What Makes a Monster?

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 8, 2018

Review

Keating has selected 17 "monsters" to highlight in this entertaining nonfiction book. Each monster has one double-page spread with a write up about what qualifies it to be included in this book, a blurb offering an interesting fact about the animal from folklore or history, and a panel of facts about the animal, including name, species name, size, diet, habitat, and predators and threats. Each spread also has one large, clear photograph of the monster and then a comic-style illustration by DeGrand that contextualizes what makes the monster scary. Choosing this comedic style shows the reality, but softens it (zombie ants marching in a row for the cordyceps fungus or a scorpion stinging another insect with a menacing grin on its face). A table of contents would be welcome as there is no way to know which animals are included without flipping through the entire book and, while that is probably preferred by the author and publisher (and a librarian), it is appreciated by the user and good form in a nonfiction book to include one. There is a glossary of terms at the end. The writing style, book size, photo selection, and cover are all excellent and make it a welcome addition to a children's or elementary library collection with animal-loving readers.

Overall Book Score: very good