This is a very funny story with a clever twist. It’s ingenious and fun to read, and it’s actually quite well written. My favorite line is “…out of the monstrous predicament he has been drawn into so thoughtlessly.” That gave me one of the many chuckles I experienced while reading this book.

As I was reading I thought the pictures & story might be frightening for some particularly sensitive young children, but as the story (and pictures!) shifted, I thought it was the perfect book for children who are afraid of monsters.

The illustrations are outstanding and so creative. I admit I’m a bit perplexed about a bird that seems to change from blue-green to red. Did the ink really go haywire or is there a second (or third?) bird? I did think that the first illustration of the monster within the book made the monster look goofy and friendly, but then his appearance does manage to change for a while.

The illustrations and story work together seamlessly, and the book is amusing and sweet, and it’s also inspiring for artists and other imaginative children.

I love these books (such as [b:Harold and the Purple Crayon|98573|Harold and the Purple Crayon|Crockett Johnson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171417956s/98573.jpg|1285373]) where the art supplies drive the story.