School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Albert wants to prove that his lovable pet monster is the best pet in the world, so he enters Sidney in a televised competition. The categories are hairiest warts, highest hover, most parasites, smelliest farts, and hottest breath. Whichever creature receives the most points will win. Sidney does terribly and loses every round. Although Albert is initially embarrassed, he realizes that some contests aren't worth winning, and, in the end, he's happy to have such a great pet and to set a new record for "Worst in Show." The pencil and paint cartoons are digitally colored and depict a television studio brimming with activity and details. Overall, a fun and pleasing tale.-Laura Hunter, Mount Laurel Library, NJ (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Albert enters his pet monster into the Best Pet Monster in the World Competition, but Sidney is too clean, kind, and timid to win any of the categories and instead is awarded Worst in Show. The conceit is silly and offbeat, and the story follows a vague pattern for each contest category. The illustrations have an old-timey vibe with hints of Sendak's influence. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Can Sidney win the Best Pet Monster in the World! competition? His best friendcertainly thinks so. Sidney the monster is shaggy and pear-shaped and looks to be about 7 feet tall. His owner, Albert, a sober-looking lad in short pants and huge eyeglasses, decides to prove Sidney's excellence by entering him in the contest. Sidney competes against an array of other monsters in multiple categories: "Hairiest Warts," "Highest Hover," "Most Parasites," "Smelliest Fart" and, finally, "Hottest Breath." Sidney has a bath every other day, so he has no warts, just a few freckles. He's scared of heights, so hovering is out of the question, and he only has two parasitesStan and Ollie, just visiting the top of his head. They're tourists, really. And so it goes. Because he eats cupcakes and cookies, Sidney's fart is a sugary whiff. And his breath is merely warm, unlike the fiery exhalations of the other competitors. He finishes last in every category, setting a new record for "Worst in Show" (depicted in an enormous fold-out four-page spread). Albert might be embarrassed, but instead he's proud to have such a big, cuddly, lovable best friend. The winning message never obscures the book's fun. Hindley's deliciously detailed illustrations, in pencil and paint, digitally colored, bring Bee's story to boisterous life. The affection between Albert and mild-mannered Sidney is palpable.Just sublime. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
