Monster?
by Kathy Cooke
Archway Publishing


"Mommy, If I were a monster I would have giant feet & hands and I would be enormous."

In this magical children’s book, the monsters that humans are trained to fear are transformed into creatures with admirable talents. Instead of monsters “who will drink all your blood or some nonsense like that,” young readers encounter beasts who move “with great precision.” Some of the monsters are furry and scaly, while others like to eat apples and have “big, big wings like a dragon” and “big, long sharp toenails.” These monsters might remind young readers of mythical creatures like Mothman, who occupy a dark and dangerous realm in folklore. Other monsters resemble everyday pets, like dogs, that young readers might encounter in their own lives. However, no matter what form they take, these monsters teach children about the power of accepting others for their uniqueness.

This book centers on encouraging readers to embrace their own creativity. In its pages, readers discover the prompt “If I was a monster, I would have…” This prompt quickly unlocks a world beyond the human one. The book’s colorful, eye-catching illustrations will quickly grab the attention of readers of any age. However, within the artwork and the storyline lies a deeper message about celebrating one’s talents and individuality. Therefore, this book transforms into a great tool that parents and teachers can use to teach children about the gifts that make them their own person. It also encourages young readers to consider the things “we don’t understand” and ask questions about them. The book even provides space for young readers to develop their own “If I was a monster” story that they can share with others.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review

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