Children's Book Review: "Monsters I Know" Written and Illustrated by Peter W. Collier

Written and Illustrated by Peter W. Collier, Monsters I Know is a book of short stories in rhyme. These short stories are about common fears that almost all children share at one point or another.

The book opens “Big Footed Belly Button Lint.” Thomas Mcfee has given life to some belly button lint and now it walks the streets at night.

"It started out as just some belly button lint, Now it's the size of his bed, with giant footprints; It's nothing imaginary, nothing pretend; It's not ugly or bad mannered, and doesn't usually offend; But when it wanders out on the streets at night; It sometimes gives people a terrible fright." (Kindle Locations 36-39)

Gaining life and being able to move about is a theme in a number of these rhyming stories. It is here where Paul’s hair is out of control in “Hairy Scary.”  It is also able to leave his head and walk the streets.

A certain tree can move about, eat animals, and just might be evil in “Hungry Tree.”

If hair, lint, and a carnivorous tree isn’t enough to spook you or your child a little bit, how about a pair of giant lips.  These Giant Red Lips are very headstrong in “Kissy Lips” and chase people.

Something lives in the “Wily Leaf Pile” and the bright leaf on top of the pile marks its head.

“The Barber Pole” seemed normal for over thirty years as it did its thing.  That is until one day when it changed and came alive. Yes, it has the ability to move around too.

Sam has an issue in “Smelly Sam” and it isn’t getting better. Whether the smells from him are alive or not, is not the issue. 

"No smells are exactly alike, and with Sam they're hard to name; He may not be a monster, but smells like one just the same;" (Kindle Locations 120-121).

One fish grows and one does not in “Little Gold Fishy.”  Little Susey Magoo thinks the answer is to release them into the nearby pond.

When the spaghetti comes alive in “Spaghetti Dinner” it is quite the sight according to Gio Gianetti.

”Jack The Giant Bean Spout” comes next in a tale familiar to all but with a far different ending.

I always thought school chairs had evil powers. At least one does in “The School Chair” and it has to be fed.

The space is infinite inside “The Circus Trunk.”

Something lurks at the end of the alley in “Dead End Rubbish.”

Mr. and Mrs. Jones disagreed in “The Fridge” as Mr. Jones said it had plenty of life. Now it went and gobbled up Mrs. Jones. It hasn’t stopped there despite the fact it was unplugged.

While sensitive children may be a little spooked by Monsters I Know most children will enjoy this fun rhyming book. A book that does not seek to impart life lessons or cautionary wisdom like so many children’s books that are on the market today. Instead, this book is just about fun and the joy of reading. As noted on the cover “Original rhyming children bedtime reading; both delightful to read and to hear” the book seeks to spookily entertain through free verse and the simple illustrations that accompany the stories.

Monsters I Know

Peter W. Collier

Self-Published

ASIN: B006FIZKQU

November 2011

E-book (estimated 35 pages)

$0.99

Material was picked up last month during the author’s free promotion for my use in an objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013