Dylan the Villain Hardcover – Illustrated, March 8, 2016

I can honestly say that I did not enjoy this short-story and I did not enjoy reading it to my children. This story was all about how a child was born into a normal family, but they knew from the moment he was born that he was going to be evil! Who writes a story like that?

It is rare occurrence that a talented author is also is a talented illustrator. It made me appreciate and respect KG Campbell's detailed work even more than I already did. This is a very clever story about a boy named Dylan who was a super-villain. The sun rose and set on Dylan. He was made to feel that he was the absolute best, until he entered the special academy for only the most villainous and vile, that is. He quickly realized that he was quite ordinary next to the one and only Addison Van Malice. To rid himself of this villainous rival once and for all, Dylan sent Addison away. Unfortunately, Miss Addison was light years ahead of Dylan and once again, one upped him. The end? A bit Tim Burtonesque, but I highly doubt it. I am sure this clever author has more up his sleeve and trust me, WE WANT MORE!

For anyone who buys presents for small children, I can, without reservation, recommend the picture book "Dylan the Villain." The grown-ups in my family must have been forced to read this a combined total of at least twenty times yesterday. The four year old was fascinated, and the two year old thought it was cool (but not as cool as her owl book). The illustrations are lovely and produce lots of opportunities for discussion. (Which robot do you think is scariest? Which costume do you like best?) The humor is funny to both adults and children. The story fostered a great, age appropriate, discussion about how it's OK to not always be the best, but that you have to always do/try your best.

This book had me at "hello". The very first line, "Mr. and Mrs. Snivels were minding their own business when they happened to have a baby." Although there are no new stories, there are fresh and interesting ways of telling old ones. This is one of the freshest I've seen in awhile! I am always on the look out for something in the picture book genre that I can use to teach writers how something CAN be done right. K.G. Campbell's book is one I will definitely use to show 1. Great opening lines in picture books 2. Making a "bad character" loveable.

We loved the story of Dylan the Villain. I shared it with my nephew and he was memorized by the drawings and the words. He didn't want to go to the next page :) When we were done he said - I guess I am like Dylan. I asked him why and he said I always want to win in whatever I do. My nephew has the best imagination and so does Dylan. Dylan and my nephew will grow up with more understanding that be careful what you wish for! And watch what you say, words can be hurtful.......We loved it KG Campbell and look forward to future books by you.

I bought Dylan the Villain for my dear friends' 3.5 yr. old grandson. Something about that mischievous face on the book cover got to me. Grandpa reported that grandson, Jacob, who is a bit devilish himself, thoroughly enjoyed this delightful story and great illustrations. He also said that Jacob's older brother and sister gathered around and loved the story too. I don't have any young people in my family, but Dylan will be my "go-to" gift for friends' children in future.Thank you K.G. Campbell!!

Great story for a child.

Love that the villain is beat by a girl and that the story could continue if the reader wants to make up an ending.