Project Description

Picture Books

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13 Monsters Who Should Be Avoided

by Kevin Shortsleeve
illustrated by Michael Austin

“I’m Professor LeGrand, of LeGrand University—the world’s foremost expert on monster diversity. Some monsters are charming; as guests they’re enjoyed. But the ones I’ll describe are best to avoid.”

Come along with Professor LeGrand as he warns readers about the outrageous habits and appalling behavior of thirteen mischievous monsters whom the creature teacher hopes the readers never have to meet. There’s the…

  • Scarce Sissyfoos: They live in dark wells by old country roads and dine on wet sneakers and unlucky toads.
  • Mess Monsters: They should not be let in; they’ll paint pudding pie murals depicting a pig, stick bubble-gum wads in your aunt’s silver wig.
  • Hedge-Standing Snit: Be extremely careful while clipping your hedges—don’t snip a Snit’s hair with your clipper edges, for a fit-throwing Snit can be greatly unkind, and won’t be content until he’s bit your behind!
Format: Hardcover
Price: $16.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-146-3
Publication Date: 9/1/1998
Page Count: 32
Size: 12-3/8″ x 9-4/9″
Age Range: 6 – 10
Language: English
AR Level: 5.5
F&P: GRL M, Gr 2, Genre F
Themes: Counting, Monsters, Poetry

Reviews

“[Shortsleeve] rounds up a far-out clan of creatures that go bump in the night (and day)…. Austin’s illustrations have a surreal edginess, both in the style, typified by elongated shapes, skewed angles and contorted shadows, and in the intriguingly irradiated palette…. young readers will likely be entertained.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Step aside Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. Mr. Shortsleeve is on his way to being our next children’s book star… This wonderful, beautifully illustrated and well-designed book will provide many hours of entertainment for kids, their parents/grandparents, and teachers.” ―Independent Publisher

“With Seussian prose, author Shortsleeve takes readers on a curious tour that’s more amusing than scary, aided by Austin’s colorful illustrations.” ―Janet Boyer

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“The rhyming read a-loud poetry is smart and flows nicely…if you can keep from laughing. It is the perfect picture book for Halloween and should be read as a prelude to trick-or-treat night.” ―Kid Lit Reviews

“In this highly useful book, wonderfully funny rhymes, splendid monster names, and clever illustrations are combined to give readers a memorable bookish adventure. If you think there is even a slim chance that you have a monster in your life, you must use this book to identify what kind of monster it is.” ―Through the Looking Glass

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Meet the Author

Kevin Shortsleeve holds degrees from Emerson College, University of Florida, and the University of Oxford. A professor of Children’s Literature at Christopher Newport University, he lives in Virginia.

Meet the Illustrator

Michael Austin is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, a creative director, and the illustrator of several books. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.