Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The Big Scary Monster is a furry, blue bully with a strong resemblance to Gossamer, the orange Looney Tunes creature. He regularly scares the little animals who live on his mountaintop, but when he hatches a plan to terrorize the animals further below, he discovers that though they look small from the top, they're actually quite large: "The Big Scary Monster had never felt so small and scared in his life." Docherty's polished landscapes also recall classic animation, with solid shadows and artful play with perspective. The monster's comeuppance and Grinchlike redemption offer a satisfying if slightly treacly conclusion. Ages 3-5. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Big Scary Monster lives on top of a mountain and loves to jump out and surprise everyone with a cry of "Boo!" His friends begin hiding from him and he decides to look for new creatures to frighten. "So, off he went down the mountain. But as he walked, a strange thing happened." The rocks, plants, and creatures become bigger, and he starts to feel small and vulnerable. After he gets scared by a huge rabbit that looms over him, shouting, "Boo!" he scurries back up the mountain, where he is startled by his old friends. Grateful to see them again, he forgets all about being big and threatening. The full-spread watercolor illustrations in deep colors add to the "scary" element of the story. As the Big Scary Monster is traveling down the mountain or up, the art is minimal, showing just the character and the rocks and plants on a white background. The style of these pictures will give young readers an early lesson in perspective. Great as a read-aloud, this book will engage young monster lovers.-Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
The titular monster, big and blue, lives on a mountaintop. He gets his kicks from scaring the smaller animals with a resounding "Boo!" The monster travels to the lowlands expecting to frighten some other creatures, but he learns a lesson in perspective--both visual and psychological--when the small-looking critters get bigger the closer he gets. Docherty's exaggerated illustrations satisfactorily picture the slight tale. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Big Scary Monster, a square of blue hair with large hands and googly eyes, lives on a mountaintop. He knows he's the largest, scariest creature around. He likes to hide, and when the little animals who live around him least expect it, he leaps out to holler BOO! Soon the little animals learn to hide, and BSM gets bored without anyone to scare. He spies more little creatures down in the valley, but something strange happens on his way down: The rocks and plants get larger the farther he goes. In the valley, the animals are huge! When he least expects it, the boulder he's hiding behind (a rabbit) turns to holler BOO! He returns home scared, sad and lonely...thank goodness, the little creatures know just what a bummed-out BSM needs. Brit Docherty, shortlisted for the Greenaway Medal last year, offers this traditional turnabout tale with added monster silliness. The cartoon watercolor-and-ink illustrations never approach scary. Best read to younger, less-questioning, more-elastic minds; older audiences will wonder just what gives with the odd shift in perspective. (Picture book. 2-4)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
