“How to Knit a Monster,” is a delightful picture book story about Greta, a goat,  who knits “socks for everyone she knows and for many she doesn’t know.”  One day, she decides to make something different and “click, click clickety”  go her knitting needles.” Before long,  little goats are sliding off her  needles.  Mrs. Sheep complains that Greta’s knitting is messy and that she drops stitches. This upsets Greta a great deal. She becomes angry,  (who likes to be criticized),   doesn’t pay attention to her knitting and before she knows it, a wolf jumps off her knitting needles.  Greta  then proceeds to knit a monster which gobbles up  Mrs. Sheep and a tiger.  But now, how does she get rid of the monster?  Can you guess?

This picture book is very funny, very  clever, and has a wonderful surprise ending.  This is a story that one  should  read just  for fun, taking note of Greta’s quick wit, quick thinking and tenacity as she comes to terms with the “monster” she has created!  A good story to use when wishing to encourage imagination and creativity in writing endeavors.   A wonderful example too, of how sometimes when you think you’ve solved one  problem, another rears its ugly head.

The illustrations match the theme of the story well: knitting. They are bold and colorful but somewhat sketchy,  loose, and scattered,  in part, perhaps,  to reflect the sometimes messiness of a knitting project.  This book will keep you in “stitches!”

Reviewed by: Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME