THE MONSTROUS BOOK OF MONSTERS

Go for the gross! Even hard-core fans may be tempted to give away their lunches after sampling this banquet of bogles.

Advising readers who don’t wish to become entrées themselves to flee at the first sign of monsters, “expert” Dr. Thomas Jelly presents a menagerie of menaces from giant closet worms, the aptly named Dentadontis and snot pets that “just love to hang out,” to the Lesser-Spotted Pooter, the Fartsquid and (tossing in something for the ‘rents) Crate Moss “the world’s most beautiful monster.” Flushed with references to poop and other bodily excrescences, the narrative covers monster types, household habitats (like your toothpaste tube—guess what comes out when you squeeze) and recipes (“Live Eyes On Sticks,” “Thing On Toast”). Also discussed are monster escape, capture and disposal strategies. Enhanced by dozens of flaps and sliding tabs, plus die cuts, minibooks and popups, the cartoon art portrays its luridly hued subjects in properly nauseating detail.

A giant googly eye embedded in a bite-marked cover beckons invitingly to stronger-stomached monster lovers.