Fang-tastic fare for young monsters.
Alphabetically arranged monsters show off their social graces.
Debut author Yates asserts that as monsters have been around for thousands of years, they must have learned good manners in that time. A tan-skinned, dark-haired tot clad in a monster pajama onesie has been invited to a Monster Bash. The unseen narrator reassures the youngster (and readers) that monsters are polite and respectful, beginning with aliens, the boogeyman, and a cyclops. Each page spotlights one fabled creature, with the featured letter rendered in a larger, colorful font. In Yates’ descriptions of etiquette, clever wordplay abounds. Mummies, for instance, “never moan and groan, especially when it is time to wrap up the fun.” And the cyclops “keeps calm when he doesn’t see eye to eye" with others. The cunning trickery carries into Kozak’s illustrations as well. When the narrator notes that “ghosts respect privacy,” Kozak shows a transparent being knocking on a restroom door. After a “KNOCK-KNOCK,” Frankenstein wonders aloud, “Who’s there?” Youngsters may not get all the jokes, but adults will appreciate the nods to various mythical creatures. Since it is a Monster Bash, colorful balloons, fun drinks with twisty straws, and party bunting surround the creatures, diminishing any fright.
Fang-tastic fare for young monsters. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2026
ISBN: 9798341900721
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Beaming Books
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An accessible entrance into the world of social-emotional skills.
What do you do when the world turns upside down?
Freckled redhead Tilda is a happy only child with a rollicking personality. With lots of books and toys and a multiracial group of friends, life is perfect as far as she’s concerned…until her world undergoes a troubling change (a subtle hint in the illustrations suggests that Tilda’s parents have divorced). Suddenly, nothing feels right, everything seems hard, and she doesn’t want to play with her friends. To reflect this emotional disorientation, the artwork shows Tilda in spatially distorted settings, complete with upside-down objects. It’s not until she sees an upturned ladybug struggle persistently before getting back on its feet (despite Tilda’s desire to help, the ladybug needs to help itself) that Tilda gains the courage to start taking baby steps in order to cope with her new reality. There are still challenges, and she needs to persevere, but eventually, she regains her zest for life and reconnects with her friends. Despite this, the ending avoids an easy happily-ever-after, which feels just right for the subject matter. Though a trifle didactic, the story sends an important message about the roles of self-efficacy and persistence when it comes to overcoming challenges and building resilience. Percival’s digital illustrations use transitions from grayscale to color to create symbolic meaning and have psychological depth, deftly capturing a child’s experience of trauma.
An accessible entrance into the world of social-emotional skills. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5476-0822-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Dec. 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2022
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