Book Jacket

 

rank 1082
word count 10970
date submitted 23.05.2010
date updated 19.06.2010
genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Children'...
classification: moderate
incomplete

Invasion of the Storybook Zombies

TravisT

A zombie plague has struck the world of classic children’s literature – and no-one is safe.

 

When naughty Peter Rabbit ventures onto Doctor McGregor’s property, he comes back home…different.

Before long a plague is spreading through the world of children’s literature, changing beloved storybook characters into ravenous, flesh-eating zombies. It’s up to a small, brave band of iconic characters to try and halt the plague, defeat the zombies, and save their world from destruction.

 
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tags

children's literature, funny, horror, scary, storybook characters, zombies

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26 comments

 

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idbeholda wrote 581 days ago

Very cute. Backed with pleasure.

NMott wrote 698 days ago

From the pitch it sounds like a great story.
Have you read Jasper Fforde's novels - the Thursday Next series and the Nursery Crimes Division? Yours follows in a similar vein. You should consider submitting it to Fforde's agent.
However - having just skimmed through your chapters -you need to work it up into a proper novel first. An excellent concept, though.

Ben Hardy wrote 705 days ago

I am on my lunch hour, so a perfect time to be reading about zombies and brains. It means, though, I have only got to the end of chapter three. I love this - it is hilarious. You have got the tone of each of the three authors absolutely right so far - to the extent that I would need to read the books you pastiche just to make sure that you haven't copied them, until the zombies appear. Even if you have, you have done so in such a way that the zombies are nearly seemless. I particularly liked the Tigger chapter - classic. More please - the possibilites are endless: Just William? Alice in Wonderland? The Hobbit? The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Ben

jfredlee wrote 722 days ago

Travis -

This is delightful. And I'm about fifty years older than your target audience.

Happy to back Storybook Zombies.

-Jeff Lee
THE LADIES TEMPERANCE CLUB'S FAREWELL TOUR

Robert Mourningstar wrote 722 days ago

I like the story. It seems to be a nice blend of horror, humor and details. I would say the value of a good shock really shows up in your work. How you twist peter rabbit, pooh character is really good. Reminds me of Gregory Macquire slight with the twisted of children stories. It does have that little morbid twist. I can't see peter cotton-tail actually doing that.
But the one thing might hinder you with this story is that I'm not sure you can legally write about Winnie the Pooh, Peter Rabbit or Dr. Seuss. I know if I was the owner of the Winnie the Pooh character, then I'd probably be contacting my lawyer if you actually published the book and sue you for damages to my character reputation. You might end up owning somebody alot more money than you can make off the book. Just information for thought.

klouholmes wrote 723 days ago

Hi Travis, This is the way to horror! It’s funny to see how these stories are corrupted. I liked the Tigger poem. Much tension because Tigger could be expected to attack. This has shock value. Shelved – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Mike LaRiviere wrote 728 days ago

Travis,

I was a Pee Wee Herman fan once, I have a Crypt Keeper doll guarding my printer, a stuffed Earl the Dead Cat, a big rubber life like snake in a large jar in which it can't breath, and a 65 year old stuffed squirrel given to me by my grandfather that I never feed. All of that pales in the face of your work. Plagiarism and all.

Your work will mess up the minds of any innocent child, except for my four year old granddaughter who loves zombie anything, and her present favorite story is about zombie boy scouts.

Water rats, moles, and toads make great conversationalists and are noted for their loyalty. You have confirmed all my suspicions about subcultures within the creature kingdom of darkness.

Naughty Peter was my favorite, because I like Winnie the Pooh. You crossed over the line when you messed with Tigger, you blazen and heartless madman. Who gave you the right to take a pen and destroy the only sanity and stability that supported my little world?

I found myself riding along on the breezes of your story that didn't even change into a moderate wind before the full gale force of your destructive and sick sense of humor ruined my only claim to normalcy --Pooh.

I must say that you developed the characters so well that I found myself psychologically crashing as I experienced the endings. You carried me through the acceptable, into the unforgivable, past the unbelievable, and down to the unacceptable before you threw me to the ground atop the sharp tipped bamboo shoots of twisted humor that tore out my heart and pierced my kidneys.

Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton Tail for lunch??? I hope that a PMSing Erma Bombeck invades your dreams and you are justifiably flayed on the rack of reverse irony.

Other than that, I loved it --every stinking bit of it. All the macabre wit, the deranged funnies. All the debauched and beastialic relationships hidden beneath the guise of a wet rat.

I can't wait to try this sick wit on my granddaughter. Zombie wet rats! You gotta love it.

Well done on creativity. Hat's off to your wordsmithing expertise. By the way, you misspelled - -.

PawPaw Mike LaRiviere
Eden's Door

Steve Palmer wrote 728 days ago

I don't know which one of us is sicker - you for writing this or me for finding it very funny. The writing is very good too. I'm just off to see who else you're going to wipe out.

Steve (Scar Tissue)

PATRICK BARRETT wrote 728 days ago

This is a funny twist from Beatrix Potter's books - she would turn in her grave, I am sure! Your book is so quirky, funny and basically a fantastic read. I really feel that it will do well & should definitely appeal to a wide audience. Best wishes - Paula (Cuthbert - How Mean is my Valley?)

dalar1 wrote 728 days ago

Its Pride and Prejudice and Zombies for Kids! What fun! Good luck.

D.E. LaRiviere (AKA Milo Saint) Six of One

Sandie Newman wrote 728 days ago

I love the idea for this, especially the 'naughty Peter Rabbit' bit. Traditional fairy tales with a twist are always brilliant and this also has a striking cover, very important. Excellent, backed with pleasure.

Sandie
The Crown of Crysaldor

yasmin esack wrote 728 days ago

Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful.

Backed

solo1 wrote 729 days ago

Just had to tell you that my kid put you on my watchlist and I said, Oh no some zombie killing adult book - but he had read your pitch and just laughed. And I read your chapters and I laughed along with him. This is wonderful for your target audience. I'm sure you will do well with this! Very creative! Solo

Esrevinu wrote 729 days ago

Travis, what a nice and funny original concept, and your writing style is excellent and humorous in places. The first chapter is very strong and sets a good pace. I wish you the best
Scott
The Esrevinu Chronicles/Secrets of the Elephant Rocks

Barry Wenlock wrote 729 days ago

Ha ha! Very funny -- poor old Tigger! More, more and lots more, please. This is surely just a start?
Backed with pleasure, Barry
Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys

Tim Andrewartha wrote 730 days ago

An interesting take on the zombie story. Most amusing. Backed.

eloraine wrote 730 days ago

Backed with pleasure, E.Loraine Royal Blood Chronicles book one

Melcom wrote 730 days ago

An original idea that will frighten the cr** out of kids!! Not sure how that will go down but...

Very polished writing makes this a compelling read.
Melxx
Impeding Justice

lynn clayton wrote 731 days ago

I love green brains and ham. I don't know about children, but adults will adore this book - any excuse to read about Peter Rabbit again but in a wholly new adventure. brilliant. Backed. Lynn

Laurie A Will wrote 731 days ago

Travis,

Very funny, I love the concept of Peter Rabbit becoming a flesh easting zombie. Almost classic.

backed!

Laurie - Into The Master's Lair

Owen Quinn wrote 731 days ago

What a bloody brilliant original thought provoking idea. This is brilliant, on par with marvel Zombie universe in taking what we know and completely throwing it on its head. fairytales are by rep lone, dark warnings but to put the zombie plague in is just genius. Imagine Humpty Falling off that wall now, a total breath of fresh air.

Jeff Orton wrote 731 days ago

TravisT? As in "travesty?" I remember an author who went by the similar name of "Travis Tea." His book Atlanta Nights which was printed by PublishAmerica caused quite a stir on the internet a few years ago. This wouldn't be the same Travis Tea, would it?

Burgio wrote 731 days ago

STORYBOOK ZOMBIES
This is a clever idea for a children’s book. Green Brains and Ham is especially clever. Two problems: it’s a little violent for young readers and, of course, I’m sure you know Pooh and maybe even Peter Rabbit are copyrighted. The last chapter shows your real writing style – and it’s good (maybe you should stick to that). I’m backing this on the clever idea. Reading this made my morning. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

SusieGulick wrote 731 days ago

Dear Travis, I love your re-write of the stories - "Sam I AM" is fantastic - you make me laugh at your turn of words - I hope you do many many more. ) Your rhymes are so wonderful, too. :) You are extremely gifted. :) Please write more. :) Before I began to read your book, I was prepared by your recap/pitch,which was very well done. :) Your story is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm "backing" your book: When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved...authonomy. :) Please "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :)
p.s. Remember: Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs. :)

soutexmex wrote 731 days ago

Welcome aboard, Travis. This website will improve your writing craft, if you allow it. I'm a bit of a pitch doctor, having read thousands of pitches in my time on this website, so I want to share my insight here with you. You have to think of your pitches as your sales tool to grab the casual reader's eyes. The short pitch is a bit cheeky but works. For the long pitch, expand on the story arch; we need more details, then break it down into smaller paragraphs so it reads faster. End it with one succinct question to pique your casual reader's interest. Perfecting your pitches is how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel. The writing is good so I am SHELVING you.

Though I have been a very active member for over a year and have the most commented book, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

William Holt wrote 731 days ago

Read all, enjoyed all. My comment is the following sonnet recommending a similar treatment for The Bard:

ELIZABETHAN ZOMBIES

What does old Shakespeare need from readers now,
This poet-playwright honored down the years
With praise from every nation and somehow
Even from the envious, whose saltwater tears
Confess his power despite their grudging hearts?
There's little we can offer now, unless
We let his famous people play new parts
Letting them live again while we address
Matters for which he never showed concern.
Our age is burdened by our history
Of genocides and wars so foul we turn
In self-defense to comic mystery.
And Shakespeare surely won't erupt in rage
When undead creatures stalk across his stage.

If Pride and Prejudice can be retold with zombies, why not everything else??

Bill

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