MAGGIE AND THE MONSTER

by Elizabeth Winthrop ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 1987

Two well-established contributors to children's books offer a new look at the hackneyed subject of bogeys at bedtime, with both wit and style. Maggie's monster is about Maggie's size, green, female, wears a remarkably ugly dress, and has buckteeth, a tail, and huge appendages. Maggie doesn't like her much (she rackets about and keeps Maggie awake), but instead of panicking, she tries hanging a sign on the door: ""Monsters Keep Out!"" That failing, Maggie asks the monster what she wants. It turns out she can't find her mother, who Maggie knows has been hidden in the broom closet all along. Reunion accomplished, Maggie's off to a good sleep. There are some sensible values here, chief among them the self-reliance that allows a child (in consultation with her mother) to solve her own problems. DePaola's monsters are not scary, just oddly formed, his spare, colorful illustrations just right for the lightly comic text. This is slight, but the delicious chuckle at the end is worth the price.

Pub Date: April 15, 1987

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Holiday House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1987

Categories: CHILDREN'S