Leonardo, the Terrible Monster (Leonardo the Terrible Monster #1)

by Mo Willems (Author) Mo Willems (Illustrator)

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster (Leonardo the Terrible Monster #1)
Leonardo is truly a terrible monster--terrible at "being a monster." Despite his best efforts, he can't seem to frighten anyone, but when he discovers the perfect nervous little boy, can he finally be scary? Full color.
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Publishers Weekly

Picture books commonly suggest that monsters, like certain bullies, are insecure and make marvelous playmates. Pint-size Leonardo, a case in point, is "a terrible monster" because "he couldn't scare anyone." As he roars, two people exchange patronizing smiles, and a circus-style, curly-serif typeface implies silly humor rather than danger. Like a Muppet, Leonardo is knee-high with olive-drab fur, a monkey's tail, a pink nose and tiny white horns. "He didn't have 1,642 teeth, like Tony," a six-mouthed purple guy (a footnote explains, "Not all teeth shown"), and "he wasn't big, like Eleanor," whose clawed feet (one sporting a pearl ankle bracelet) barely fit in the spread. Leonardo decides to pick on someone his own size, but when he successfully startles a moping boy, the child begins to wail about a broken toy in inch-tall italics that fill two pages. Leonardo decides that "instead of being a "terrible monster", he would become a "wonderful friend"," and dispenses a consoling hug. Willems's ("Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!") finale feels apt but syrupy; Leonardo's decision to be nice seems homiletic. Yet this is an appealing book, sketched in dark brown against grayish pastel backdrops, with evergreen lettering and highlighted key words. Leonardo accurately mimics a child's frustration at not being taken seriously; Willems suggests trying kindness to get attention. Ages 3-6. 

Copyright 2005 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

PreS-Gr 1 -Leonardo is a terrible monster - -terrible - as in he can't scare anybody. He's not big, doesn't have hundreds of teeth, and isn't even weird. So one day he comes up with an idea: -He would find the most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world -&and scare the tuna salad out of him! - After much research, he chooses Sam, sneaks up on him, and -[gives] it all he [has]. - When the boy cries, Leonardo is convinced that he is a success. But Sam proceeds to recite a litany of wrongs that actually brought on his tears: -My mean big brother stole my action figure right out of my hands -&, - and on and on. Leonardo makes a decision that is sure to surprise and delight readers. Willems's familiar cartoon drawings work hand in glove with the brief text to tell this perfectly paced story. It is printed on pastel grounds in large, fancy letters that change color for emphasis. Sam's list of woes marches across a spread. Leonardo, a small greenish-beige creature with tiny horns; blue eyes; and pink nose, hands, and feet, first appears in a lower right-hand corner looking dejected, but when he makes his momentous decision, his circular head fills two pages. His antics to produce a scare will have youngsters laughing, while the asterisk next to the number of monster Tony's teeth ( -*note: not all teeth shown -) will have grown-ups chuckling, too. A surefire hit." -Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Mo Willems
Mo Willems is a six-time Emmy Award-winning writer and animator for Sesame Streetand the creator of Cartoon Network's Sheep in the BigCity. He is the author of groundbreaking picture books, including; Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (Caldecott Honor winner 2004); Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Caldecott Honor winner 2003); Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up Late!; The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!; Time to Say "Please"!; Leonardo, the Terrible Monster; and Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct. Mo lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York.

same as above
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9780786852949
Lexile Measure
560
Guided Reading Level
I
Publisher
Hyperion Books for Children
Publication date
September 01, 2005
Series
Leonardo the Terrible Monster
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Imagination
Friendship in children
Monsters
Imagination in children
Book Sense Book of the Year Award
Honor Book 2006 - 2006
Black-Eyed Susan Award
Nominee 2006 - 2007
Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
Nominee 2007 - 2007
Beehive Awards
Nominee 2007 - 2007
Buckaroo Book Award
Nominee 2006 - 2007
Colorado Children's Book Award
Nominee 2007 - 2007
North Carolina Children's Book Award
Nominee 2008 - 2008
South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award
Nominee 2007 - 2008
Monarch Award
Nominee 2011 - 2011
Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award
Nominee 2006 - 2006

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