WHEN A MONSTER IS BORN

In the fine tradition of Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1985) and Remy Charlip’s Fortunately (1980) comes this British import sure to have little monsters everywhere asking to hear it again. “When a monster is born . . . there are two possibilities—either it’s a faraway-in-the-forests monster, or . . . it’s an under-your-bed monster.” If it’s the type that lives in the forest, that’s the end of the story . . . but if it lives under a bed, there are two further possibilities. Each double-page spread presents the next two possibilities in this ever sillier and eventually circular tale. Some might have difficulties with the concept of “possibilities,” but that won’t hamper their enjoyment. Even when noshing on the principal, Sharratt’s squiggly, bright-green monster is more cute than chilling. Sharratt’s heavy-lined cartoon illustrations are a perfect match for Taylor’s debut. Multiple typefaces will aid even the clumsiest readers in making this a storytime staple. (Picture book. 2-5)