“Hello, sports fans!!!”

From Yehudi Mercado’s Chunky.

After returning from yet another doctor appointment where he’s warned that he’s too overweight, young Hudi is pleasantly surprised to discover than a friendly, fat, and pink imaginary monster name Chunky has appeared to be his personal mascot. Hudi and Chunky are less than thrilled with Hudi’s parents push him to participate in sports in an effort to get Hudi to lose weight. Hudi tries baseball, soccer, swimming, and tennis all with painful emergency room visit results. Through each sport endeavor, Chunky encourages Hudi to find something to laugh about, but Hudi’s efforts to fit in with a bully soon pushes the two apart as Chunky just wants Hudi to try acting. Some problems at home makes life even more difficult for Hudi, but when his size makes him a success on the football team, he does whatever he can to make the coach happy. Struggling with his success in football and his love for making people laugh, Hudi must make a choice that will push him to once and for all decide if he want’s to follow Chunky’s encouragement or go along with what everyone else seems to want for him.

This biography is filled with lots of heart, humor, and enough fantasy to differentiate it from other biographies, especially for young or reluctant readers. Mercado is honest with the struggles that he faced as a child, which is the graphic novel’s driving force. Even through difficulties, Mercado manages to create a story that is funny and genuine, making Chunky an adventure unlike any other.