Monster hug! by David Ezra Stein.

I think I have discovered a new favorite picture book author.  This is the same David Ezra Stein who wrote the wonderful Leaves, which is my new favorite autumnal title. 

In this book, two monsters wake up, meet and start to play.  The monsters are bigger than mountains, can climb buildings, eat cars and trees, but really are just a pair of wild children.  The art is wonderfully rough and wild, suiting the subject perfectly, emphasizing the child-friendly text.  I love the wildness in the monsters’ eyes, the transposing of a blue monster who lives in a volcano and a red monster who lives under the sea, and the use of red words that capture the mood of the two monsters in single syllables. 

There is something special about finding a book that is not only masterfully created but will be truly enjoyed by even the smallest children.  What a rare treat!

Very toddler friendly, this book can be used with children ages 2-6.  Even older children will enjoy the humor and freedom here.  Highly recommended for use in preschool and toddler story times this time of year for a very non-scary monster story.