Poor Monty - Hardcover

Monty is a busy little boy. His mother is a doctor, so she’s always busy too. With everyone leading such busy lives, it’s hardly surprising that no one notices when Monty begins to feel unwell. Whatever can be the matter with him? Young children will easily be able to identify with Monty and his vivid imagination. Anne Fine succeeded Quentin Blake to become Britain’s second Children’s Laureate for 2001–2003. Twice voted Children’s Writer of the Year, she has written more than forty books, including The True Story of Christmas, The Jamie and Angus Stories, and Up on Cloud Nine.

Monty's mother is a doctor; after a morning seeing patients, lunch visiting the ``old folk,'' and an afternoon coping with ``forms,'' she's desperate for a few peaceful moments when she finally gets home. Monty understands, but his need is urgent: ``...suppose your head felt as if little men in steel boots were stamping on it....'' ``Mmmmm,'' says his mother. Still, his chicken-pox spots finally claim her attention, and it's Monty's turn for some of the devoted attention the rest of the world has enjoyed all day. Fine's very brief text presents this quintessential situation with sympathy and humor, wonderfully extended in Vulliamy's watercolor illustrations. From the exuberant goodbye hug they share in at the morning, there's no doubt that Monty and his mother love each other dearly and that all her patients also benefit from this busy doctor's caring concern. A charming vignette that should strike a responsive chord in many families. (Picture book. 3-8) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.