“When a monster is born” is the opening phrase in this circular story explaining what happens in the life of a monster. Through an entertaining pattern of possibilities and consequences, the author explains what would happen in a variety of monstrous situations. For example, if you take a monster to school, there are two possibilities. Either the monster will sit quietly, do its homework, and become a basketball star or it will eat the principal. As the situations unfold, different conclusions are presented, each sillier than the last. The text is laid out in a consistent pattern and each scenario is accented with bold font work. Bright illustrations of mixed media jump from the black and white backgrounds in this lively story. (Ages 5–9)

When a monster is born, there are two possibilities... each episode in this comical story presents a choice between absurd alternatives ("Either it sits quietly and does its homework . . . or it eats the Principal"), followed by an equally absurd--and frequently unexpected-- outcome ("If it sites quietly, that's that. But if it eats the Principal, there are two possibilities..."). A subversive and satisfying take on "What if . . . ?" illustrated in bright pick-me-up colors, When a Monster is Born will have readers imagining unlikely stories of their own--and laughing out loud.