• Age: 5 to 8
• Grade: k to 3
• Reading age: 5 to 8

The internationally acclaimed author of the Stella and Sam series has created a collection of short, funny illustrated stories.

This hilarious collection of illustrated stories gives us a glimpse into the things children wonder about every day.

What do cats really see? What do trees talk about? Should you make funny faces on a windy day? Do worms rule the world? Do mothers always tell the truth? Do snails have nightmares?

These short stories are illustrated in vibrant watercolor and collage in cartoon style. They are rich in detail and tiny humorous subplots that will delight all little sharp-eyed monsters.

Key Text Features
humour
speech bubbles
panels

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.5
Recognize common types of texts (e.g., storybooks, poems).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7
Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7
Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)

MARIE-LOUISE GAY has achieved international acclaim as an author and illustrator of children’s books. She has won many awards, including two Governor General’s awards, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award, the Vicky Metcalf Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. She has also been nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Marie-Louise’s very popular Stella and Sam series has been translated into more than fifteen languages and is loved by children all over the world. Her recent books include Any Questions? and Short Stories for Little Monsters. She lives in Montreal. marielouisegay.com

Marie-Louise Gay's profile page

• Commended, Bank Street College of Education Best Children‚Äôs Book of the Year
• Commended, Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens
• Short-listed, Governor General's Literary Award, Young People's Literature - Illustrated Books
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens
• Short-listed, Governor General's Literary Award, Young People's Literature — Illustrated Books

This volume is worth reading multiple times to enjoy the humor and to revisit the witty illustrations and snappy dialogue.

School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

Don’t be surprised if this one becomes a dog-eared favorite in your child’s bedroom or your school library or classroom. It’s smart, funny, entertaining, and eminently browse-able. More picture books like this, please.

Kirkus Reviews

A whimsical, attractive, and unique book.

CM Magazine

Gay's whimsical artwork is always a treat.… Little ones will appreciate the bite-size nature of these playful stories and gentle jokes, as well as the riotous spreads packed with lively details.

Booklist

Fans of Louis Sachar's Wayside School stories and Shel Silverstein's repertoire of drawings will delight as this picture book joins their ranks.

Kirkus Reviews

In these comics-style snapshots of whimsy, Gay lets children and other creatures break the rules of ordinary life. … Imagination makes the strangest things possible.

Publishers Weekly

Silly and funny and unique, graced with the fabulous illustrations by Marie-Louise Gay.

Youth Services Book Review, STARRED REVIEW

Original, inventive, pore-overable, and child-pleasing; it's well worth being deemed a "little monster" to be the audience for this book.

Horn Book, STARRED REVIEW