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THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT MONSTERS BUILT

Name: THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT MONSTERS BUILT
Author: Steve Metzger
ISBN: 978-0-545-61112-1

by Steve Metzger ; illustrated by Jared Lee ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2016

For fans of cumulative rhymes and monsters of all sorts.

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In a “House That Jack Built” tale that exemplifies the butterfly effect, some costumed kids who shout “Trick or treat!” cause havoc at a house full of monsters.

The children wake up the vampire, who trips on his feet and stuns a witch stirring a cauldron. This spooks a ghost, “Boo!” who startles a zombie, who screams and scatters the bats. This scares the black cat, who in turn terrifies Frankie. A skeleton, a werewolf, a spider, and a mummy round out the Halloween cast. Four of these creatures are involved in actually building the house (which is more than the original rhyme). Metzger’s verses have a nice rhythm to them, and the end rhymes work, though it may take quite a few readings before children can join in. The illustrations are done in a scratchy style with black and white featuring prominently and pops of poison green and shades of purple and red. The bugged eyes, wide-open mouths with lots of sharp teeth, and evident fear make this one to share with slightly older children.

For fans of cumulative rhymes and monsters of all sorts. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: June 28, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-545-61112-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S PARANORMAL & SUPERNATURAL

- BOOK REVIEW
PRINCESS KITTY
by Steve Metzger ; illustrated by Ella Okstad

- BOOK REVIEW
WAITING FOR SANTA
by Steve Metzger ; illustrated by Alison Edgson

- BOOK REVIEW
PLUTO VISITS EARTH
by Steve Metzger & illustrated by Jared Lee

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DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE SLEIGH!

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2023

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.

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Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.

This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023

ISBN: 9781454952770

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE FRUSTRATING BOOK!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WILL RIDE THE ROLLER COASTER!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
IT'S A SIGN!
by Jarrett Pumphrey & Jerome Pumphrey with Mo Willems ; illustrated by Jarrett Pumphrey & Jerome Pumphrey

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VALENTINE'S DAY, HERE I COME!

From the Here I Come! series

by D.J. Steinberg ; illustrated by Laurie Stansfield ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 27, 2022

Effectively captures the excitement surrounding Valentine’s Day.

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A collection of poems follows a group of elementary school students as they prepare for and celebrate Valentine’s Day.

One student starts the day by carefully choosing clothing in pink, purple, or red, while a family kicks off the morning with a breakfast of red, heart-shaped pancakes. At school, children create valentines until party time finally arrives with lots of yummy treats. The students give valentines to their school friends, of course, but we also see one child making a “special delivery” to a pet, a stuffed animal, family members, and even the crossing guard. The poems also extend the Valentine’s celebration to the community park, where other couples—some older, one that appears to be same-sex—are struck by cupid’s “magical love arrows.” Note the child running away: “Blech!” Not everyone wants to “end up in love!!!” But the spread devoted to Valentine’s jokes will please readers more interested in humor than in romance and inspire children to create their own jokes. To make the celebration complete, the last pages of the book contain stickers and a double-sided “BEE MINE!” valentine that readers can, with adult help, cut out. Cheery and kid-friendly, the poems can be read independently or from cover to cover as a full story. The cartoonish illustrations include lots of hearts and emphasize the growing Valentine’s Day excitement, depicting a diverse classroom that includes students who use wheelchairs. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Effectively captures the excitement surrounding Valentine’s Day. (Picture-book poetry. 4-6)