This engaging picture book prompts young children to face their fear of monsters and take charge of the situation! The reader is prompted to tickle various parts of a monster, deconstructing the creature and repurposing his parts into a far less threatening scene. His horns become the moon, his legs and arms become trees, his nose becomes a car. . . . Slowly but surely, the monster’s shapes build a peaceful nighttime landscape. Manceau’s bold, geometric illustrations create a deceptively simple visual narrative that encourages readers to see the parts as well as the whole.
Reminiscent of Ed Emberley’s Go Away, Big Green Monster!, this book empowers the child to be brave and clever in the face of adversity.
Praise
STARRED REVIEWKirkus Reviews
"The whole is quite elegant in the execution of its dramatic design and the demonstration of how the child copes with fear independently, without calling on a parent."
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"This book has strong visual appeal with illustrations that are simple yet eye-catching. This is an effective tale about independently and creatively overcoming a fear. VERDICT A solid choice as a reassuring bedtime story... "School Library Journal
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"Throughout the story, the child’s teasing tone perfectly matches the monster’s expression as it loses more parts... This book puts children in control of fears. At the end, the narrator warns the monster if it returns, “I will tickle you again!” This well-executed and graphically appealing book invites participation and would be fun to act out. Children also could use colored pieces of paper to create (and rearrange) their own monsters."Booklist
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