School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4 While this book is supposed to be funny, most children will find it lacking in humor and interest. The story centers on Ludlow, born with a frown on his face, who works in a complaint department and comes home grumpy and grouchy every night. Without explanation, one night in his sleep, Ludlow begins to laugh. The townspeople who hear him begin to laugh with him. A radio station begins to broadcast his laughs, and the whole world laughs with him. Then just as suddenly as his laughing started, it stops. In the end Ludlow is shown sleeping soundly in his bed. A final picture (with no text) shows a now-smiling Ludlow. But few will really care whether Ludlow is smiling or frowning. The plot is strained and contrived. The pages are filled with boldly drawn full-color illustrations that are reminiscent of Leger's modeled figures. These pictures include dialogue balloons filled with ``ha-ha-ha,'' ``har-har''s and ``haw-haw''sthe only clue that the story might be humorous. Sharron McElmeel, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, Iowa (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Lurid colors combine with the dense black in Agee's illustrations of a strange tale about louring Ludlow. Born with his mouth in a downward curve, Ludlow never smiles. When he becomes an adult, he works in a complaint department, the right place for a grump. But one night, a funny dream coaxes a laugh out of Ludlow while he sleeps. On the following nights, the dream gets funnier, and all the people in the area roar their laughter in tune with Ludlow. A team from a radio station sets up a microphone in his room and the laughter is flashed around the globe until it stops, as suddenly as it had started. Readers discover, however, that great things happen to affect Ludlow thereafter and they will give a cheer for the erstwhile churl. (6up) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
