Both cute and creepy; for those seeking relief from unrelieved sweetness in their children's books.
Some parents are blind to the faults of their beloved babies.
Mr. and Mrs. Deer are desperate for a baby to love and cuddle and read stories to. One morning they find a roaring bundle on their doorstep: their dream come true! Mr. Deer thinks the baby looks peculiar—it's bright blue, with a lot of sharp teeth—but Mrs. Deer won't hear a word of it. The hungry baby won't eat cheese or toast or vegetables. The Deers ask Uncle Duncan, a purple owl, for advice; Duncan declares that the baby needs warm milk. The Deers heat some in the kitchen, and when they return, Duncan is gone. The same mysterious mishap occurs when the Deers consult Aunt Agnes, a cute blue bunny, for advice on changing baby, and go to Dr. Fox to see if baby is sick. Granny Bear saves the day when she lifts the baby firmly to burp it. She pats and pats and pats, triggering an enormous eruption that unleashes green food bits...and the three missing animal advisors! Grandma Bear declares that it's a "Monster!" Puttock's fractured fairy tale unfolds with measured mirth, and all of Shireen's digitally depicted creatures are adorable, even the little monster.
Both cute and creepy; for those seeking relief from unrelieved sweetness in their children's books. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5903-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Share this with those looking for a benign Halloween story or for those children who always resist bedtime.
“Avery never liked bedtime, and she liked it even less on Halloween when all the monsters were out.”
Fearful that monsters may be in her closet or under her bed, Avery sneaks back downstairs after her mother tucks her in. Her mother humors her daughter by offering logical answers to her litany of queries. In between working on the computer and washing dishes, Mom states that werewolves sleep in dens, ghosts settle down in “big haunted mansions,” witches “go to bed the moment their potions are brewed,” mummies rest in coffins, skeletons snooze in empty closets, and vampires get their shut-eye during the daytime. White dialogue bubbles contain most of the back and forth but switch to conventionally set text when the explanation is placed on a page without the speaker. Marts’ illustrations mix cartoonlike characters (the monsters are particularly friendly-looking) set against textured backgrounds in appropriately moody hues of dark blues, purples, browns, and green. Observant readers will enjoy spotting Avery’s cuddly cat in each spread—and they will be tickled by the gently surprising ending that proves Avery’s fears aren’t quite so imaginary after all.
Share this with those looking for a benign Halloween story or for those children who always resist bedtime. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-62370-256-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2015
After one reading, the party is over—pass.
A cuddly, lime-green monster gets ready for a bash.
“Come to Max’s Monster Party. There’s GOO-LICIOUS food to eat! / It’s creepy-crawly, stinky fun—don’t miss the SCARY treat!” A bright-eyed group of smiling monsters, some with rounded front teeth, one with glasses, and another with an eye patch, comes through the door bearing gifts. Presents are opened, the magician entertains, the bouncy castle “sprays out gunk,” and the monsters take part in the “stinky breath contest.” Then it is time to blow out the “earwax candles” on the “eyeball birthday cake.” Once all the festivities draw to a close, not only do the attendees get to sample the titular dragon jelly—a “scrumptious, sizzling treat”—but each monster also gets a goody bag with a small, red, fire-breathing dragon to take home as a pet. Freedman’s rhyming text matches the rollicking party action, while Hendra and Linnet choose a festive, neon pastel palette set against a black background to make the festivities truly pop. Bouncy though the book is, it’s hard to imagine that the overcrowded field of birthday books really needs another. Without a plot, this benign offering, even with the charming monsters, fails to stand out.
After one reading, the party is over—pass. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: July 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-6196-3682-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2015
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
