Yuck! That's Not a Monster!

PreS-Gr 1—Mr. and Mrs. Monster's hatchlings include a green son, Frightful, and purple daughter, Horrid, who have their parents' lumpy, horned, clawed, and grimacing features. The last egg contains Little Shock. His pink fur, round blue eyes, and gentle nature are abominations to the family. His siblings try to teach him to scratch, hiss, and attack, but "cutie-pie" remains cuddly and kind. These negative attributes save the day, however, when the more aggressive toddlers accidentally awaken a full-spread red monster whose anger melts to anguish when Little Shock kisses him. The large format and brightly colored cartoons lend themselves well to group sharing. Edgson's monsters are like plush toys with coy expressions, more funny than fierce. McAllister offers fresh descriptions touched with humor. Regarding the eggs: "Mr. Monster kept them warm by huffing with his hot, stinky breath." "Mrs. Monster screeched to them." Youngsters exploring irony will be fans of this story.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA