‘The Monster Returns’ to the Merritt Bookstore

MILLBROOK — The monster has returned to Merritt Bookstore.Author and illustrator Peter McCarty, who wrote and illustrated the children’s book, “Jeremy Draws a Monster,” recently introduced to the Merritt bookstore his new book and sequel, “The Monster Returns.” “Jeremy Draws a Monster” is about a boy who stays inside instead of playing with the neighborhood children and draws a monster that comes to life. The monster starts to become a pain and Jeremy has to figure out a way to get rid of it.“You see Jeremy leading the monster outside,” said McCarty. “Now Jeremy is outside, so that’s the big thing. The kids see what is special here — that it brings the boy outside. Then the neighbors ask if Jeremy wants to play ball, and he says OK.” In the sequel, “The Monster Returns,” Jeremy finds out that the monster he created wants to come back and see him. Jeremy gets his neighborhood friends to help him by having them draw their own monsters that come to life as well.McCarty’s talent for drawing brings his books to life, showcasing his imagination. “The Monster Returns” will undoubtedly encourage children who read it to pick up a crayon and paper to draw their own monsters.McCarty attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City with a degree in illustrating. Some of his other books include “T is for Terrible,” “Baby Steps,” “Little Bunny on the Move” and “Moon Plane.” He also created the illustrations for “John Coy’s Night Driving.”His first book came out in 1999; he has published 11 books since then. His children’s book “Hondo and Fabian” received a Caldecott Honor in 2003 and was named the Best Illustrated Book of The Year by the New York Times.“I did really well for that year and sold a lot of books,” said McCarty. “But with that style of illustrating that I did for the older books, it takes a long time. With this newer style that I do for “The Monster Returns,” it is a lot quicker. I used to draw a lot more labor intensive, artistically special drawings that take a long time.”McCarty said he hopes with this new faster style that he can produce more books quickly. He said he always knew he wanted to be an illustrator, but didn’t expect to have a career as an author as well. McCarty said he plans to continue working on books, and hopes to make a book that can be made into a television series.McCarty’s books are available at Merritt Bookstore. The store is next expecting James Ransome and Lesa Cline-Ransome to visit on Friday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m., to share their new book, “Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass.”