Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Amanda Pig is back in another easy-to-read chapter book. At bedtime, she fears a monster, even though her family insists that there is no such thing. She just knows that a fearsome creature is lurking about-maybe under the bed or in the closet-ready to grab her. Slowly, with the help of her brother, who builds a monster trap, and with the loving support of her parents, Amanda overcomes her fear and realizes that she's "too big a pig to be scared of a little monster." Van Leeuwen captures childhood emotions perfectly and includes just the right amount of humor. With bright illustrations done in carbon pencil, colored pencils, and watercolor washes on every page, this book will delight the piglet's many fans.-Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Primary) Amanda Pig is back, facing a new challenge, this a somewhat darker one than usual: overcoming her nighttime fear of monsters. But, as usual, this author-artist team demonstrates a solid understanding of childhood feelings and family dynamics. Big brother Oliver teases her at first (""'I'm an awful, scary monster,' he cackled. 'Hee, hee, hee!'"") but then tries to help her (""There are no monsters...not in the whole entire world""). Amanda lets herself be convinced of the nonexistence of monsters in Mother and Father's presence, but as soon as the lights go out, ""Amanda knew. There was a monster in her room."" She tries such time-honored aides-de-banishment as a flashlight, under-the-bed checks, and homemade monster traps. What finally works for Amanda is a combination of familial reassurance and her own inner resources, which comes out as a brave poem: ""I am too big a pig / to be scared of a little monster. / So boo to you! / Go away! Shoo! / Anyway, there is no such thing as you."" Ed Emberley's classic Go Away, Big Green Monster! literally puts the power to dismantle monsters in preschoolers' hands; here, Amanda uses words to conquer her fears--just right for such an ""almost grown up"" pig and her newly independent readers. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
