Monsters 101

Like his Unicorns 101, Cale Atkinson’s second fake nonfiction book reveals the hidden world of another misunderstood species of mythical creature: Monsters. This book is a nonstop feast for the eyes full of outrageous “facts” to tickle the funny bone in any reader. Did you know, for instance, that the scientific name for Monster is “Super scarius”? Perhaps you’d like to know that werewolves are terrified by the sound of vacuum cleaners. Three “monster professors” are joined by their zombie assistant Tina (an “expert on braaaiiinnnnns”) to lift the curtain on their kind for the delight and education of the reader (they’re here to “enlighten”, not “frighten”). To enjoy as a Halloween favourite or for any time of year, this picture book will delight monster-lovers and will show those who aren’t such big fans how fun and not-scary monsters can be!

There’s a lot for readers to pour over as Atkinson’s illustrations are detailed and colourful, with lots of hidden eccentricities. The text complements the art very well, and readers will find new things to love on every reread. They’ll learn about monster biology, habitats, and daily routines and find some interesting pop culture factoids (Frankenstein’s monster makes an appearance) and be shown that monster behaviour is generally “friendly, unless cranky”. Whether their eyes are bloodshot or glowing – whether their odor is of “raunchy toe jam” or “garbage juice” – after reading this book, readers will be able to identify whether that creature hiding under their bed is, indeed, a monster.

Speaking of types of monsters - in Atkinson’s guide, readers will find all the classics, from cyclops to a chupacabra to a werewolf, as well as some “lesser-known” monsters: “Blunderblort”, “Frumple”, “Splonk”, and let’s not forget, “Richard”. Monsters come in all shapes and sizes and they love to have a good time, but it’s not always easy, and monsters have to prioritize self-care just like anyone! In the vein of empathetic monster stories before it (think Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.), most monsters’ worst fear is actually humans (“it’s probably more scared of you than you are of it”). In a surprising twist of tone, Atkinson takes a moment to subtly shed light on our species’ seemingly innate problem of vilifying the “other”. Monsters, Atkinson wants us to know, have feelings too.

At the end of the book, the reader graduates as a “Monster Scientist” with a removable “Monstronomy diploma”, and the reader is now responsible for studying, protecting, and caring for the monsters of the world. Readers will have as much fun reading this as Cale Atkinson most likely had thinking up ridiculous names and word-plays. “Satisfaction scare-anteed”.