cover image Alfred’s Book of Monsters

Alfred’s Book of Monsters

Sam Streed. Charlesbridge, $15.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-58089-833-1

Working in a minimalistic palette of browns and grays, Streed introduces a boy who, much to the chagrin of his proper, tea-loving aunt, loves reading about “terrible” monsters in his favorite book. As the book’s ragged, antiqued pages (and Alfred’s hands atop them) fill the spreads, readers encounter the monstrous characters: the cold-skinned, stream-dwelling Nixie; the shaggy, one-eyed Black Shuck; and the Lantern Man—a floating spirit with skeletal limbs who carries a sinister lantern (“the light of one thousand stolen souls”). After another “delightful” tea pushes Alfred too far (“I want MONSTERS!”), wordless panels show him racing to the graveyard to deliver an invitation to the monsters—who are not only very real but barge into the house for a wonderful, “terrible” tea time. Streed conveys a child’s love for frights while delivering a blend of droll humor and chilling creatures. Ages 3–7. [em](Aug.) [/em]