This is a charming story of wanting what you don’t have and then seeing the positive in what you have.

The illustrations of Millie and the monsters around her are charming and engaging.

The story has a positive message, well told and my 3 year old liked the story but possibly more appropriate for slightly older readers.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

The simple illustrations aid the prose in Una O’Sullivan’s Millie the Monster. Millie, the smallest in her family, can’t do so many of the things that her older monster family members can. She feels small and incapable and really wants to grow up. However, when she finds that there is something she can do because she is small, she begins to view her size differently. As children tend to do, Millie does eventually grow up, but she is more secure in herself no matter what size she is.

I, personally, probably would have given this book three stars, as I think there are better books on the topic, but my young co-reviewer thought that toddlers and preschool children would love the cute illustrations.

Strong rhymes and a simple aesthetic help sell this story of a little monster who is annoyed that she is just that – little. Patronised, ignored, and unable to reach very far, Millie is anxious to just do one thing – grow. But can a chance event change her mind about her lot? This is a world of cartoonish landscapes, fluffy things as monsters and quite birdlike creatures as the more human characters, so is perfectly suitable to very young audiences, and the successfully-sustained verse adds to the read-aloud appeal. With the very expressive facials from Millie, and the promise of further books looking at her, this deserves a strong four stars.

A very cute book! Millie is such an adorable character, and I like the overall message of accepting yourself and the things that you cannot change - especially things that are temporary in the long run - and embracing the good side of any situation.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This is a cute picture book full of simple but colorful illustrations. It starts with a letter from Millie at the beginning. It's a cute start with a nice rhyme to get the kids introduced to the story. From there, each spread has a 6-line verse. It flows nicely, with none of the rhymes seeming forced.

I really liked this story. It was very uplifting about being happy with who you are. My only criticism is that I wish Millie didn't actually grow at the end. I understand why she did, and I'm glad that she didn't grow until she was happy with herself, but it could have been great to give to children with physical disabilities or dwarfism to teach them that it's okay to be different. Still, it's a great story for small kids who wish they could be grown up. The rhyming text makes it great for a read aloud in a story time or classroom.

This would be a great read-aloud book for preschoolers! The story is told in six-line poems, but some of the rhythms tripped me up--there would be a surprise syllable or the need to change the pattern of emphasis in a phrase to make it fit the cadence. I would pre-read this a few times before reading it to students.

This would probably be a little more challenging for independent readers since the author chose unconventional phrasing to make the words fit the rhyme pattern. Also, some of the phrasing sounded like UK English ("only small", "I'd not have", etc.) which is something to be mindful of if readers have questions.

The illustrations were absolutely lovely! I liked the nods to classic Seuss in the pictures and characters. The cute, vibrant pictures would be very useful in keeping young readers engaged.

The story has a nice message about accepting and appreciating yourself for who you are and what you can do, not for what you wish to be or think you should be. Kids can always benefit from hearing that everyone has gifts to contribute.

This looks to be a first in a series, and I would definitely check out future Millie tales!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. WOW! Super cute! My daughter thought it was the best book ever! She’s also very little so it was very relatable. Millie The Monster was absolutely adorable and we will be sure to look for more adventures with Millie. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely children's story about a monster who wants to grow up quickly to be like everyone else. She feels unseen and unheard because of her difference to everyone else.
It teaches children that it might actually be ok to be small and not to feel rushed to grow up.
I read it to my 3 year old son and he was engaged throughout and thought the illustrations of Millie were very cute.
A lovely book to read with your young children.