Monsters

When a travelling circus arrives in a remote village, everyone is excited. The Circus of Dreams claims to have the 'Monster of Dreams', a creature so terrifying and grotesque it is hardly to be believed. Otto, a young villager, is as excited as everyone else, but when he and his parents go to the show, he is surprised by what he sees…

A perfect mix of pictures and text, Monsters is a thought-provoking and intriguing read. As the story develops, the illustrations reveal that the terrifying monster in the cage is, in fact, a human child and the audience are actually what readers would consider to be monsters, making the book perfect for discussing viewpoint and perspective. The illustrations are amazing, beautifully drawn and full of detail, allowing children to infer layers of meaning about the characters, the setting and the circus itself.

Otto is an intriguing character. One of the 'monsters', he is shown to be sensitive, mocked and bullied by other children in his village. He is drawn to the human child, showing compassion and empathy for his situation and helping him to escape the clutches of the circus and the villagers.

The story could be used to encourage discussions about how fear of the unknown can make people react badly, thoughtlessly and inhumanely. A very powerful and moving story.

112 pages/ Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+