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MY MONSTER MOOFY by Annie Watson Kirkus Star

MY MONSTER MOOFY

by Annie Watson ; illustrated by Eric Zelz

Pub Date: June 22nd, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-88448-801-9
Publisher: Tilbury House

Moofy, the monster who lives under the unnamed protagonist’s bed, is a complex creature of many, many talents.

He has quick reflexes and is a master of disguise. Despite his fearsome, sword-sharp teeth, he can also be silly, resembling a rug more than a monster. Moofy also has a softer side. He loves to help make muffins, to read books, and to gaze at the moon. Moofy’s tendency to create chaos does not deter his adoring fans, who shower him with attention and high-fives. Moofy, it turns out, is not just any monster: He is the protagonist’s cat—and their best friend. The cleverly over-the-top text utilizes a variety of literary devices to describe Moofy’s colorful life and personality, organically and effectively introducing young children to concepts like metaphor, simile, alliteration, allusion, hyperbole, and rhyme. The protagonist is endearing, and their affectionate perspective renders Moofy’s antics delightful to behold. The watercolor illustrations, which utilize a gentle pastel palette, perfectly complement the text: Each picture shows a few more details about Moofy, helping readers realize that Moofy is actually a cat. The protagonist is depicted with beige skin and dark, straight hair. The examples of each device are clear, accurate, and child friendly, making this book an excellent resource for an elementary language-arts classroom or an ideal gift for a young, budding writer. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A delightful picture-book introduction to poetic devices.

(glossary) (Picture book. 4-8)