Not Yeti

Following a history of "downright abominable" behavior, hulking, furry, teal Yeti realizes that he "liked making things... more than he liked breaking things." Crocheting sweaters for penguins and always ready with fresh-baked banana bread, he's totally unappreciated by his former cohort (including blobby Lumpy Stinker, who "will hide rotten egg salad sandwiches in the back of your sock drawer"). But Yeti maintains his equanimity: when the other monsters make hats out of the inspirational quote posters he paints, Yeti responds, "That probably wouldn't have been my first choice for a place to put it, but it looks nice!" Narration and dialogue balloons by DiPucchio (Oona) are models of heartfelt comedy with a light touch, and Keane's (Paolo, Emperor of Rome) softly jewel-toned, monstrously expressive digital drawings have the fluidity and immediacy of ink and watercolor sketches. The book's lesson--framed as an alternative party that Yeti throws during the raucous Monster Bash--is a familiar one, but readers should find it reassuring nonetheless: be yourself, and the rest will follow. Ages 4-8. (May)