A Not-So-Scary Monster!

August 1, 2020
Happiness is being exactly who you are. The monster in this breezy LEGO tale would agree. Its plight, as it admits to a passing human minifigure, is that it fears it's "an embarrassment to monsters everywhere" because it doesn't always want to be scary. Sometimes it wants to be happy, sad, grumpy, silly, or funny, but it believes it must always be frightening. As its new pal explains succinctly, it's perfectly fine for it to be any kind of monster and express all sides of its personality when it feels like it--including the fearsome side. After all, the human toy reasons, "You are a MONSTER. Who is going to stop you?" This cute, humorous story aims to reassure readers that emotions aren't one-dimensional; it's OK to display one's varied, true feelings. Aside from the positive, empowering message, readers' attention will be captured by vividly colored illustrations featuring bold outlines and onomatopoeic sound effects. Some art is set in colored panels; plenty of white space focuses attention on the sweet characters. The engaging dialogue is set in white type within colored speech balloons. As LEGO fans will recognize, the minifigure is a small, smiling, brown-haired, yellow-skinned toy garbed in red shirt and blue slacks. The monster is taller, composed of various bricks, and endowed with large, expressive eyes; as the story proceeds, its eyes reveal its personality shifts. A gentle monster story for the very young, appropriate for Halloween or any time. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2020) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.