IF FLOWERS WERE LITTLE MONSTERS

A French comics artist expands a botanical ramble by envisioning 20 flowers as creepy creatures.

Accompanied by brief but chatty descriptive and historical notes, a set of freely rendered common tree and garden flowers transform into disarmingly awkward-looking “monsters” with appropriately malaprop characteristics and all-cap monikers. Camellias become MONSTRELLIAS, soothing lavender transforms into cozy feline LAVENDOGRES, and DANDEMONSTERS reflect the diuretic effects of dandelions by peeing in bed. Except for molelike HYAMONSTERS, which look like they’re bleeding, the visuals follow the comical or satirical tone of the narrative. Elderberry stamens resemble “snails’ eyes,” while poisonous buttercups are compared to “the classic teenager” because they have oily skin and peach-fuzz mustaches: “cute but certainly not without toxic traits.” Le Men does slip in occasional national stereotypes (“True to their name, Japanese anemones owe their elegance to their simplicity”), and her explanation of how mimosas—by which she means the Australian version—are really acacias while what Americans call “acacias” actually belong to a different family is likely to leave readers more confused than enlightened. Still, it’s a fun premise, and youngsters will likely find both her taste for gross details and her closing guidelines for creating yet more floral monsters entertaining.

A sly conceit, played more for chortles than chills.