GLAD MONSTER, SAD MONSTER

Children who lack the vocabulary to distinguish the emotions they're feeling may find some comfort in this book, which makes use of masks to unmask feelings. Each spread shows little brightly colored monsters acting out different emotions—pink monsters cut out valentines and bake cookies to express love, yellow monsters play ball and open birthday presents in the name of happiness—while a gatefold page reveals a big mask of whatever emotion is covered in that spread. The eyes and noses are punched out, so children can hold those pages up and "wear" the mask. It's a good idea, but easier in theory; the book is heavy for the young children at whom the book is aimed, and older ones will find it hard to put on the mask, read the book, and keep the pages intact; institutions should expect rips and stock multiple copies. The book has a use, whether teaching the names of emotions, or helping children express them. (Picture book. 3- 8)