THE STORY OF GROWL

Poor Growl—she is forbidden from doing the one thing she loves most to do. After she’s growled once too often, her neighbors put their feet down and a sign up: NO GROWLING IN EUCALYPTUS DRIVE. It does not matter that she lives in a grand castle; no longer does she bounce all around, joyously showing her pointy teeth, purple skin and stunning red tail-spikes. She tries to hop and skip and run, but all she can do is mope. Cartoonist Horacek gets all the details just right, from Growl’s exuberant song to her utter misery when she is unable to be herself, artfully varying perspectives to reflect Growl’s emotions. When the little monster, sleepless in her castle turret, sees a masked robber under the brilliant full moon, Growl knows there are times to ignore the rules and do what needs to be done. Young readers will identify with sweet Growl, just trying to do the right thing and be her own monster. A book to read over and over. (Picture book. 3-8)