Don't Squish the Sasquatch!

PreS-Gr 1—A cast of colorful monsters wants to ride the city bus driven by Mr. Blobule. Señor Sasquatch, a giant green creature dressed in a dapper suit, boards first. He has one caveat about his commute: he doesn't like to be squished. As the vehicle rumbles along the urban streets, more and more passengers flag it down. Miss Elephant Shark is followed by Mr. Octo-Rhino and then Miss Goat-Whale. Each time another affable but oddly formed monster climbs aboard, the driver warns the new rider that Señor Sasquatch needs plenty of room. Soon the bus is full, and the sasquatch becomes overwhelmed by the crowd. He lets out a long scream and then, in a four-page foldout, causes an explosion: "KA-BLOOEY!!" To revive the prostrate creature, Mr. Blobule tells the others, "We must smooch the sasquatch." Once Señor is back on his feet, the bus riders give him an enthusiastic group hug. The story ends on a humorous note as the tall green monster protests, "But... you're squishing me!!" The vibrant, eye-catching digital artwork and multicolored text will appeal to young children, who will also delight in joining Mr. Blobule in the oft-repeated refrain, "DON'T SQUISH THE SASQUATCH!!!" The imaginative combinations of animals making up each character will keep youngsters laughing. Pair this picture book with Sandra Boynton's Birthday Monsters! (Workman, 1993) or Matt Mitter's Hungry Monsters: a Pop-up Book of Colors (Reader's Digest, 2008) for a monstrously silly storyhour.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA