Picture book - Deptford Monster

Deptford Monster

Deptford Monster is a soft, atmospheric picture book that explores empathy through a quiet, character-led narrative.

Set in a familiar urban landscape, the story follows a peculiar creature who appears after a moment of environmental disruption. Covered in grey fur and difficult to read, the monster is quickly judged by those around him. Animals and people avoid him, misunderstanding his presence as something unwanted.

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Yet the monster’s actions tell a different story. He cleans, helps, and protects, offering care in ways that often go unnoticed. As the environment recovers and life returns to normal, the monster quietly disappears. Only then do others begin to recognise his absence and reflect on how easily kindness can be overlooked.

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With a restrained text and a strong visual rhythm, the book leaves space for young readers to interpret emotion and meaning at their own pace. It invites reflection on difference, perception, and the value of quiet acts of care.

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Depttord creek's sky had become blue, and the river had turned crystal clear again. Later, humans and animals returned to their normal lives

"Look, the gray guy" Said the rabbit hiding in the grass to his human friend. "Why did I run into this stinky big feet monster again? I can't even hide from it, as if he's following me all the time, no matter where I go, he's always there!" The bunny sighed.

The monster was actually having a bad time in south London. All the animals around Creekside thought that he was smelly and dirty and kept away from him. They even blamed monster when they lost something.

The monster didn't like this situation. He always held his head curled up in somewhere. "Why does no one like me?

“Why am I so smelly and dirty?"

The monster craves people and animals to understand him and help him clean up the dirty things on his body. So he helped people, he helped them with housework, cleaned their rooms, and cleaned up the trash.

Monster took care of those little animals and helped them drive away the bad guys who wanted to bully them.

One day, no one could find the monster. They went to Deptford creek, went to Greenwich, and went to many places...but still couldn’t find monster.

"Monster monster, why don’t you come out and play with me?” the rabbit called.

“We miss you Monster...”

Depttord creek's sky had become blue, and the river had turned crystal clear again. Later, humans and animals returned to their normal lives.

Like the monster never existed.