top of page
7872780.jpg

Petit, the monster
(petit, el monstruo)

2006

Petit is puzzled. He’s a good boy when he plays with his dog. But he’s a bad boy when he pulls a girl’s hair. He can be very nice to his grandfather but terrible to pigeons. It’s good when he takes care of his toys, but very bad when he doesn’t want to share them. In short, the world is mysterious to Petit. It’s exhausting trying to figure it all out. This book by the three-time Hans Christian Andersen finalist Isol is a brilliant, funny, and ever-so-true recreation of a small boy’s world. The ambiguities and confusions confronting the behavior of people, even small children, are perfectly and lovingly observed and wonderfully illustrated in this little masterpiece. Every child (and every grownup with any honesty) will recognize themselves in this story.

Commended CCBC Choices, 2011
Critics

“Featherlight humor and keen insight distinguish this story about the warring impulses to be good or naughty. Isol’s rust and sky blue illustrations resemble slightly off-register screen printing; the outlines of the figures are doubled, a deft visual representation of Petit’s dual nature.”
— Publishers Weekly

"Isol resists serving a lesson on a platter"
— Daniel Kraus, Booklist

"Brilliant, funny and big-hearted"
— Melissa Carter, Canadian Family 

"[A] charming import"
— Joan Kindig, School Library Journal 

Rights sold

• Chinese (World): CCPPG

• Greek (World): Martis Books

• Portuguese (Brasil): MOV PALAVRAS

• Russian (World): Eye Book

• Spanish (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, Puerto rico, and Colombia): Calibroscopio 

• Spanish (Spain): Taka Tuka

bottom of page