Vile: A Cautionary Tale for Little Monsters

by Mark Robinson, Sarah Horne (Illustrator)

With a revolting cast of nasties brought to life by playfully scratchy illustrations, this mischievous picture book demonstrates that perhaps life is not so great when spent solely in the pursuit of vileness   Lessons at the University of Vile are strict. With a timetable designed to refine the skills of grabbing, snatching, pushing, shoving, surreptitious tripping, and not-paying-attention, students must strive to hone their bad manners, poor personal hygiene, and repulsive habits. Graduation depends on demonstrating their monstrosity at all times. Those who don't meet the grade are destined for things far worse—disqualification and a quick enrollment at the dreaded Academy of Manners.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly predictable children's book we got from the library - for monsters, as in so many books, it's "opposite world" - bad behavior is praised for monsters, and good behavior punished. Two promising students at a school for monsters are stuck and forced to cooperate, but cooperation is good behavior, so they are expelled from monster school and have to live in the ordinary world. Meh.

[Sarah BT · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in this book. I think I was expecting more from the title. I guess it could be seen as a cautionary tale because we learn what happens when bad mannered monsters learn to be nice and where they are sent. But cautionary doesn't seem like the right word because we're never told that we're supposed to be on the side of the University of Vile and want to go there. Maybe kids will like it and there's lots of gross moments. I was just expecting more humor and a different story I think so this one let me down.

[Cya]

Good for class etiquette reinforcement. Great what-not-to-do examples for personal hygiene and bad habits. Would definitely read to Pre-K thru K.

[Nora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. At least it had bright colors....