Love Monster and the Last Chocolate

October 12, 2015
“Everybody knows that monsters seriously love chocolate,” so Bright’s Love Monster, back in a third book, is thrilled to find a box of chocolates on his doorstep. But Love Monster’s mind quickly starts racing: should he share the candy? “What if someone took the one he wanted most?” After Love Monster hides out at home, his conscience catches up with him; just as he’s ready to pass the chocolates around to his best friends, he learns that, this time, sharing is unnecessary. Bright’s story skirts the edge of being too message-heavy, but the infectious energy of her cartooning and narration keeps things silly and fun. Ages 2–4.

October 1, 2015
The surprised recipient of a box of chocolates agonizes over whether to eat the whole box himself or share with his friends. Love Monster is a chocoholic, so when he discovers the box on his doorstep, his mouth waters just thinking about what might be inside; his favorite's a double chocolate strawberry swirl. The brief thought that he should share these treats with his friends is easily rationalized away. Maybe there won't be enough for everyone, perhaps someone will eat his favorite, or, even worse, leave him with his least favorite: the coffee one! Bright's pacing and tone are on target throughout, her words conveying to readers exactly what the monster is thinking and feeling: "So he went into his house. And so did the box of chocolates]without a whisper of a word to anyone." This is followed by a "queasy-squeezy" feeling akin to guilt and then by a full-tilt run to his friends, chocolates in hand, and a breathless, stream-of-consciousness confession, only to be brought up short by what's actually in the box. And the moral is just right: "You see, sometimes it's when you stop to think of others]that you start to find out just how much they think of you." Monster's wide eyes and toothy mouth convey his emotions wonderfully, and the simple backgrounds keep the focus on his struggle. A treat to be savored]and a lesson learned]any time of year. (Picture book. 3-7)

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