Monsters

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Brilliant and hilarious, full of monsters and disbelieving grown-ups - this is an irresistible Hoban and Blake classic, back in print at last.From the inimitable duo of Russell Hoban and Quentin Blake, the pair behind the hilarious tales of Captain Najork, this is the story of John, who likes to draw monsters. Lots of them. Red monsters, yellow monsters, scaly monsters, furry monsters, even invisible monsters. Nothing but monsters! His mum and dad are beginning to worry. Then one day John starts a monster drawing that fills up a whole sheet of wrapping paper - and that's just the tip of the tail! Will this be his biggest monster ever? Or even ... how long will it remain just a drawing?

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

John spends most of his time drawing monsters of all shapes, sizes and colors, and his parents are worried. When their son begins devoting himself to a master project--drawing parts of a ``serious'' monster on big sheets of brown wrapping paper--Mom and Dad pay a visit to John's teacher. He seems to think that there's no cause for concern, since ``boys are naturally a bit monstrous.'' Unappeased, the couple then consults a doctor, who wants to have a little chat with John. The doctor makes the mistake of providing the boy with more wrapping paper and markers so that he can finish his masterpiece. It soon becomes clear that John's passion for drawing has grown to monstrous proportions and that his parents' fears were justified. Hoban and Blake bring John's monsters to life in this subtly wicked story, which may give imaginative youngsters a specific--and horrific--goal. Ages 6-9. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

School Library Journal Review

John likes to draw scary monsters. When he appears to be starting a drawing of a particularly large one (the tail alone fills an entire sheet of wrapping paper), his parents become concerned. Mr. Splodge, the art teacher, thinks John's drawings are first-rate. Dr. Plunger takes the matter lightly at first, allowing John to finish the drawing. From the waiting room, his mother and father hear a noise like ``two or three heavy metal rock bands all playing at once.'' John emerges quite content, and readers glimpse claws and eyeballs just behind the door. While adults may find this a rather gruesome ending for unsuspecting Dr. Plunger, youngsters will find the story quite satisfying and will undoubtedly relate to John's preoccupation with monsters. Children will return again and again to Blake's childlike drawings complete with monsters eating, zapping, and clobbering each other. The remainder of the humorous ink and watercolor illustrations effectively characterize the concerned parents and their seemingly innocent child. An offbeat, sophisticated story reminiscent of the Zemachs' The Judge (Farrar, 1969) or one of Roald Dahl's zany cautionary tales. --Pearl Herscovitch, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Ages 6-9. John's penchant for drawing fierce, violent monsters, some "so monstrous they had to be invisible so they wouldn't scare themselves to death," really concerns his parents. When he begins a large, serious drawing, his parents consult Dr. Plunger, who supplies numerous sheets of paper and felt tips so John can finish his creation--and a monstrous creation it is! Hoban explores children's imaginative play with humor and wit while gently lampooning the parents' leap to psychoanalysis. The ink-and-color wash illustrations of John amid the adults are accompanied by monster drawings rendered with a creative abandon that reflects Blake's respect for the masters among child artists. ~--Linda ~Callaghan

Horn Book Review

John loves to draw monsters, and every day his monsters grow more monstrous. His apprehensive parents consult Dr. Plunger, who prescribes more paper and pencils in his office. John emerges, minus Dr. Plunger but followed by an immense monster. Irresistible black humor. From HORN BOOK 1990, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Book Review

John likes to draw violent monsters--rendered by Blake in an inspired imitation of a youthful style. But when John embarks on a leviathan extended over several large sheets, his concerned parents take lure to Dr. Plunger, who encourages him to complete the drawing. As John emerges from Plunger's office, smiling for the first time, the voracious beast is glimpsed: it has come to life. Fortunately, John doesn't seem to need a doctor anymore. Hoban's quietly witty examination of John's monomania and various adults' carefully orchestrated responses to it have the ingenuous logic of his books about Frances. The conclusion is not so much violent as metaphorical: having completed his creative act in his own way, John is so little in need of a shrink that the doctor is actually obliterated. Monsters are a popular topic; kids should be amused by John's determination to follow his to their own startling, but thoroughly individual, resolution. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.