I Loathe You

by David Slonim, David Slonim (Illustrator)

Overview

Unconditional loathing is monsterly love in this sweetly humorous picture book.

Just how much does Big Monster loathe Little Monster? Let it count the ways....
I loathe you more than tooth decay
More than blizzard snow in May
More than garbage in a dump
More than splinters in my rump
No matter what, through thick and thin, I loathe you there and back again!
Author and illustrator David Slonim depicts a tender, tongue-in-cheek celebration of a very special kind of loa...er, love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442422445
Publisher:	Aladdin
Publication date:	12/18/2012
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 12.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

David Slonim is the author and illustrator of He Came with the Couch, a 2006 Bright Horizons Top Three Books of the Year selection; Oh, Ducky; and I Loathe You. He has illustrated more than fifteen other books, including Moishe’s Miracle by Laura Krauss Melmed, which was named one of the top ten children’s books of 2000 by The New York Times. He lives in Indiana with his wife and their four children.

David Slonim is the author and illustrator of He Came with the Couch, a 2006 Bright Horizons Top Three Books of the Year selection; Oh, Ducky; and I Loathe You. He has illustrated more than fifteen other books, including Moishe’s Miracle by Laura Krauss Melmed, which was named one of the top ten children’s books of 2000 by The New York Times. He lives in Indiana with his wife and their four children.

Editorial Reviews

This forked-tongue-in-cheek parody pokes fun at the "I love you more" genre as Big Monster and Little Monster debate who detests the other more. "I loathe you more than slimy rats,/ more than frostbite, skunks, or bats" the elder monster assures its offspring. "More than fuzzy mold on cheese,/ more than fever or disease!" Working in acrylic and charcoal, Slonim (It's a Dog's Life) revels in the mucky, smelly scenarios his fuzzy horned monsters envision, whether it's Big Monster lying "sunburned, red and sore" on an inflatable raft or the two sharing a meal atop a garbage heap. Slonim's artwork tends to be literal, though, picturing every small detail mentioned. Like the books it mocks, this one includes a moment of self-doubt: Little Monster wonders if good behavior might cause Big Monster's loathing to fade: "What if I stop chewing chairs, or bouncing goldfish down the stairs?" Even as Slonim studiously avoids all things saccharine, readers will recognize the affection between the two characters and enjoy poring over the comically unpleasant details in Slonim's labor of loathe. Ages 4–7. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

This full-of-loathing story is a welcome twist on the often saccharine how-much-do-you-love-me genre. Slonim substitutes the word "loathe" for "love" and truly runs with it. His characters are two amiable horned monsters. The younger orange one quizzes the older and bigger creature about its true feelings. Just how much does it really loathe the little one? The rhyming text rollicks along: "I loathe you more than chicken pox, / more than stinky, sweaty socks. / More than garbage in a dump, / or splinters sticking in my rump. / Mosquito bites? I loathe them, yes, / But next to you, a whole lot less." As the monsters sling increasingly gross and endearingly disgusting claims of loathsomeness, readers will alternately screech with "ewws" and laughter as they pore over the hilarious cartoon illustrations executed in acrylics with charcoal. At one point the monster child becomes a little quiet and wonders, "But what if I goof up someday, / or if my warts all fade away? / If I blurt out ‘THANKS,' or ‘PLEASE'? / Or take a bath and kill my fleas? / If I should slip and just obey / then would your loathing go away?" Of course, the grown monster reassures his young one, as all good parents do. "Nice or nasty, kind or mean, / I loathe you up, down, and between." Share this silly and satisfying title with all little monsters. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews