Leonardo the Terrible Monster - by Mo Willems

Leonardo the Terrible Monster - Mo Willems (Pub: 2007)

From the writer of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and the Knuffle Bunny series, (he also has worked on Sesame Street's creative team for many years), comes a humours book about being friends and choices of how to be a friend.

The story is about Leonardo who is a terrible monster. He compares himself to some other monsters and seemingly has nothing going for him because he is unable to scare anyone. He researches and finds a boy who he thinks he can "scare the tuna salad out of". But this boy has just had a bad day. Then Leonardo chooses to be a friend rather than a scary monster - and from there a friendship is forged between the two.

Willems is a very clever writer and illustrator. He is a master manipulator of space in the pages of the book, and uses the size of the book (it is larger than the average book) to create the sense of space and loneliness, and the feeling of isolation. His use of vectors, and making the reader's eye follow the lines of sight that he, as the illustrator wants, is very clever. The Toronto Star is quoted as saying:

Willems has mastered the use of empty space great expanses of pastel page, in mood colours (mauve, dusty pink), enhance the emotion tied up in Leonardos intense attempts to be frightening. Most kids wont be able to help chortling over Leonardos grotesque faces, or sympathizing entirely with the miserable boy, who has had a very bad day. A cheering vision of true and uproarious companionship that shows you can write about self-esteem and still be funny and clever.

It will take a few readings with your child for them to understand what is really going on in this book. However, once there is an understanding of what is going on, they will love this book.

For children aged 5 - 7 yo; it's a good one for boys.