Quit Calling Me a Monster

Reviewed by: Melissa Madigan MB - Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 12, 2016

Review

This is a humorous book about fuzzy purple creature who resents being called a monster, despite all of the obvious evidence that he quite likely is one. He begins the book by making his case - that just because he has horns, wild eyes, clompy feet, long toenails, crazy hair, fangs, and a "huge toothy smile that glows in the dark" does not mean he should be called a "monster." He continues to claim why it is wrong to categorize him as such, even though he "roars, whoops, cackles, hollers, and screams," not to mention hides in all the places any given child might suspect a monster to be hiding. The text also makes really great use of positional words this way, as he hides in the back of the closet, under the bed, behind the shower curtain, and in the glove compartment - always with a claw or fang exposed, of course. The illustrations complement the text nicely, giving it an added element of humor; at one point during his discourse, he claims that it's not his fault if he lets a claw slip out or growls in his sleep, and that "you should see you when you sleep" (complete with a picture of a drooling, green-faced child making all sorts of silly, snorty noises in her sleep). Perhaps his best assertion is that it hurts his feelings when people call him a monster - a nice lesson for children that deals with elements of bullying/labeling others and reinforces the importance of empathy. The funniest part of the book is when he formally introduces himself by his actual name, Floyd Peterson, and proceeds to hide in a child's closet. When the child expresses his worry that there be a "monster" in there, his dad replies - very casually - "No, son, it's just Floyd Peterson." (I laughed out loud at this bit.) Kids anywhere from PreK - 3rd would enjoy this story, and it would be especially entertaining as a read-aloud. Great addition to any picture book collection.

Overall Book Score: excellent