Backstage with Beth and Trina: A Scratch-and-Sniff Adventure

Backstage with Beth and Trina: A Scratch-and-Sniff Adventure
By Julie Blattberg
Illustrated by Wendi Koontz
(Image, $14.95)

The concept of applying scratch-and-sniff technology to rock music sounds ill-fated, at best; Rock is many things to many people, but it's foul smelling to almost everyone. In fact, a quick perusal of CBGBs toilets and sweat-soaked bass players can support the argument that the better it is, the worse it smells. So it was with great trepidation that we unwrapped Backstage with Beth and Trina: A Scratch-and-Sniff Adventure, for fear of aggravating flashbacks and a hair-trigger gag reflex.

Author Julie Blattberg has clearly done her research and returned from the trenches with an illustrated, not-really-for-kids book full of grown-up rock & roll stink: lipstick, leather, marijuana and puke-scented pads escort you through two groupies' journey to get backstage. It's an almost fairytale evening, as (SPOILER ALERT!) Beth hooks up with the lead singer, the drummer hits on Trina, hair is burned and vomit is spilled, all with far more aromatic assistance than you might have asked for. But that, of course, is the fun of it. There is a familiar schoolyard dare implied with every invitation to put your nose up to the page, and that's something that never gets old. We're terrified of the sequel.

Out Now:
Backstage with Beth and Trina: A Scratch-and-Sniff Adventure