FICTION

Loula and Mister the Monster

by Anne VILLENEUVE
illus. by Anne Villeneuve. 32p. Kids Can. 2015. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781771383264.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2—Loula's series continues with a busy tale of teaching manners to her harlequin Great Dane, Mister. After overhearing her mother say, "I can't live with that monster anymore," Loula takes pains to school the rampant giant pooch in table manners, keeping clean, and not jumping. Unfortunately, Mister's drooling and sometimes manic instincts lead to chaos, including major disruption at an art museum. After sneaking back home, girl and dog discover Mama's patience had actually expired for a massive Venus flytrap plant—not the Great Dane. Villeneuve's ink and watercolor scenes teem with comedy and offer ample details for study.
VERDICT This title nicely pairs with discussion of manners or avoiding false assumptions.
Reviewed by Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
When Loula overhears her mother say "I can't live with that...that MONSTER anymore!", the girl is convinced that Mama intends to jettison her beloved dog, so she institutes manners lessons to turn her canine couth. This Loula outing has the hallmarks of its predecessors--wit, compassion, accessibly urbane art--plus a surprise punch line (the "monster" is an unwieldy plant).
 , Dec 01, 2015

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