Product Description

A hilarious picture book from Nick Butterworth, the highly-regarded, prize-winning, creator of Percy the Park Keeper. In a fantastical land where even warthogs are beautiful, the peace is shattered one day by the deafening thud of something very large nearby. Is it a monster? None of the animals feels brave enough to find out, but they know of an 'Ugly Beast' who might be able to help. And when they find him, the animals are in for a truly monstrous surprise.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #99599 in Books
• Published on: 1998-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
First there comes an Ugly Beast. Then there comes a Big Monster whose thudding footsteps disturb Basil the Bushbaby's rest. Something must be done! However, Basil's attempts to enlist his friends' help in getting rid of the menace fall on deaf ears--each of his friends has a very good reason why they are the wrong one to help. Finally a solution to the problem is found and the issue is resolved in a very satisfactory way.

This is a delightful picture book with illustrations and text in perfect harmony--as you would expect from Nick Butterworth, one of today's most popular author/illustrators. The text, full of repetition and simple words, is perfect for reading aloud--young audiences will be delighted to join in with the repeated "Thud! Thud! Thud!" of the monster's footprints. The colourful and wonderfully expressive illustrations, full of witty little touches are bound to keep readers coming back for another look. (Ages 3 to 7)

Review
Praise for QPootle5: "An alien story with a difference! There's lots of laughs in this friendly, funny story and we loved the wonderfully low-tech DIY spaceship." Practical Parenting Praise for Albert le Blanc: "Nick Butterworth is one of the best picture book writers alive." The Independent "Butterworth's drawings have a comforting clarity and his stories develop straightforwardly so the book works for just about everyone." Sunday Times "Triumphant" The Observer Praise for The Whisperer: "We are not born with prejudice. We learn it. I welcome a book to help young people learn that our diversity is a gift -- a wonderful blessing from God. let us celebrate it." Desmond Tutu Archbishop Emeritus "Scrumptious pictures and sardonic text make this irresistible." The Times

About the Author
Nick Butterworth was born in 1946 in Kingsbury, North London and grew up in a sweet shop. He has worked as a graphic designer for major London design consultancies. Nick then launched into freelance graphics and illustrations working in partnership with three others, including Mick Inkpen. In 1981 his first children's book was published, B.B. Blacksheep and company

Customer Reviews

Superb for reading together
There is suspense, anticipation and fun. Children love reading this book with you and it's great for sound effects and characterisation with all the animals of the jungle to boot.

Not just for tinies
Purchased for a 5 year old, it enthralls both her and her 7 year old sister. The mummy monster spotting the baby in the crowd is always worth 5 minutes of action replay, and wow! while they're doing that I can pore over the illustrations.Simply splendid.

one of our family favourites
I love this book - it's one of my favourite childrens' stories to read aloud. It's the perfect length for a bedtime story, long enough to be interesting but fine to read in one installment.

The variety of animal characters and dialogue gives lots of opportunity for doing funny voices and the "thud, thud, THUD, THUD!" bits are great for kids to join in with.

My son loved this from when he was 2 (now 8) and my nearly 6 year old daughter has now inherited it and loves it too. It would also be a great read aloud book for a keystage 1 class.

The illustrations are delightful too.
Highly recommended!