Early Book Review: Leo's Monster by Marcus Pfister

Leo's Monster by Marcus Pfister is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on My 5 2020.  When Leo, the city mouse, visits his friend Zoe in the countryside for the first time, he meets a huge and horrible monster.  It’s gigantic, has lots of horns, an enormous tail, and when it roars, the earth shakes. At least that’s what Leo saw. Or did he? Zoe thinks his description sounds just like Berta, the sweet-tempered cow in the meadow.
Leo's Monster is a brightly illustrated story that reminded me of the old legend about the blind men and the elephant. Trying to describe something we have never encountered before can be hard, and overcoming fear when facing something we do not know or understand can be hard. I think this story does a good job of showing readers that they are not alone in these reactions, and that sharing with a friend or trusted adult can help alleviate the fear, and find the truth behind the matter. I loved the artwork, and thought the changes to the 'monster' as the story progressed was a perfect touch. 

No comments: