School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

PreS-Gr 2—A smiley, orange creature is adamant in his stance of not eating children and does not appreciate being accused of such a thing. The story begins with the uni-browed monster alongside different children who are enjoying various activities—playing an instrument, flying a kite, and knitting, to name a few. However, someone is missing on each page as the story moves along and the monster continues his protests. What happens at the end is both deserving and comical. Young bibliophiles will enjoy turning every page of Cutler's silly story as they will be looking to see who, if anyone, survives until the end. VERDICT Great fun as a read-aloud and for newly independent readers, this tale is sure to bring the giggles.—Kerra Mazzariello

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A towering red creature is outsmarted by a child. “I would never eat a child,” says a tall critter, who holds a hand over its heart and makes a scout’s honor gesture. A line of 10 racially diverse children (one of whom uses a wheelchair) flank the not-monster at the outset, resembling an ensemble waiting to take a bow at a curtain call. Kids disappear with each turn of the page, leaving behind accessories such as a soccer ball or a trumpet to mark their place in the lineup. Though we see the nameless “monster” reaching for unsuspecting tots and burping up a green cloud containing possessions belonging to the kids, it skirts around the label and the idea that it would ever eat children. “Maybe it is you who eats children,” the red-skinned beastie supposes, pointing toward the reader. Readers will enjoy flipping back and forth to see which children have vanished as the not-monster denies all involvement in the rapid and reliable disappearances. The text is spare and direct, with the only dialogue coming from the not-monster until the very last spread. What happens to this antihero? The last standing child, with puffy pigtails and dark skin, declares, “I do eat liars.” And the creature cleanly disappears in a scene sure to elicit chuckles. Kids will gobble this tale up. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

An orange monster wearing green-and-yellow striped pants stands among a group of children engaged in separate activities. In vividly colored digital illustrations, a boy flies a kite and a girl plays the trumpet, while another child using a wheelchair knits. Ballet, martial arts, and reading are some of the others’ interests. Addressing the reader directly, the monster proclaims that it does not eat children. With each page turn, however, a child disappears. Are they simply leaving? When the monster releases a burp, however, the tone begins to change. Included in the burp’s noxious fumes are some of the missing children’s belongings. When only one child remains, the monster reiterates that it does not eat children. That last girl replies, “I do eat liars.” The final image shows her happily returning to her reading, the green-and-yellow striped pants now empty. The monster appears comical rather than scary, which makes the ending less expected. As in Jon Klassen’s Hat books, there’s no last-minute rescue, but most child readers will find this narrative hilarious rather than horrifying.