  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 12/01/2014 PreS-Gr 1—A friendly naif of a monster happily greets every cloud, tree, and butterfly he encounters until he spots four pastel-colored "Bunnies!!!" and leaps after them with unabashed enthusiasm. The monster is visibly deflated when the terrified rabbits quickly disappear. More subdued, he goes on greeting forest objects until he once more runs into the foursome, with the same results. The cottontails, peeking out from trees and bushes, see the little monster's sadness and realize that he just wants to play. A satisfied monster and happy bunnies then cavort together until the monster spots… "Birdies!" The expressive cartoon characters rendered digitally in full color make this spare tale understandable for both readers and non-readers. The combination of cartoon panels and spreads creates a palpable sense of action and makes the plot easy to follow for the youngest listeners. Children will sympathize with the simple emotions of the monster and the unease of the rabbits that slowly builds toward trust, but it is the madcap action that will have them laughing with delight and asking for the book again.—Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Bulletin for the Center... - 03/01/2015 A personable little monster is wandering through the woods, greeting whatever he sees, when he spots something terrifically exciting: “BUNNIES!!!” The bunnies understandably scatter at the approach of a yelling little monster, leaving Monster bereft (“Nooooo bunnies”). The same thing happens when the bunnies reappear, but eventually the buns are moved by the little guy’s sadness and come out to play with him-until he sees a new distraction in a flock of “BIRDIES!” The minimal text (which is entirely in-art dialogue) begs to be read aloud, and even the most novice practitioner will be able to follow font cues and draw on experience for the monster’s delighted screeches and disconsolate laments. Adults (and some kids, especially those with younger sibs) will immediately recognize the monster’s bunny-scattering onslaught from toddler approaches to pets and other small animals, while youngsters will quickly rev up for loud participation in the jubilant cry of “BUNNIES!!” The digitally created art has a smooth, watercolor-type texture, with firm yet organic lines outlining the simple figures in the landscape; playfulness is the watchword throughout, with the bunnies glowing in Sweet Tart colors and the monster a big-eyed, puffball-tailed figure who’s threatening mostly because of his irresistible impulse to chase. The focused consistency of the background (collections of rhythmically vertical trees, particularly emphatic in the wide double-page spreads) and the animated expressiveness of the main events make this resemble a lively and engaging cartoon. While this is suitable for just about any readaloud occasion, you could definitely use this to bust an Easter storytime wide open, in the nicest possible way. DS - Copyright 2015 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Loading...
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