Source: Sterling Children’s Books
Hardcover, 32 pgs.
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Mind Your Monsters by Catherine Bailey, illustrated by Oriol Vidal, has a modern style of illustration that brings neighborhoods to life, even as the monsters surface from behind buildings. These monsters are wreaking havoc in town, terrorizing parents and children. From zombies and vampire bats to one-eyed and furry monsters, people are unsure how to handle these monsters and their destruction. Turned over cars, chewed up mailboxes, and more. Parents are scared for themselves and their children, and without a solution in sight, they are prepared to leave town.
Wally decides that he’s going to take a different approach. He’s going to talk to them. When that doesn’t work, he throws his sister at the monsters because he considers her evil enough to fight them — or so it is implied. He employs other tactics, using tricks and treats, lollipops, and more. When the parents make the decision to leave, their escape is blocked by a giant ogre. Everyone is fearful and wants to run, but there is no escape and no where to run to. Wally, in a desperate plea, asks them to please stop terrorizing the town. Through the use of his manners, he’s able to get through to the monsters. The monsters stop making messes and begin to cleanup.
Mind Your Monsters by Catherine Bailey, illustrated by Oriol Vidal, is a colorful and fun way to introduce the idea of using manners to children. There’s the promise of more fun when the monsters agree to return again. Most little kids know that “Please” is considered the magic word, and this book plays with that knowledge. It demonstrates that manners are important in communicating with adults, monsters, and others. The one thing missing from this story is the use of “Thank You.”