Mustache Baby Meets His Match

Mustache Baby #2

by Bridget Heos, Joy Ang (Illustrator)

When Baby Javier comes for a playdate, Baby Billy, a.k.a. Mustache Baby, feels the need to show him a thing or two, seeing how Javier’s new to town—and also sports an impressive beard. What ensues is a hilarious test of wills and facial hair, as each baby sets out to prove his manliness. It seems Mustache Baby may have truly met his match . . . but one-upmanship isn’t the point of a playdate, is it?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Friendship, Storytime, Fiction, Kids

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2015

Reviews

[Cara]

This one wasn't as good as Mustache Baby, but it was still cute.

[Abigail]

Billy, the eponymous 'Mustache Baby,' returns in this second picture-book devoted to his adventures, confronting another pint-sized tyke with facial hair in the form of Javier, the 'Beard Baby.' The two boys' naturally competitive style of play soon escalates, as each attempts to outshine the other, until both mustache and beard begin to curl in ominous ways. When their resultant fight is interrupted by Billy's mother, and they are sent to separate corners, it looks like their friendship is over before it had a chance to begin. Can these two learn to be 'pardners,' rather than hero and sidekick?

Fortunately, the answer to that is yes, making the conclusion of Mustache Baby Meets His Match a satisfying one. Although the humor here is a little less sharp than in the preceding story - in Mustache Baby there was more about good vs. bad facial hair, relying on archetypes (or perhaps stereotypes?) of good guys vs. bad guys - it is still evident, especially in the scene in which Billy's mother can be seen in the background. The artwork has a colorful, cartoon-like style that will keep young children entertained. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed the first book about Mustache Baby!

[Shandra]

So, I've come to the conclusion that Mustache Baby Meets His Match is best enjoyed by grownups. I remember thinking the first book was cute, and wondering if a kid is really going to understand a stereotypical "bad guy mustache". This charming book adds Beard Baby as a playmate and rival, and the various type of facial topiary they both sport is a lot of fun, at least for me. I just doubt kids are going to get even a quarter of the references! Still, they'll probably like the art work even if they don't get it, and it's a good story about rivalry and friendship.

[Are you not Entertained]

Baby Billy was the unique baby with facial hair... until the magnificently bearded Javier shows up for a play date. At first the boys play nicely showcasing their various talents (and amazing facial hair). Unfortunately their competitive nature develops a rivalry that could undermine their burgeoning friendship! It's time to find out if this house is big enough for the two of them!

Why it is brilliant: Once again the illustrations are the star of the story. The humorous battle of wills is depicted in the most charming and hilarious fashion. From presidential debates to the high flying antics of the boys as luchadores the tone of their rivalry is kept light.

My little readers can relate to time where they took a competition a little too far. Billy's mom steps in to teach him a lesson about being the first to say he's sorry and he learns that having a 'pardner' is far better than having a rival.

You can read more of my reviews at https://ayneblogsite.wordpress.com

[Sara Grochowski]

In this sequel to the hilarious Mustache Baby, everybody's favorite mustachioed baby meets his match - a bearded baby! Parents and kids alike love these books by Bridget Heos and Joy Ang. It's near impossible not to pick this one up - it's just too darn funny! And don't worry, there's a great lesson about friendship here as well.

[Ryan]

I'm glad this has become a series (even if there is currently only two books). Besides mustaches being all the rage, I like how the author has the god and the bad mustache and what you do with those two styles. And now we get beards too!

[Stefani Sloma]

Absolutely adorable, and not just because I'm obsessed with mustaches (which, incidentally, is the reason my coworker ordered this book for our library). Mustache Baby Meets His Match is clever and funny and would be perfect for a story time at the library or with your kids.

[Ro Long]

I read this out loud to my adult friends. This was an adorable book! We loved it. A few innuendos were made but everyone escaped no worse for the wear and ha OMG had a fun reading experience. To my friends, you're welcome. We loved it!

[Julia]

Just so good. It's everything I was hoping for and more! Great for a preschool storytime...and a great opportunity to have your baby make a fake mustache or beard and then wear it. Just saying.

[Stay]

Bad Guy Mustache Vs. Bad Guy Beard. They go hair to hair to see who is top facial hair. Why can't we be friends?

Was just read the Xrated version by Ms. Ember. Killed it.

[Karyn The Pirate]

Gotta love that Mustache Baby! Now we have the Bearded Baby to add to the mix.

[Holly]

This was very cute and my 3-year-old laughed pretty hard, although the slang was a little much for his age.

[Brunette Librarian]

Cute and the introduction of "bearded baby" is adorable!

[Kris]

This is my 3-year old son's current favorite book, and I am so happy that it is one that I can enjoy, too. It is funny and witty and well-illustrated. Just as enjoyable for adults as it is for kids.

[Megan]

Even more funny- sometimes, it's nice to have a break from the deep, serious texts. These books do just that!

[Cindy Kleback]

Mustache Baby wanted a sidekick and instead finds a rival in Beard Baby.

[Angie]

The ONLY reason I read the second in the Mustache Baby books is because I had checked them both out from the library. Otherwise I wouldn't have picked up the second one after the first. The first was already age-inappropriate with jokes and inferences that went way over young children's heads. This one was even worse in that regard. Lots of double meanings and pop culture references that are lost on small readers. And I normally appreciate vocabulary that stretches children, but this book has too much. It's as if the author decided that children's stories were such an onerous task for adults that they'd sneak them some entertainment. This one looks like it's for the kids, but it's really for you.

[Becky]

First sentence: Baby Billy was born with a mustache.

Premise/plot: This is the sequel to Mustache Baby. In this second book, Baby Billy is mostly at odds with Baby Javier, a bearded baby. The problem? Baby Javier and Baby Billy both want to be THE BOSS and tell the other what to do. Also both babies want to be THE BEST. Can these two learn to be friends and get along?

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. I don't know that I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it like I did the first book. But I liked it. The illustrations make this a clever read. It's the little details--often in the illustrations--that bring a smile. For example, when the two compete at running for President.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

[Alicia]

The first one is just so good, but this one is pretty entertaining as well. We see this book continue pretty much from where the first one leaves off, and Mustache Baby tries to learn how to be competitive with a friend. The book again teaches a good lesson through humor and readers will enjoy the little asides/how the text and illustrations work together to tell the story. Funny.

For: mustache fans; readers wanting a book about competing with friends.

Possible red flags: fighting with a friend.

[Shannon]

This book had me cracking up. The illustrations were amazing, and even though a lot of the allusions will go over kids' heads (the art they painted, the Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln impersonations), they should still find the story entertaining. I particularly loved the looks on the various characters' faces at certain points in the story (Billy get disarmed, and the cat while Billy is walking the plank were my favorites).

[Adella]

Love it!! This books is so funny and cute.
Although, I am not sure the correct word was used on one page. It says...Billy tried to best Javier at:
Math
Art.
Aviation
Running for president
How do you best someone? It implies "beat" someone. I feel the word choice could have been better, or maybe I have a misprint.

[Stacey]

So cute! I couldn’t wait to read this book after finishing Mustache Baby. I am so glad I added this book to my collection. I had quite a few laughs as I turned the pages. I can’t wait to share this with my students. The growth that occurs with Billy and Javier’s relationship is a great lesson to share.

[Jo Oehrlein]

Starts where Mustache Baby left off -- meeting the new baby neighbor who has a beard.

This book is mainly about friendship, competition, and that one doesn't have to be the star and the other the sidekick; instead, we can have partners.

[AMY]

This is a silly book. I love it! Kids will laugh out loud when you read this one. The mustache baby has a new rival and they don't stop competing until an intervention by his parents occurs. The colorful illustrations are hilarious and fun. Highly recommended for Grades K-2.

[Jessica]

There were some funny parts in this book, like the famous paintings being included, Santa's sleigh, and the Presidents, although TR could never have run against Lincoln. But overall I don't get why babies have a mustache and a beard.

[Misty (Red's Romance Reviews)]

My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed this read, one of our favorites for sure!!

[Beth]

Sweeter, cuter, funnier, and more clever than the first one.

[Miss Ryoko]

Not as good as the first one, but still super adorable and hilarious. I laughed a few times. I hope there will be more Mustache Baby books on the horizon

[Katie Dicesare]

Good for conversation about competitiveness.

[Ally.Always.Reads]

These books are so cute! I can’t fight the smile and laughs that come with reading these two. They will forever be in my library so my children and their children and their children...