Tuesday 7 June 2016
Monster in the Hood by Steve Antony (Oxford University Press / Oxford Children's Books)
Steve (The Queen's Hat, The Queen's Handbag) Antony is back with a new and fantastic book that is a read-aloud delight.
We love books that take the audience to one side and reveal a secret that slowly emerges as the book unfolds.
We start off by meeting three brave little animals. Henri the Hedgehog, Sammy Squirrel and Marvin the Mouse. They're not scared of ANYTHING so when the city's animals are all fleeing in terror from a monster, they're absolutely determined that they're going to face this beastie down and scare HIM instead.
The genius story mechanic shows the monster, way off in the distance, and builds anticipation and seat-fidgeting excitement for little ones as the monster comes closer, and closer, and closer...!
By the time the monster is but a hair's breadth away I guarantee that your little ones (if they're anything like Charlotte) will practically be hopping from one foot to another as the twist is deliciously revealed!
We're going to be mean. We're going to let you discover the story's sweet little twist on your own, as Steve's book is now out in the wilds. Track down the monster in your neighbourhood and enjoy a rip-roaring slow-burn-build of a story with such a glorious conclusion that it can't fail to impress the socks off your busy little people!
Charlotte's best bit: It was glorious to read this aloud to her, and watch her fidget as slowly the monster gets closer and closer. If that works on an 8 year old imagine what it's going to be like reading this to younger kids!
Daddy's favourite bit: I love, love, LOVE this story and the way the twist is slowly revealed (and I do love the sassy trio of main characters and their "Nothin' scares me" expressions).
(Kindly sent to us for review by Oxford University Press)
"Monster in the Hood"
Written and Illustrated by Steve Antony
Published by OUP
Publication Date: 2nd June 2016
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