A little monster wandering the woods greets almost everything he passes in a ho-hum kind of way. “Hello, tree. Hello, clouds. Hello, butterfly. Hello – Bunnies!!!” The monster’s sudden and riotous happiness at encountering a group of four rabbits is matched by the bunnies’ terror, and they quickly flee. “Bunnies? ... Noooo bunnies,” the monster notes dejectedly. This pattern repeats itself several times, the little monster growing sadder and sadder each time the bunnies run away until they realize the monster just wants to be friends. All is well for bunnies and monster alike. But what’s that over there? “Birdies!” Toddlers won’t be able to resist this lovable little monster in a picture book that alternates understatement with enthusiasm and invites participation. The illustrations set brightly colored characters against a palette suggesting the natural world. (Ages 2–4)