Monsters are a total treat for kids. They turn up in stories and fairy tales all over the world, give kids thrilling yet safe shivers, help them work out real fears and anxieties, and empower them in the same way that dinosaurs do. The Big Book of Monsters revels in this magic appeal and delivers an unparalleled compendium of 25 of the creepiest, most wicked and dreadful creatures found in classic literature. Every monster is brought to life first in a full-size, full-color portrait that captures the essence of the beast, and in lively text that recounts the story, and rates each monster on the Scare-o-Meter. Sidebars explore the source texts, giving readers a geniunely exciting introduction to literary genres and history, and making this book especially valuable for reluctant readers.