The Beast of Monsieur Racine

By Tomi Ungerer. Published by Phaidon.

Hardcover, 32 pages, Colour, 1971

Monsieur Racine wakes up one day to find his precious pear tree looted of all the award-winning fruit. When he discovers that the culprit is funny-looking beast, his anger gives way to curiosity and two become friends. But the beast is not quite what it seems, eventually it comes apart-literally to show itself to be no beast at all, but the two playful children from next door, covered with skins and rags.