Pinocula

The Creature From My Closet #3

by Obert Skye

For Rob Burnside, things are going pretty well. His friends are behaving, school isn't too bad, his family's getting along, and Janae, the girl of his dreams, occasionally notices him. Yep, life's okay—until the lying starts.

Meet Pinocula, the new creature from Rob's closet. He is a liar and a jokester and is determined to drive Rob crazy. Obert Skye doesn't let his fans down in this hilarious installment in The Creature from My Closet series, which started with Wonkenstein and Potterwookiee.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Humor, Childrens, School, Juvenile, Friendship

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2013

About the author

Obert Skye read his first book at age two. He wrote his first story at age four. And he was nearly trampled by a herd of water buffalo at age six. For a short time, he lived on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, where he spent time as a candy-taster. Several years ago, Obert Skye says, he discovered the existence of Foo. Publishing his story as a fictional series was not Obert’s first choice. Nevertheless he is content that the “history” is being told.

Hobbies and other interests: Collecting old maps, water polo, roller coasters.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a really fun book that took me back to junior high - love the 'mash up' concept of this series. I really like reading books that make you think of things you never would have thought about on your own. This book really took me by surprise! Will look for other books in this series!

[Yaritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally loved that the book was printed in purple letters. It has the cutest illustrations which made the story come to life. I enjoyed every minute. Rob is very fun and weird at the same time. He has a closest that releases weird creatures to his world. The creatures of course love to run around the world exploring Rob's life. Pinocula was such a great character very unique and inventive. Great book for young children to enjoy.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

grait book. ive read the hole seris and its the best out of all of them in my opinon. if you like funny books then you should read this seris.

[Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny, but not quality

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are still so nostalgic.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest adventure in Obert Skye's The Creature from My Closet series features a creature called Pinocula that is part Pinocchio and part Dracula. For those of you who have missed the earlier adventures, here's the 4-1-1: Rob Burnside has a bunch of stuff crammed into his closet and lately strange creatures have been emerging from the mess. First there was Wonkenstein (half Willy Wonka/half Frankenstein's monster), and then there was Potterwookiee (half Harry Potter/half Chewbacca). To figure out how to care for the creatures, Rob has to read the books that they came from. Finding a copy of Dracula turns out to be hard to do. Vampires have become so popular lately that all the books about them are checked out of the school library, Rob is banned from the public library for some earlier misbehavior, so he winds up borrowing a copy from his friend Trevor's mother. Then he joins a neighborhood book club to read Pinocchio. While he is busy trying to figure out how to deal with Pinocula and his half bat/half cricket pet named Jim, Rob also tells an increasing number of lies that snowball out of control. By the end of the book nearly everyone he knows is mad at him.

The illustrations that Rob includes in his account of the adventure are very funny and add even more humor to the story. Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, and other journal type books will probably add this series to their "must read" lists. Readers who like stories where unexplained or magical things happen such as the Spiderwick stories or the Notebook of Doom series will also probably enjoy Rob's adventures.

[Joseph F · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who like humor this book is for you! This book is a great quick read at only 256 pages long! There are also plenty of drawings throughout the book that will surely keep your attention. If you want to read this book I suggest you read the other two first or other wise things won't make sense. There is also a forth one on the way so be sure to keep an eye out but until then have fun reading! (Also, there's a lot of pop culture references. Keep a eye out for them!)

[Sue Wargo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best kids books that I've read in ages. Clever well written characters that are funny & real. The book is a mixture of text & pictures with a style that reminds you of a kids journal. For young middle schoolers. Now off to the library to read the rest of the series. Loved, loved it!

[Laura B · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10 year old is the one who read this. He wanted to give it a 4 1/2.

[Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny but hes me n this one hahahahahhahah

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Creature From My Closet Pinocula was a cute book for elementary age children, teaching the importance of telling the truth, via the age old story of Pinocchio, with a twist.

While the book was entertaining, it is definitely one that is geared towards children, and does not translate well as a book an adult will want to read. That's fine, the target audience will love the book, the series, and the characters.

A great Obert Skye read for those that are older is

Author: Obert Skye
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: 2013

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hardly read any of this, but that's why it gets 4 stars, the 8 y.o. disappears with it and can't wait for the next one ("Katfish").

[Cindyloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all the books in this series! Great step up from those tedious chapter readers, but still plenty of illustrations. Humorous, silly plots boys love.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books seriously make me laugh!

[J. Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictures/drawings throughout the book, but thought-provoking content.

[Anthony Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book... The vampire does not drink blood.

[Steve Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish these stories came out every week. the humor is spot on.

[Tara Pridy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zac, 9, bought this at the book fair a few days ago. He just finished it, and asked for the next one in the series. He's not usually an avid reader, although he is a good reader.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super funny! Something you can sink your teeth into!

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is funny and has a great moral

[Asa&Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

its very funny!

[Ryan J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy The Creature From My Closet series. In this book, like the others, the creature has its own reckless troublemaking personality who is always to be watched for mischievous actions.

[Micah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, but i'm a kid, and don't like romance. By the way, there is a little amount of romance. Enough to make a kid uncomfortable, but keep reading.

[Jackson Mohr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Potterwookie

[Bruce Screws jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a whim at the library. I had not read anything else in the series, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good as well

[Ty Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle grader Rob Burnside is a fairly normal youngster concerned with the typical issues for his age, things like fitting in and getting Janae, the girl on whom he has a crush, to notice him. But he also has this strange closet to which he no longer has access, and every now and then, a new creature emerges from the closet. In this third installment of the quirky series, Rob meets Pinocula, a half-Pinocchio/half vampire visitor, who attends school with him and causes more than a little havoc in his life. Before he knows it, Rob has reeled off quite a few lies, including one about his father owning a limousine, in order to impress Janae and his friends, and entice her to attend the school dance with him. As readers quickly realize, only the truth can save Rob, but oh, how embarrassing it is to own up to the lies he's told. I have enjoyed all the titles in this graphic novel series with a format and appeal similar to the well-loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. There are lessons a-plenty here as well as much humor to make the medicine go down smoothly. Plus, it's just possible that young readers will want to read the books that Rob reads in order to make sense of what's happening in his life.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start one.

http://spreadthewordnevada.org/

Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.

I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.

[Kellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute creature from the closet! Loved Pinocula in his dark sunglasses and hoodie. I found it hilarious that his fangs would grow as well as his nose when he told a lie. Rob learns some lessons about telling the truth in this one, and also reads a couple more books. :)

Looking forward to Katfish!