Three Monsters

A newcomer in yellow turns up on an island that belongs to two idle monsters, one red and one blue. He offers a deal: give him a small piece of ground, and he will clear the boulders, flatten the terrain, and trim back the wild growth. The red and blue monsters are wary of this odd outsider, yet they can hardly turn him down, even though they never planned to do their share of the work. The yellow monster sets about making them keep their word, and along the way he turns the island into a green, flourishing paradise. The tale works as a lighthearted lesson about generosity and welcoming those who seem different.

David McKee's writing is lively and mischievous, with plenty of colorful name-calling that young readers tend to find hilarious. The humor encourages children to laugh while also prompting them to think about fairness, laziness, and how a newcomer is treated.