Buddy and the Bunnies in: Don't Play With Your Food by Bob Shea

Buddy is a monster. He likes to do the stuff that monsters do, like yelling, being grumpy and eating innocent creatures.

He finds a small group of bunnies and announces his horrific intentions. He will eat the bunnies. Luckily the bunnies are too clever to be eaten and they feed Buddy cupcakes until he's too full for bunny eating. Every day Buddy tries to give in to his monster instincts and every day the bunnies escape whilst Buddy has a pretty good time.

Can the bunnies stay uneaten? Will Buddy ever stop playing with his food?

This is another monster hit in the making from the author and illustrator of Dinosaur vs Bedtime, Bob Shea. Buddy is an impressively clueless monster, which means he's not really that scary. The bunnies are clever, friendly and slowly multiplying every day.

The art work is dynamic, simple and colorful with a slight 50s feel which gives the impression that Buddy the monster has wandered into a much nicer picture book than he's used to.

And here's the hidden message folks. Bullies are often just people who don't fit in, they want friends, they just don't know how to play with them (without eating them). However, these unfortunate circumstances can be turned around by consistent and brave offers of friendship.

Funny, clever and touching. For ages 4-8.

Published January 7, 2014 by Disney Hyperion.