A VALENTINE FOR FRANKENSTEIN

No matter how much the other monsters tease him, Frankenstein is “comfortable in his own green skin.”

All the monsters are preparing for the Valentine’s Day Bash, but even though Frankenstein (the monster, not the doctor) is wearing his “worst tuxedo,” “crookedest smile,” and droopiest flower, the other monsters tease him: “Just two eyes!” “No tail.” “And he’s nice….Blech!” Indeed he is. He retrieves a child’s muddy toy, compliments others even when they are unkind to him, and helps out a skeleton who has fallen apart. But kindness isn’t the only storyline here. Frankenstein becomes smitten with Belcher, a monster he’s never met before, and she feels the same, slipping a valentine in his pocket asking him to be hers. The other monsters don’t understand what she sees in him. “I’ve never met a friendly monster before,” she enthuses. “He’s my kind of monster!” And just like that, the other monsters see Frankenstein’s kindness as a positive quality and finally accept him. Banks’ digital illustrations go overboard (in a good way) in portraying the gruesome and grotesque, and small details in the spreads will delight careful observers. The bright palette features some almost-fluorescent shades, and his monsters are definitely a diverse bunch.

Regardless of the monsters’ rather sudden turnabout, Frankenstein models self-assurance and kindness, both of which are much needed.