I Do Not Eat Children

by Marcus Cutler

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

A fourth-wall-breaking picture book that sees a steadily disappearing cast of children absolutely not eaten by the sly monster. Hilarious and engaging, this is an infinitely re-readable story that is sure to delight.

A smooth-talking monster gets what's coming to him in this funny and slyly subversive picture book for fans of There's a Monster in Your Book and We Don't Eat Our Classmates.

A big orange creature lurks in a crowded playground...but don't worry! He would never eat a child. What do you think he is…a MONSTER? And kids are definitely not disappearing every time you turn a page. You're imagining things. The monster has nothing to hide; in fact, he loves children. And he would never, ever, ever—oops! There goes another kid....
 
This laugh-out-loud story will keep readers guessing until the end, then send them straight back to the beginning to keep a close eye on the wily monster (and the one kid who knows exactly what he's up to). A great read aloud for bedtime (or anytime!), this silly and subversive picture book delivers poetic justice and giggles galore.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316474726
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	02/20/2024
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	30,477
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Marcus Cutler is also the illustrator of You Might Be Special!, The Three Canadian Pigs, and Travel Guide for Monsters Part Deux: A Canadian Adventure, among others. He lives in Ontario, Canada, and he invites you to visit him online at marcuscutler.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Readers will enjoy flipping back and forth to see which children have vanished as the not-monster denies all involvement in the rapid and reliable disappearances.... Kids will gobble this tale up."—Kirkus Reviews

"Young bibliophiles will enjoy turning every page of Cutler’s silly story as they will be looking to see who, if anyone, survives until the end.... Great fun as a read aloud and for newly independent readers, this tale is sure to bring the giggles."—School Library Journal

"This tale of comeuppance employs page turns to ratchet up tension, and will likely hold listeners rapt during read-alouds.... Cutler tees up and then tickles reader expectations in this deliciously dark tale in which a mischief-maker ultimately gets (ahem, becomes?) its just desserts."

—Shelf Awareness

"As in Jon Klassen’s Hat books, there’s no last-minute rescue, but most child readers will find this narrative hilarious rather than horrifying."—Booklist

From the Publisher

02/01/2024

PreS-Gr 2—A smiley, orange creature is adamant in his stance of not eating children and does not appreciate being accused of such a thing. The story begins with the uni-browed monster alongside different children who are enjoying various activities—playing an instrument, flying a kite, and knitting, to name a few. However, someone is missing on each page as the story moves along and the monster continues his protests. What happens at the end is both deserving and comical. Young bibliophiles will enjoy turning every page of Cutler's silly story as they will be looking to see who, if anyone, survives until the end. VERDICT Great fun as a read-aloud and for newly independent readers, this tale is sure to bring the giggles.—Kerra Mazzariello

School Library Journal

2023-11-18
A towering red creature is outsmarted by a child.

“I would never eat a child,” says a tall critter, who holds a hand over its heart and makes a scout’s honor gesture. A line of 10 racially diverse children (one of whom uses a wheelchair) flank the not-monster at the outset, resembling an ensemble waiting to take a bow at a curtain call. Kids disappear with each turn of the page, leaving behind accessories such as a soccer ball or a trumpet to mark their place in the lineup. Though we see the nameless “monster” reaching for unsuspecting tots and burping up a green cloud containing possessions belonging to the kids, it skirts around the label and the idea that it would ever eat children. “Maybe it is you who eats children,” the red-skinned beastie supposes, pointing toward the reader. Readers will enjoy flipping back and forth to see which children have vanished as the not-monster denies all involvement in the rapid and reliable disappearances. The text is spare and direct, with the only dialogue coming from the not-monster until the very last spread. What happens to this antihero? The last standing child, with puffy pigtails and dark skin, declares, “I do eat liars.” And the creature cleanly disappears in a scene sure to elicit chuckles.

Kids will gobble this tale up. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews