Taking cues from classic fright films, Keller introduces “slime scientist” Victoria Frankenstein, who is Black. Bored with her past successes, STEM-inclined Victoria and her trusty pup sidekick, Igor, concoct never-seen formulations that local kids line up for, including rainbow cloud slime and a glow-in-the-dark zombie slime. But when inspiration—and lightning—both strike one night in Victoria’s attic lab, she and Igor have to flee their latest oozing creation, yelling “IT’S ALIVE!” Luckily, the new monster, more helpful than hellish, joins Victoria’s experiment team. Belote fills scenes with humorous details, including beaker labels and lists that appear on Victoria’s blackboard wall. Horror movie–flavored suspense keeps readers on the edge of their seats, and young scientists will appreciate the slime recipes included in the back matter. Ages 4–7. (July)

-- Publishers Weekly

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"Victoria is a wonderful, inquisitive protagonist of color with a warm heart, and three of her amazing slime recipes are appended."

-- Booklist

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"This title is great for group read-alouds or independent reading. The story is entertaining, and kids are sure to get a kick out of the detailed illustrations... Highly recommended for all picture book collections."

-- School Library Journal, starred review

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'With its lively, science-y text and pore-over-able cartoony illustrations (including LOL-worthy endpapers), this picture book, with its welcome brown-skinned-science-girl protagonist, will stick with readers."

-- The Horn Book