It's hard being the only monster in Cutesville, home of fluffy kitties, puppies, and bunnies. So Love Monster, the only hairy, googly-eyed resident, packs a trunk and heads out to look for love. Unfortunately, even though he thinks to bring a map and some donuts, he seems to keep looking for love in all the wrong places.

Readers will adore Love Monster's fluffy, sad little face. It struck me as sort of a really early lesson in codependency. Don't be sad, Love Monster! Love yourself, and maybe love will find you. I also found myself giving the stink-eye to those little kids who only like the little animal residents of Cutesville. So shallow! Can't they see past Love Monster's sharp teeth and melancholy demeanor to the cuddly warmth of his personality? There's a heart right on his furry little chest! I bet he gives great hugs.

The story is fun, but the artwork for me is just ok. And what is up with the font? It's playful and whimsical, but hard to read. (Though having read part of Malcolm Gladwell's David & Goliath, maybe the hard-to-read font will actually make readers pay more attention to the story.) While I'm not totally over the moon with this picture book, I think this would make a fun bedtime story, and there's a couple of neat things you could do to turn this into a Valentine literacy cafe sort of activity.

More on RNSL: http://www.readnowsleeplater.com/2014/01/love-monster-picture-book-review.html or CleverBee: https://alethea-allarey.squarespace.com/clever-blog/2014/1/1/love-monster