Thanksgiving family read-aloud picture book binge.

This was the first book of the binge to actually have a story, but I was disappointed to find it bland and dull, building to a hoax and publicity stunt of which I disapproved. ( )

Hattie goes out in her canoe and encounters a lake monster. He is friendly and she calls him Hudson. Other people on the lake panic and call a meeting to get rid of him, so Hudson and Hattie cook up a plan to show them how nice he is and that he should stay. (Similar theme to The Circus Ship.)

Too much text for my 2yo, but we'll revisit later. Lovely bright blues and greens in the illustrations. ( )

loch ness monster story? it does end happily ever after ( )

Hattie loves going to the local lake and canoeing on a nice summer day. One day as she is singing, she peaks the interest of a monster that lives down in the deepest part of the lake. He never ventured close to the surface. The creature listened to her song and even joined in! As she was singing the last note, someone screamed. People pointed and some screamed at the giant monster. The creature silently slid back down into the depths of the lake. That night Hattie was worried about the creature, so she went back to the lake. She sees the creature and they become fast friends and she names him Hudson. Hattie goes to a meeting with her dad and they want to get rid of the creature. It is up to Hattie and Hudson to come up with a plan to make them see that Hudson is not a monster, but a very sweet creature. I would recommend this for anyone liking books about creatures and friendship. The photographs are bright and colorful and they keep the readers’ attention throughout the story. ( )

Out paddling on the local lake one day, Hattie begins singing a little song to herself. Little does she know that the lake monster, a massive creature who lives deep down on the lake-floor, has heard her call. Emerging from the depths, Hudson, as Hattie eventually names him, is a friendly beast who simply wants to join in her song, and make friends. Unfortunately, some of the local adults think he is a danger, and mount an effort to get rid of him. Can Hattie save her new friend...?

I've admired Chris Van Dusen's colorful artwork in Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson chapter-books, but Hattie & Hudson is the first book I have read that he both wrote and illustrated. How glad I am that I picked it up, as it is an absolute delight! The narrative is engaging and ultimately heartwarming, while the artwork is vividly colorful and immediately involving. Hattie and Hudson both make for appealing characters, and it is a pleasure to watch them cement their friendship. Recommended to all Chris van Dusen fans, and to anyone searching for fun stories about summertime adventures, and making friends with friendly monsters. ( )