FICTION

What Makes a Monster?: Discovering the World's Scariest Creatures

by Jess KEATING
illus. by David DeGrand. 40p. glossary. photos. Knopf. Aug. 2017. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780553512304.
COPY ISBN
Gr 1–4—Keating and DeGrand (Pink Is for Blobfish) have teamed up again to deliver more wacky animal facts. This time around, Keating warns readers about 17 monsters with cautionary advice ranging from "don't dine with the vampire bat" to "look out for the Humboldt squid." The creatures include the death stalker scorpion, with its predatory pincers and stinging tail, and the Komodo dragon, with its toxic proteins. The final creature is man. Bright photos and bold cartoon illustrations make the scary beasts seem less intimidating. On each spread, two paragraphs explain why the animal is so threatening, and a sidebar highlights general information. Readers are invited to see how creatures from the book compare with famous monsters and to decide for themselves what qualifies as monstrous.
VERDICT A great addition for collections where horror and animal fans dominate.
Reviewed by Emily Bayci, Naperville Public Library-Naper Boulevard Library, IL
This tongue-in-cheek yet informative survey examines a diverse range of "scary" creatures, from scorpions and sharks to fungi and humans. Each entry provides a brief description, a sidebar of basic facts, a close-up photograph in the wild, and a cartoon illustration. The spooky theme dramatizes a thoughtful look at how these species' frightening qualities help ensure their survival. Discussion questions are included. Glos.
 , Jul 01, 2017

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