A Valentine for Frankenstein

A menagerie of monsters with tentacles, multiple eyes, and pointy teeth are preparing for Valentine’s Day festivities. And then there’s Frankenstein’s monster. Though he is confident in his tuxedo and “comfortable in his own green skin,” the friendly creature is ostracized for looking too human. At the cemetery jubilee, nothing Frankenstein does is mean, gross, or monstrous enough: his cupcake lacks bugs, his table manners are too fine, and his burp is considered no more than a hiccup. But Frankenstein’s secret admirer, who gives him a valentine, leads the other monsters to accept him—friendliness and all. Drippy, drooly, slime-covered monsters in bright hues by Banks (The Frankenstein Journals) are just fiendish enough to provide light scares, while the Valentine’s Day–Halloween mash-up is ideal for kids who think smooching is pretty gross. Ages 5–9. [em](Nov.) [/em]