A CHILD’S GUIDE TO COMMON HOUSEHOLD MONSTERS

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A CHILD’S GUIDE TO COMMON HOUSEHOLD MONSTERS

Name: A CHILD’S GUIDE TO COMMON HOUSEHOLD MONSTERS
Author: James Otis Thach
ISBN: 978-1-932425-58-1

by James Otis Thach & illustrated by David Udovic ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2007

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Yup—it’s another book about a little girl making friends with the monsters who inhabit her house. One’s under the bed, of course. Another’s in the closet, as usual. Like the cellar and attic monsters, these two are more cute and colorful than scary. The rhyming text flows smoothly as it follows the girl and her cat from room to room, enumerating the monsters’ quirks and explaining why each chooses to live in a certain spot . . . each is hiding from another monster in or under the house. Attractive double-page spreads, several of which require rotating the book to view it vertically, appear to be executed in oil pastels. The varying perspectives and unusual angles help to freshen this take on a perennially popular topic, but some readers may still wonder whether the world needs yet another monster story. The answer, of course, depends on the listeners. Many of them will likely enjoy this mild adventure once, but few are likely to demand repeated readings. Don’t worry, though; there’s bound to be another like it coming out soon. Fun but forgettable. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2007

ISBN: 978-1-932425-58-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Front Street/Boyds Mills

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2007

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
THE TICKLE MONSTER IS COMING!
by James Otis Thach & illustrated by David Barneda

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TSUNAMI!

by Kimiko Kajikawa & illustrated by Ed Young ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 2009

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Through quick thinking and personal sacrifice, a wise old Japanese farmer saves the people of his village from a devastating tsunami in this simple yet striking story based on Lafcadio Hearn’s “A Living God.” Ojiisan lives in a cottage on a mountain overlooking the village and sea. One day, villagers gather to celebrate the rice harvest, but Ojiisan stays home thinking “something does not feel right.” When the earth quakes and the sea darkens and runs away from the land, Ojiisan realizes a tsunami approaches. Fearing the oblivious villagers will be swept away, Ojiisan torches his rice fields to attract attention, and they respond, barely escaping the monster wave. Rendered in gouache, pastel and collage, Young’s illustrations cleverly combine natural textures, bold colors and abstract shapes to convey compelling images of chaos and disaster as the rice fields burn and the wave rushes in. In one literally breathtaking double-page spread, an enormous wall of water engulfs the teeny seacoast village. A visually powerful and dramatic tribute to one man’s willingness to sacrifice everything for others. (Picture book. 3-5)

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-399-25006-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2008

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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THE GRUFFALO

by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Scheffler ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1999

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The action of this rhymed and humorous tale centers upon a mouse who "took a stroll/through the deep dark wood./A fox saw the mouse/and the mouse looked good." The mouse escapes being eaten by telling the fox that he is on his way to meet his friend the gruffalo (a monster of his imagination), whose favorite food is roasted fox. The fox beats a hasty retreat. Similar escapes are in store for an owl and a snake; both hightail it when they learn the particulars: tusks, claws, terrible jaws, eyes orange, tongue black, purple prickles on its back. When the gruffalo suddenly materializes out of the mouse's head and into the forest, the mouse has to think quick, declaring himself inedible as the "scariest creature in the deep dark wood," and inviting the gruffalo to follow him to witness the effect he has on the other creatures. When the gruffalo hears that the mouse's favorite food is gruffalo crumble, he runs away. It's a fairly innocuous tale, with twists that aren't sharp enough and treachery that has no punch. Scheffler's funny scenes prevent the suspense from culminating; all his creatures, predator and prey, are downright lovable. (Picture book. 3-6)