I Love You, Little Monster

by Ellen Weiss, Alli Arnold (Illustrator)

Overview

In this humorous board book, a parent’s little monster can do no wrong.

Mama always loves her Little Monster, even when he is being quite the monster. A lullaby for every mother with nerves of steel, this sweet, funny read-aloud gem sings to the joys of a rambunctious child with a mind of his own.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442428508
Publisher:	Little Simon
Publication date:	01/03/2012
Pages:	16
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 7.30(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	1 - 3 Years

About the Author

Ellen Weiss is the author of many books for children, including Whatever You Do, I Love You, for Little Simon. She has also written extensively for children's television, and she lives in New York.

Alli Arnold debuts on the Little Simon list with fresh illustrations with a humorous angle. She created the Barney's New York baby logo and illustrated the Bergdorf Goodman Little BG catalog and has specialized in fashion illustration (her children will be well dressed in this book). In 2007, she illustrated a special gift card for Target. She lives in New York.

Editorial Reviews

A sandy-haired boy is nicknamed Little Monster by his mother, and he dresses the part, donning green monster slippers, polka-dotted bat wings, a fuzzy green tail, and a pair of antennae. He acts it, too, painting with oatmeal on the wall and sneaking out the dog door. His mother, though, doesn’t mind, encouraging his creative explorations: “Who’s my bravest little monster,/ Little Monster, monster mine?/ You have caverns to explore/ and lofty mountaintops to climb.” Arnold uses color sparingly—only the boy, his accoutrements, and his stuffed monster are colored in; everything else, including his mother, are simple b&w outlines, emphasizing his centrality. Weiss and Arnold convey the joy of rowdy child’s play with the keen perception of a loving and watchful guardian. Ages 1–4. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

A mother shines a sunny light on her babe's rambunctious behavior. She highlights her "little monster's" admirable qualities even as her toddler rampages through their home with boundless energy. "You have caverns to explore and lofty mountains to climb," she says indulgently as he poses atop the upside-down laundry basket, clothes strewn about. The relaxed mama's parenting style, expressed in structured, rhythmic rhymes, is unfalteringly laidback, even when her little one smears oatmeal on the wall. "Who's my HUNGRY little monster, / Little Monster, monster mine? / Such an artist with your food! / Your oatmeal paintings are so fine." Thin black lines outline details on the white background; only "the monster" and his monster toy are colored in. There's a little adult irony; the exhausted parents protect themselves with pillows as their tot jumps on their bed. With polka-dot wings, flippers, a scarf tail and antennae, he is pretty cute. This rowdy little one is likable enough, but he is no Max, and many parents may think his mother is a lunatic. (Board book. 1-3)

Kirkus Reviews