trouble than they’re worth… and it’s every bit as silly, spooky, and clever as you’d hope. My daughter was hooked from the first page, full of questions and giggles. Bonus? She now knows what tonsils actually do! 👏🏼

This book is such a great balance of funny and eerie with just the right amount of spookiness for young readers. And of course, Peter Brown’s illustrations are the perfect mix of creepy-cute. 🎨 If your kids enjoy slightly spooky stories with humor and heart, this is one to add to your shelf—though sensitive readers might want to steer clear.

We’re already counting down to the next creepy tale!

[Jennifer Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beginner chapter book is the first in a new series entitled, Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales. Troubling Tonsils is perfect for the 6-9 year old audience that is interested in creepy (but not too scary) stories. This book would be great for independent readers that are just venturing into reading chapter books, but it would also be great for caregivers or educators to share with children as a read aloud.

As an educator and parent, I’ve discovered that pretty much every child I’ve shared them with has loved the Creepy picture books by Aaron Reynolds, so I was thrilled when I learned that we were going to be getting beginner chapter books set in the same world! The first book follows Charlie Marmot as he discovers what tonsils are and then goes through an increasingly creepy experience with his. The chapters are short and each ends at a climatic point that will have young readers on the edge of their seat waiting to see what happens next. The illustrations by Peter Brown are placed strategically throughout each chapter and will assist at further engaging and intriguing readers. The illustrations matched perfectly with the details of the corresponding pages in the story and will have reader’s imaginations running wild.

Overall, I think that young readers that are interested in a thrilling, creepy story will absolutely love Troubling Tonsils and will be begging for the next book in the Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales series. This book will appeal to fans of the picture books, but I think that it will also find its own audience amongst young readers that are interested in scary stories, but aren’t quite ready for full-fledged horror.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to review an eARC of this title!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very, very mild horror, to ease kids into the concept. As an early chapter book, the bad that is about to happen is creeping slowly up on the reader, and tricks them into thinking everything is normal. That this is just a story of being getting your tonsils taken out, and no more.

The story opens rather like the twilight zone, with a narrator, Jasper Rabbit, warning us that things are not what they seem.

But, strange things begin to happen, the closer to the operation, hinting that perhaps it is not as normal as it proposes to be.

This is probably a good book to start kids out with, if they have never read horror before, and especially since it is something they can read on their own, without too much trouble. And since kids seem to get into this sort of thing, this might be a good front door. This is part of a series, so if they like this, there will be more. Before this series there was the "Creepy Carrots" group of books.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published the 2nd of September 2025

[Misty • booksplusplants · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this and can’t wait for the next one in the series!

OK, this is very different from the books I usually review, but when I saw this available on NetGalley I had to request a copy.

I have three kids, and we are BIG fans of Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown. I’m not kidding when I say Creepy Carrots, Creepy Pair of Underwear, and/or Creepy Crayon are always in our read-aloud rotation.

Troubling Tonsils is a bit different, as Jasper Rabbit isn’t actually featured, instead it’s a creepy tale he’s telling.
It’s also a bit longer and separated into chapters. There are fewer illustrations, but we really loved the ones sprinkled throughout.

As soon as I showed my kids the cover, my daughter immediately ran to grab Creepy Carrots! So we definitely love Peter Brown’s illustration style.

The story was cute, and had some laugh-out-loud moments. We weren’t sure what was going to happen, keeping us on the edge of the seat until the end. I will definitely be purchasing a copy to add to the rotation!

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed a Net Gallery ARC. Reynolds and Brown did not disappoint in this humorous chapter book. Each character has a distinct personality. Loved Charlie’s dad’s support of his unusual request for Dr. Burrows. Shorter chapters make this a good transition from this team’s picture books. The writing is witty. “Flora did not possess a sense of humor that he was aware of, so it seemed unlikely.” Children will fall in love with Jasper all over again. At first, I was concerned about a mom giving her child a glass jar to carry to school but that’s an adult perspective and likely wouldn’t be a concern for kids. That my only issue with the story. Brown’s drawings are clever, as always. Loved Mom and Dr. Burrows examining Jasper’s tonsil-free mouth. All in all, this will be a great read aloud to share in my school library spaces.

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasper Rabbit has become a household staple for us, so when I saw this was releasing, I immediately requested it to read/review with my son, aged 6. This is such a suspenseful tale of Charlie Marmot and his journey through a tonsilectomy. As a person who went through this as an adult, it was quite accurate to the process! I enjoyed the humor and Charlie's excitement with show-and-tell, as well as the thoughtful illustrations.

Although this book would not normally be in my wheelhouse as a 43 year-old mom, it was a delightful book that young readers will enjoy, especially as we enter spooky season.

Thank you, Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown for sharing your expertise with us. I look forward to more from Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review - and to NetGalley!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasper Rabbit of carrot fame is back. He is older and even wiser as you also may be, so here is his first chapter book for you. Jasper Rabbit is now collecting and sharing tales of a cautionary nature. Troubling Tonsils! Is his first installment where creepy is the vibe and I might add the word scary. The warning involved Charlie Marmont who, after having a sore throat learns he needs his tonsils removed. He asks the doctor if he can keep these extracted glands in a jar for the most fabulous of all school show and tell. The doctor reluctantly agrees. But the day of his surgery those fleshy pink glands of Charlie’s, and please pardon the pun, extract revenge!

[Holly Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids love all of Jasper Rabbit’s stories. Now as they get older, the stories get scarier with them. The Twilight Zone looms large in the ‘you don’t find out what really happened’ story. The suspense and creepiness are spot on for second and third graders. This would be a fun read aloud the week of Halloween.

I read all books wearing my teacher librarian hat. To me, this is a must have book for an elementary collection. It won’t be perfect for every student. But to me, it is destined to be constantly checked out.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Marmot has a sore throat, so his dad takes him to the doctor who reports that Charlie will need to have his tonsils removed. At first, surgery sounds a little scary and then he realizes he can bring his removed tonsils to school (in a jar, of course) to gross out his classmates. But, Charlie's tonsils have a plan too. Just like the picture books, the only pop of color comes from the creepy object--the tonsils. Scary, creepy, and disgusting--perfect for 1st grade and up. Jasper's introduction is a perfect pitch for a booktalk. I love the Twilight Zone-esque introduction and conclusion. For fans of the Creepy Carrots picture book series, The Skull, and Schwartz's Scary Stories.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Cheeky trigger warnings at beginning if you might pee your pants from fright, laughter, or confusion! What really are tonsils and what do they do?
Cute story with just enough creepy and an unexpected ending with a moral. Foreshadowing in the pictures. Easy color illustrated chapter book.

[Madi Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a total play on the twilight zone so I thought it was super funny! But then my students had no idea what the twilight zone was… so you may need to introduce that before reading! But they did like it!

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely perfect book for Halloween (or anytime) read alouds. It’s a short chapter book that has a twilight zone feel . The reader will never think about tonsils in the same way after finishing this story. The illustrations are perfect with the text.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie Marmot needs his tonsils to come out since they have become infected. His great idea of keeping them in a jar turns the children’s book onto a creepy path. Not only does his room produce strange sounds, but when the procedure is about to begin, the tonsils are gone! What does this mean? Where did they go? And what is that slurping sound?

What a funny and creepy tale! My kids love “Creepy Carrots”, “Creepy Underwear”, and “Creepy Crayon”, so when I saw this children’s chapter book by the same author, Aaron Reynolds, I was excited to it a go! I’m not a big “horror” reader, but in a children’s book? I’m all in!

I love how Jasper shares the story of Charlie as a cautionary tale. Charlie’s character is so childlike and innocent, even when wanting to keep his tonsils, it would be easy for children to relate. It can also teach a lesson more easily since the protagonist is relatable to children.

I love the illustrations included. It helped to bring visuals to the story and they are so inviting for children. The illustrations will definitely encourage children to continue reading, especially the ones that are silly.

Once this is out for publication, I plan to get a physical copy to read to my oldest. I believe he would appreciate this story, just like he did the illustrated creepy tales!

“Troubling Tonsils!” receives a 5 out of 5 stars from me for its creativity, lesson to be learned, and how engaging it will be for children. I recommend to children who enjoy some creepy tales, whether read on their own or with a parent.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher (Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) for giving me the opportunity to read “Troubling Tonsils!”. All opinions are my own.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the "Creepy" picture book series so I knew I wanted to read this. It did not disappoint! A fun, cute, and slightly creepy illustrated novel for kids.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Twilight Zone-inspired tale for elementary aged kids and the adults who read to them. If you enjoyed any of Jasper Rabbit's previous stories, you will love this one!

[Wolverinefactor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly fun. I can see kids eating this up

[Amy Camp · Rating 4 out of 5]

My tonsils were troubling too, I really relate to Charlie