Eva Dax (text), Sabine Dully (illus.), You Are Oh So Horribly Handsome!, Starfish Bay Children’s Books, Sept 2016, 32pp., $25.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9781760360139
Little Gregor is a monster. He is loud and strong and fast and loves to play. He seems an ordinary happy little monster until one day, a nasty thought pops into his mind and little Gregor begins to worry. Uncertain about his big nose and sticky-out ears, Gregor goes on a quest to find out if he is handsome. By not keeping his worry to himself and by seeking the support of friends and family, the little monster Gregor is able to rebuild his self-confidence.
This book gently explores the important concepts of self-esteem and body issues. It touches lightly on acceptance and uncertainty about our appearance. Gregor learns to embrace what makes him special.
Easy to read, children between the ages of four and seven will laugh and squirm at just how horribly handsome Gregor’s friends and family think he is. The illustrations are cute (in a horrible monster kind of way) and are a clever mix of ‘Awww’ and ‘Ewww’ that will delight younger readers. Children will enjoy searching for Gregor’s super cute monster toy appearing on each page.
You Are Oh So Horribly Handsome! is a story of positive reinforcement, love and acceptance.
Reviewed by Fiona Miller-Stevens
