FICTION

The Little Shop of Monsters

by R.L. STINE
illus. by Marc Brown. 40p. Little, Brown. 2015. Tr $17. ISBN 9780316369831. LC 2013046319.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 3—In Stine's first picture book, an unseen narrator provides a tour of a pet shop stocked full of monsters. The spooky travelogue is peppered with slightly sinister asides, such as "I hope they don't break the glass, jump out, and EAT you. (Would that spoil your day?)." Among the beasts eager to share your home is "Bubble-Belly Billy," a greedy-eyed, long-clawed snacker who is surrounded by bones and apple cores. "Yucky" and "Mucky" are phlegmy, green twins who like to stick together. With Venus Flytrap-like pinchers, "Squeezer" and "Teaser" pass the time by playing monster games. Brown's detailed mixed-media illustrations bring these crazy creatures, who gaze out directly at readers, to life.
VERDICT Frightfully funny. Children will scream for repeated visits to The Little Shop of Monsters.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
Reviewed by until the clever twist at the end, which will have readers quickly turning the last page (“Phew! You just escaped!”). Stine’s direct-address text is pitched for delicious thrills and chills, while Brown’s cheery palette and over-the-top depictions of the monsters offset the terror just enough. martha v. parravano
, Sep 01, 2015

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow
by Allen, Kari
BOOKS

Welcome to the Woofmore
by Gephart, Donna & Lori Haskins Houran
BOOKS

Eleven Houses
by Oakes, Colleen
BOOKS

Don’t Let the Forest In
by Drews, CG
BOOKS

Summer Nights and Meteorites
by Reynolds, Hannah
BOOKS

A Vile Season
by Ferraro, David
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?