Sharkey, Niamh. The Ravenous Beast. Illustrated by Niamh Sharkey. Candelwick Press, 2003. ISBN 076362182X. $16.99. 32 pp. Reviewer: Marsha D. Broadway Reading Level: Toddler, Preschool Rating: Excellent Genre: Fantasy fiction; Subject: Hunger--Juvenile Fiction; Animals--Juvenile Fiction; Monsters--Juvenile Fiction; Books-Reviews; Hungry animals from mouse to elephant describe their hunger and what they will eat. Nibble! Gnaw! Gulp! Slurp! Munch! Squish! Squash! They eat until the Ravenous Beast GOBBLES them up and SWALLOWS them down. This not-too-frightening scary story with bold illustrations, silly words, and comic repetitions will keep young ones asking for it to be read again and again. An excellent choice for beginning storytellers.
