WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT? An ingenious hybrid of enlightening factoids about animals and insects living in the delightful, fictional world of Five Star Land, Story Monster and Friends entices little ones to learn more about the world around them. As kids color whimsical illustrations extracted from award-winning children's books and read the words of internationally acclaimed children's nature and science writer, Conrad J. Storad, their young minds are primed for the wonders of literature. The 36-page coloring book's central character is Story Monster, a.k.a. "Little Greenie," a friendly green being who "devours stories of all kinds" and guides children from cover to cover. Its mission: to turn children into ravenous readers by introducing them to a variety of real-life creatures they will surely want to investigate to further.

WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK UNIQUE? Story Monster and Friends is the combined efforts of five highly praised artists: Jeff Yesh, creator of the Story Monster character; Michael Hagelberg; Nathaniel P. Jensen; Nadia Komorova; and Alex Lopez. Their art literally jumps off the pages of favorite Little Five Star books to pique the interest of young readers. In addition to engaging illustrations that beg to be filled in with crayons, markers or colored pencils, Story Monster and Friends includes information about each of the Little Five Star books featured so young readers will know where to go to discover more about the animals and insects they've taken a liking to while coloring.