When a monster is born, there are two possibilities... each episode in this comical story presents a choice between absurd alternatives ("Either it sits quietly and does its homework . . . or it eats the Principal"), followed by an equally absurd--and frequently unexpected-- outcome ("If it sites quietly, that's that. But if it eats the Principal, there are two possibilities..."). A subversive and satisfying take on "What if . . . ?" illustrated in bright pick-me-up colors, When a Monster is Born will have readers imagining unlikely stories of their own--and laughing out loud.
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1—Fittingly, this book's large size, dramatic black backgrounds, and bold colors leap off the page at readers, just like a monster jumping out of a closet. Based on a traditional Brazilian poem, the story looks at the many possibilities created by the birth of a monster: "either it's a faraway-in-the-forests monster, or…it's an under-your-bed monster." For each set of choices there is a dead-end option ("If it eats you, that's that."), and an option that leads to two more possibilities. Following a series of wild twists, in which a principal is eaten and a kitchen girl dumps porridge on a monster's head, the tale comes full circle to the birth of a new monster and the original set of possibilities. Bright colors and a wild variety of fonts burst out from each page, and the potential scariness of the monster is tempered by its round body, buck teeth, and fuzzy hair. Various colors, textured fabrics, and other materials fill in the cartoon line drawings. Tiny leaves create the bushes and grass, the monster's hair is full of swirls, and the porridge contains lumps. With its zany humor, skillful timing of page turns, and over-the-top story line, this is an engaging tale that children will respond to and request again and again.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
More slapstick than scary, this monster picture book, the author's debut, is a deliciously silly, circular tale. "When a monster is born . . . there are two possibilities—either it's a FARAWAY-IN-THE-FORESTS monster, or it's an UNDER-YOUR-BED monster." So begins the text, which continues on in a similar format, posing the outcomes of two alternatives: "If it's a FARAWAY-IN-THE-FORESTS monster, that's that. But if it's an UNDER-YOUR-BED monster, there are two possibilities." What happens when the monster comes to school, eats the principal, wanders into town, and falls in love? He becomes the parent of a baby monster, who may grow up to be an under-your-bed monster, and the story starts again. The words have the rhythm of a chant, and kids will want to shout out the "that's that" refrain. Sharratt's neon-toned artwork, which has the look of computer-generated collage, features a furry, round, lime-green monster, whose pink horns and buck teeth make an endearingly goofy star. Bright, funny, and interactive, this is just the thing for a sugared-up, restless story-hour crowd. Engberg, Gillian
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
When you visit the book store...,
By
This review is from: When a Monster Is Born (Hardcover)
There are two possibilities.
Either you wander aimlessly until you get bored and leave, or something on the shelf strikes you and you stop to take a look. If you get bored and leave, that's that, but if you stop to take a look there are two possibilities. Either you pick it up and start flipping through the pages, or a tiny toddler named Stuart kicks you in the leg and demands you give him the book in your hands. If Stuart kicks you, that's that, but if you start flipping through the pages there are two possibilities. Either the book fails to impress or the book is entitled `When a Monster is Born' and you find yourself gleefully anticipating how your own child is going to react to this gloriously hilarious book. If you're not impressed, that's that, but if the book happens to be `When a Monster is Born' there are two possibilities. Either you decide to wait and bring your child back so he/she can see the book for themselves, or you decide to just buy it because you just KNOW they are going to love it. If you decide to wait, that's that (I mean, what are the chances you'll actually get back out to the store anytime soon?), but if you decide to just bring it home there is really only ONE possibility. You're kid is going to LOVE it! This little book is one of the cutest and funniest children's books I've had the pleasure of reading to my daughter (over and over and over again). The illustrations and the comical plot (and structure) is just a joy. This isn't scary, I mean, even the references to eating people are hilariously used and shouldn't really scare your children. By the time your kids are done reading this they'll be hoping there is a monster under their bed, if only to take him to show and tell!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Three Silly Chicks Review,
This review is from: When a Monster Is Born (Hardcover)
Reviewed by Three Silly Chicks - Readers, Writers, and Reviewers of funny books for kids.
When a monster is born, there are two possibilities-- Either it's a faraway-in-the-forests monster, or it's an under-your-bed monster. If it's a faraway-in-the-forests monster, that's that. But if it's an under-your-bed monster... Well, you'll just have to see for yourself what an under-your-bed-monster does. All kinds of fascinating and silly things can happen when a monster is born. For instance, it can go to school with you, eat your principal, dance the boogie-woogie, or fall in love with a kitchen girl. Yes, readers, those are some of the possibilities in Sean Taylor's new crazy-fun picture book. Each page explores a choice for a monster in modern-day life and then takes it to an absurd extreme. We think this is a brilliant read aloud. Kids will have such fun guessing what that tricky monster will do next! Nick Sharratt cleverly uses a black background to reinforce the monster's more dastardly choices, reinforcing the "good choice, bad choice" theme. Bold, graphic and goofy, this book will bring a smile to little monsters everywhere!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Who cares about the kids? *I* love this book!,
By Nickers (CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: When a Monster Is Born (Hardcover)
Okay, the kids like it too :) It's cute and has a great story pattern. I like the emphasis on "that's that" and possibilities.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
If it's a FARAWAY-IN-THE-FORESTS monster, that's that. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
If it's a FARAWAY-IN-THE-FORESTS monster, that's that. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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