This is an odd little story. It is about a man, who befriends a “beast” who is stealing pears from his tree. Not only does he befriend the beast but convinces the beast to be shown to the science of animal groups, where no one can believe this wonderous new creature. This book is historically banned for violence, and for not being age appropriate. I find that odd. It’s a picture book, for picture book age ranges. To this reader, the oddest thing about this book, is that anyone for a second could be fooled into thinking the beast was anything besides what it was. I would have thought the book to be banned for showing characters too dumb or uneducated enough not to know what the best was. But no, a man mad that people are stealing from him is too violent. All the banners have done, is make sure people to like me continue to read and talk about this book, whenever book banning comes up. ( )

great illustrations with parts protruding out of the frame. funny story too ( )

Charming, imaginative ( )

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