Good, clean fun.
Never mind a monster under the bed; this one’s under the tub.
Jackson loves playing outside. He acquiesces to his mother’s demand that he bathe when he gets dirty since he knows that the Bath Monster’s second favorite food is dirty bath water. The implication is that dirty children are its first favorite, so Jackson is keen on keeping the monster satisfied by bathing and draining the tub. Eventually, however, he begins to doubt the Bath Monster’s existence and refuses to get into the tub. The next spread shows a filthy, clothed, and smug boy walking away with his teddy bear, unaware that underneath the floorboards, a huge, grimy Bath Monster expectantly looks at the pipe to the bathtub drain. Compelled by its hunger, the monster searches for its first favorite food. “Me?” Jackson asks looking out at the readers. The answer doesn’t come on the next page when his mother finds only the dirty teddy bear in Jackson’s bed; instead readers discover the punch line at book’s end in a note saying that Jackson left to make the Bath Monster’s first favorite food: mud pies. Throughout, Ross’ pictures of human characters (all white) channel the energy and humor of Quentin Blake’s art, and the illustrations generally help ease some choppy textual pacing.
Good, clean fun. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-5124-0426-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Andersen Press USA
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2016
Cute, but fuzzy in its message, and not memorable.
Little Archie is very brave, but could it really be true that he never cries?
A bad dream awakens orange monster Archie in the middle of the night (his teddy bear has exactly the same frightened expression on its face), but he doesn't cry. He just snuggles into bed between Daddy and Mummy. When his toy boat springs a leak, when he's chased by a goat, when he falls off his swing, and even when he eats too much birthday cake, the story is the same: "Monsters may roar, may growl or just sigh, / But monsters are strong, monsters don't cry!" Archie also gets stuck in a tree, lost in a maze, scared by a bee during a picnic and dizzy after riding his tricycle in circles, and still there are no tears. But when his hug causes Teddy's head to come off, Archie's brave front crumbles, and the tears come. Luckily, Mummy and Daddy are right there to fix things. "Monsters may roar, may growl or just sigh, / But monsters need love if ever they cry." McKee's verse is accessible, and his repeated refrain properly catchy. Burfoot's pictures, in watercolor and colored pencils, are eye-poppingly bright and full of funny touches; Teddy is depicted in every adventure as Archie's Mini-Me, probably the book’s strongest feature.
Cute, but fuzzy in its message, and not memorable. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-84939-291-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Andersen Press USA
Review Posted Online: Aug. 28, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2012
Goodhearted, if silly.
How can the little vampire enjoy the beach with his friends?
Asiago lives in a castle with his great-uncle Gouda. He likes to play his accordion and swing from a rope, and at night he turns into a bat. When his friend Wendy calls to invite him to the beach, he really isn't sure what a beach is. But he finds an old bathing suit (with cool purple stripes) and is ready to go. Asiago's fun is short-lived: He turns bright red in the sizzling sun, which even sets his ears to smoking. Wendy rescues him with her beach umbrella, but he can't really play, and he gets a splinter from the dock (almost as dangerous as a stake) and a stomach ache from the clams she gives him to eat (all he really likes is garlic). At home, Asiago can't help thinking about his not-so-great day at the beach. Wendy and his other friends save the day with a great idea; they surprise Asiago in his coffin and return with him to the beach... at night. McHeffey's clean colored-pencil illustrations add style and mirth to his simple tale of friendship. His characterization and plotting, however, leave something to be desired. Adults will wonder why these vampires are named for cheeses, and children will wonder how the nocturnal vampire managed to make human friends?
Goodhearted, if silly. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: April 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7614-6138-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Review Posted Online: Feb. 14, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2012
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