When a Monster Is Born

There are so many children's books, sad to say it's not often we came across a good one. Once a while, you will find a book not only captures the interest of your little one, but also puts a grin on your face. This is one of those books. My 4-year-old and I love this book, it's clever and funny. As soon as we finish reading it for the first time, my son asked me to read it again.

This is a very cute story and a great way of introduction the idea of choices and consequences to young minds! My boys (3 and 4) ask for this one again and again.

My seven- and three-year-old children and I love this very imaginative book! The format is that there are always two possible scenarios for each situation. If one happens, the consequence is simply, "that's that." If it's the other, "then there are two possibilities." In this case, "When a monster is born, there are two possibilities. Either it's a far away in the forest monster or it's an under your bed monster. If it's a far away in the forest monster, that's that. If it's an under your bed monster, there are two possibilities..." And so on. Lots of giggles are guaranteed and, at least with my children, the story is not over when you close the book.

As a children's librarian, I have used "When a Monster Is Born" several times for storytime. Kids seem to really respond to the "two possibilities" concept, and I ALWAYS get lots of laughter when I get to the part about the monster falling in love. Teachers or librarians would do well to use this hilarious gem of a book for Halloween or monster themed story hours. It would also make an excellent do it yourself project for kids to create their own outrageous possibilities.

Reviewed by Three Silly Chicks - Readers, Writers, and Reviewers of funny books for kids. When a monster is born, there are two possibilities-- Either it's a faraway-in-the-forests monster, or it's an under-your-bed monster. If it's a faraway-in-the-forests monster, that's that. But if it's an under-your-bed monster... Well, you'll just have to see for yourself what an under-your-bed-monster does. All kinds of fascinating and silly things can happen when a monster is born. For instance, it can go to school with you, eat your principal, dance the boogie-woogie, or fall in love with a kitchen girl. Yes, readers, those are some of the possibilities in Sean Taylor's new crazy-fun picture book. Each page explores a choice for a monster in modern-day life and then takes it to an absurd extreme. We think this is a brilliant read aloud. Kids will have such fun guessing what that tricky monster will do next! Nick Sharratt cleverly uses a black background to reinforce the monster's more dastardly choices, reinforcing the "good choice, bad choice" theme. Bold, graphic and goofy, this book will bring a smile to little monsters everywhere!