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Description
Gilbert accidentally brings home a slobbery, bite-sized monster in the hilarious latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends.
When plucky Gilbert the Goblin and his pal Chicken go camping together, they run into creatures that go bump in the night! The friends immediately flee the woods and head home--after all, everyone knows that monsters are absolutely, undeniably, unequivocally the worst!
But when a shocking stowaway appears in Gilbert's knapsack, looking awfully cute and extra snuggly, Gilbert is...smitten! Sure, monsters can bite and drool and make a big mess, but they can also steal your heart. It's a tale so sweet it's scary!
Many books into this series, Willan has the funny/adorable/touching balancing act down pat.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3--Gilbert the Goblin is back in this hilarious installment in the "The Worst!" series. Gilbert begins by addressing readers directly, informing them that goblins are outdoorsy and are great at reading maps, sculpting shrubs, tree climbing, and pickle roasting. When he arrives home, the cutest monster in the world is eating one of his pickles. Gilbert cannot take care of a monster for many hilarious and ridiculous reasons, ranging from their tendency to chow down on books to attracting gross children who may want to pet him. Over time, Gilbert softens toward the monster, enjoying the lap cuddles and feeling grief when he reunites the monster with his family. Willan offers a fun look at how adorable and cuddly monsters can be, and this text is perfectly suited for young readers who are not ready for a fright. The vivid illustrations and whimsical characters provide an adorable look into the mythical world of caring for a giant baby monster. Through Gilbert's story, the book emphasizes the importance of selflessness for young ones. VERDICT Add this title and the other books in the series to your library for elementary readers.
Copyright 2026 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
If it was Alex Willan, and not Gilbert the Goblin, who was in charge of writing the stories, he'd make a book called Anchovies are the Worst!. Alex is the author-illustrator of Unicorns are the Worst!, Dragons are the Worst!, Yetis are the Worst!, and the Jasper & Ollie series, as well as the illustrator of Got Your Nose, written by Alan Katz. Alex lives in Chicago with his dog, Harley, who is the absolute best. Visit him online at AlexWillan.com.
