A Monster in the House - Softcover

PreSchool-Grade 2-The age-old subject of a new baby in the house is deftly handled in this winning combination of lively art and childlike text. The story begins as a young girl observes a new family moving in next door and spies a potential playmate in a boy attired in a monster costume. In response to a query from her new neighbor about playing monster with him, she answers, "Not at my house-the real monster's sleeping." Thus, the girl's web of hyperbole and deception captures the imagination of her new friend. The boy's initial interest changes to horrified fascination as his new friend describes a roaring, messy, drooling, poopy, hair-pulling creature that spits up everywhere and sucks on everything. The illustrations are the author's trademark blend of bright paintings and mixed-media collage. Varied layouts are particularly effective in conveying the mood of the story as smaller images early in the narrative give way to larger spreads as the boy imagines all manner of monster mayhem. The beast reaches delightfully horrible and gargantuan proportions until it's revealed that he is actually little, soft, and cuddly. The cherubic infant is introduced as he is greeted by his older sister with an affectionate, "Hi, monster." This charming twist on a popular subject is appropriate for both lap and group sharing.
Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Kleven (The Puddle Pail, 1997, etc.) offers up a kid's-eye perspective on the amazing tumult created by a baby in the house. A young girl regales her new neighbor, who is wearing his favorite monster suit, with tales of the monster that resides in her home. Her stories of a food-guzzling, attention-demanding, mess-making creature liberate the boy's imagination, reflected in the illustrations. Kleven adeptly magnifies the chaotic qualities of babies to a comical degree; as the true nature of the monster is revealed, as well as the girl's affection for him, the boy's imaginings of a formidable beast gradually evolve into the picture of small, smiling baby monster. Patches of text, appearing at angles and in different colors to represent the various speakers, successfully convey the rhythm of conversation. The scenes are busy and invite discovery: a monster mobile above the crib, the ``Vitamin M monster milk, certified impure,'' and the ``Monster Muck Remover'' for diaper changes. The vivid drawings are overlaid with a variety of collage materials, such as yarn hair for the monster's body, bits of doilies for curtains, marbled paper for wood veneers. A wondrously silly tall tale with grandly domestic origins; expect laughter as readers grasp the truth of the monster's identity. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.