Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"Supposing there are monsters... do you think that this monster might be licking his lips and thinking about you?" writes Vere as a dopey-looking green monster with bug-eyes and a tongue hanging out of his mouth makes his way toward readers. As the monster approaches, Vere offers clues about what it might do when it arrives: "[D]o you think he'll decide you'll taste even more delicious squished and then squashed onto hot buttered toast?" Vere carefully crafts suspense as the book progresses, amping up readers' excitement and anticipation before the slobbery (but not scary) finale. Ages 3-up. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-This delightful book asks listeners to believe that monsters are real and to wonder if "this MONSTER might be licking his lips AND thinking about YOU?" They are also asked to imagine that he is on his way toward them right now and to question if "he's smiling because he remembered to pack his knife and fork?" Over the course of his journey, the monster traverses a dark forest, swamp, mountains, and a town, while maybe thinking how good listeners would be with ketchup or on toast. But after suspense builds and he turns a bedroom doorknob, kids will learn that (spoiler alert) all he wants is a big, sloppy goodnight kiss. As Vere's text ruminates on what the monster may be thinking, his illustrations depict a pea green, cartoony, large, mostly happy, not-very-bright-looking monster whose tongue hangs out of his smiling mouth and whose large eyes are open quite wide. Vere uses bright colors, thick lines, and just a little spooky darkness to convey the mood. The varied font sizes and styles add to the visual silliness and pseudo-scariness of the story. Excellent for storytime, bedtime, or anytime for all but the most easily frightened.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH (c) Copyright 2012. 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
"Do you ever wonder if somewhere, not too far away, there might be...MONSTERS?" So asks the narrator at the beginning of this scary-silly bedtime story. More questions follow, as we see the hairy green monster tromp through the forest, mud, and mountains toward a house in the city. Is he coming to eat readers up? Vere deftly uses the interplay between image and text to add humor and reassure readers that there is nothing to fear. When the narrator tells us "hes coming to find you -- RIGHT NOW," we see the goofy monster on his bicycle, tongue sticking out, wearing a red backpack. Vere expertly uses both framing and color to build up to the storys punch line. Deep purple pages with a close-up of a foot coming up the stairs, then a hand on a doorknob, create tension that is released by a page turn revealing bright yellows and pinks, red lip prints, and a slobbering monster with hearts in his eyes, eager for a "disgustingly sloppy goodnight kiss!" Energy abounds here, with jittery black lines, varied fonts, and a bold palette. The tale ends with a happy monster (and child) asleep in a bedroom, and a knowing wink to the reader, "Did you really think hed eat you up? HOW SILLY!" ashley waring (c) Copyright 2012. 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
"Do YOU ever WONDER if somewhere, not too far away, there might be / MONSTERS?" Whether readers do or not, it is hard to resist being swept up in the silly suspense of possibly becoming the target for this monster's hungry attention. A pea green, neon-pinkhorned creature with big, white eyes and a wide-open mouth with yellow stubs of teeth comes off as more ridiculous than terrifying. But the language warns of his impending approach through pointed questions: "And as he crosses the gloopy, schloopy swampdo you think he's imagining just HOW GOOD you'll taste all covered in ketchup?" Vere strikes the perfect balance of humor and thrills--so much so that readers may not know if they should be shaking with fear or laughter as the story progresses. After the monster happily rides his red bicycle through the "dark and terrible forest," "tiptoes through thorns and thistles" and "climbs up the cold and snowy mountains," getting ever closer, he arrives in town, creaks up the stairs and "opens your bedroom door" because "THIS monster wants / a disgustingly sloppy GOODNIGHT KISS!" Share this cartoonish, mock-horror tale with the not-so-sleepy at bedtime or rely upon it as a superb storytime choice where all can have fun participating in the hilarious sound effects. (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
