10/14/2013
“In a world of cute, fluffy things” it’s “pretty darn hard” to be a monster. Bright’s hero is determined to find a soul mate, but keeps running into dead ends—a monster costume in a shop window, his own reflection in a pond. Just when he’s ready to give up, he notices that the bus driver is just his type. First published in the U.K., Bright’s underdog story is overly familiar, and her pink, googly-eyed main character is—contrary to the narration—almost undeniably cute, throwing his outcast status out the window. Still, Bright has a brisk but sympathetic voice that’s appealingly British, and her visual pacing is impeccable. Like the monster itself, this story wears its heart very visibly. Ages 2–4. (Dec.)

You might have noticed that everyone loves kittens, and puppies and bunnies. You know, cute, fluffy things," remarks the chatty narrator of Love Monster, a winning picture book by Rachel Bright. The world's affection for cuteness makes it tough for the funny-looking, 'slightly hairy' title character who yearns for love and acceptance. Ms. Bright uses a style of printmaking that yields coarse black lines, which she has filled in with color to evoke the Love Monster's feelings of both despondency and hope as he searches the (frustratingly cute) world for a kindred spirit. With the Monster, as with many a lonely soul, love arrives when he least expects it in this ultimately happy excursion for 2- to 5-year-olds.” —The Wall Street Journal

“...Bright has a brisk but sympathetic voice that's appealingly British, and her visual pacing is impeccable. Like the monster itself, this story wears its heart very visibly.” —Publishers Weekly

“Scarily good!” —Kirkus Reviews

“Like the main characters in Mo Willems' Leonardo, the Terrible Monster (2005) and Tammi Sauer's Mostly Monsterly (2010), Monster's appearance doesn't match his sensitive disposition, and he yearns for someone to love him "just the way he is." Bright's rough-textured print technique—think degraded photocopy suits our scruffy little hero to a T, while the bright, saturated color palette of reds and purples against pale and pretty backgrounds reflects his optimistic nature.” —Booklist

“Sweet.” —School Library Journal

Living in a world of cute, furry things is not easy for a “little bit funny-looking” monster. Everybody loves kittens, puppies, and bunnies—but no one loves a slightly hairy googly-eyed monster. Monster decides to embark on a journey to find someone who will love him just as he is. He looks high and low, inside and outside, and elsewhere. His search does not go well, and then it gets dark and scary. Thoroughly dejected, Monster gives up and heads for the bus stop so he can return home. But all changes in the blink of an eye when he sees the bus driver. She is a monster just like him. It is love at first sight. Most young readers will agree that Monster is quite cute in his own way. They will be rooting for him throughout his heart-breaking adventures and take joy in his newfound love. Large, colorful illustrations and an uplifting message make this a good story time choice. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.; Ages 4 to 6.

11/01/2013
PreS-Gr 1—Monster is funny-looking, slightly hairy, and googly-eyed. It doesn't help that he lives in a world of fluffy bunnies and cuddly kittens that the human children favor. Distraught, he decides to find someone to love him. After several dead ends, love finally finds him, and the two monsters walk off into the sunset holding hands. The story is sweet but somewhat bland. It is supported by a jaunty typeface and bright, cartoonlike illustrations with thick black lines.—Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA

2013-10-01
Monster lives in Cutesville, where he feels his googly eyes make him unlovable, especially compared to all the "cute, fluffy" kittens, puppies and bunnies. He goes off to find someone who will appreciate him just the way he is…with funny and heartwarming results. A red, scraggly, pointy-eared, arm-dragging monster with a pronounced underbite clutches his monster doll to one side of his chest, exposing a purplish blue heart on the other. His oversized eyes express his loneliness. Bright could not have created a more sympathetic and adorable character. But she further impresses with the telling of this poor chap's journey. Since Monster is not the "moping-around sort," he strikes out on his own to find someone who will love him. "He look[s] high" from on top of a hill, and "he look[s] low" at the bottom of the same hill. The page turn reveals a rolling (and labeled) tumbleweed on a flat stretch. Here "he look[s] middle-ish." Careful pacing combines with dramatic design and the deadpan text to make this sad search a very funny one. When it gets dark and scary, he decides to head back home. A bus's headlights shine on his bent figure. All seems hopeless--until the next page surprises, with a smiling, orange monster with long eyelashes and a pink heart on her chest depicted at the wheel. And "in the blink of a googly eye / everything change[s]." This seemingly simple tale packs a satisfying emotional punch. Scarily good! (Picture book. 4-7)