I Loathe You

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%E2%80%937. (Dec.)