Some Monsters Are Different

The monster world—not unlike another world readers may be familiar with—takes all kinds: “Some monsters are afraid. Some are not. Some monsters will eat anything. Some are picky,” explains Milgrim (Goodnight iPad). And while some monsters may think it odd that not everyone wants to wear a unitard, blue sunglasses, and a Carmen Miranda–style hat, all of them are “absolutely, positively, completely, perfectly wonderful... just the way they are!” Milgrim’s core sentiment is inarguably generous-minded and sweet, as are his digitally rendered cartoon vignettes, many of which are set against crisp white backgrounds so the creatures’ adorably improbable features pop. A few individual scenes hit a distinctive comic note (like the garrulous monster who bores everyone to sleep by recounting a food dream), but he doesn’t always push the diversity idea far in the illustrations; despite their varying fur, horns, warts, wardrobes, and personal proclivities, the monsters are basically two-eyed, bipedal creations. Still, any one of them would make a perfectly respectable plush toy. Ages 3–5. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (July)