THE HUNGRY MONSTER
by Phyllis Root & illustrated by Sue Heap
When a rocket descends to Earth, out steps a very hungry monster in search of something fit to eat. The monster tries a daisy, a rock, and a tree, each one resulting in a giant ``YUCK!'' A small girl in the ravenous monster's path resourcefully appeases it with a banana, peel and all. The pudgy dragon-of-a-monster with zig-zag ears, blue arms, and brightly colored scales is made funnier and friendlier by its blue Mary Janes and a fork-and-spoon necklace. Bold letters emphasize the monster's alternating refrains of ``YUM!'' and ``YUCK!'' that are certain to be mimicked by young children. Root (Mrs. Potter's Pig, 1996, etc.) uses very few words to tell this silly story that includes a dash of suspense; it's a just-right read-aloud for board-book graduates. (Picture book. 2-4)