Thursday, October 10, 2019

Ten Monstrously Great Kid Books!

Halloween has never been my favorite holiday. I don't like creepy costumes, or haunted houses, or spooky stories or candy corn. But since becoming a parent, I'm starting to enjoy Halloween more and more. I've found that costumes can be cute instead of creepy and the decorations can be fun instead of spooky. And books! There are so many great cute-not scary Halloween picture books out there, too many for just one list. This is a list of our favorite picture books about monsters, which are great for Halloween or year-round!

1. The Monster's Monster by Patrick McDonald. Grouch, Grump and Gloom 'n Doom are three little monsters with attitude! They each want to be the biggest, baddest monster around. One day, they decide to combine their forces and create the biggest, baddest monster EVER! When their creation is complete, they can't wait for Monster to terrorize the village. But Monster doesn't care about being the biggest, baddest monster. He is just happy to be alive and teaches his little friends to have a little less attitude and a little more gratitude with two important words: "DANK YOU!"

2. Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberly. This classic peek-hole book has been delighting kids for almost three decades. Kids love watching the monster appear with each page turn...first his yellow eyes, then the bluish-greenish nose, then the sharp white teeth. But the best part is when they get to tell the monster to "go away!" one piece at a time. This a great book for empowering kids to face their fears.

3. Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems. My book lists just can't be complete without at least one Mo Willems book! Leonardo is a little monster who can't seem to scare anyone, no matter how hard he tries. He does some research and finds the most scaredy-cat kid in the world: Sam. Leonardo can't wait to scare the tuna salad out of him! But when he goes to scare Sam, Leonardo decides that maybe being a good friend is more important than being the scariest monster.

4. Fright Club by Ethan Long. Only the scariest monsters are allowed to join the Fright Club. So when a cute little bunny asks to join the club before Halloween, the monsters shut the door in his face. The monsters learn that you don't have to be big or have fangs to make good monster! This book has a great message of inclusion and I love illustrations with the cute big-eyed monsters!

5. Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere. "Do you ever wonder if somewhere, not too far away, there are monsters? Because just supposing there are monsters, do you think that this monster might be licking his lips and thinking about...you?" When my son was two, we checked this book out from the library and he kept looking at me nervously and saying, "He's not coming to our house, right mom? He's not really coming, right?" But when we got to the end and found out that the monster just wanted a bedtime kiss, he loved the book and wanted to read it over and over again. This book has just the right touch of scary mixed with a heavy dose of silly!

6. Love Monster by Rachel Bright. All the other creatures in Cutesville are cute and cuddly, and everyone loves cute and cuddly things. No one loves a strange-looking, googly-eyed monster. Will Monster find someone who loves him just as he is? This is another monster book that is more sweet than scary, and I love the bold ink-print illustrations!

7. Crankenstein by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Dan Santat. Beware of Crankenstein! You might find him on wet, rainy days or when it's way too hot, even for popsicles. You'll definitely see him when it's time for bed. But will Crankenstein stay cranky forever? This book is tons of fun to read aloud with all the monster "mehhhr" noises, and I absolutely love Dan Santat's distinctive illustrations.

8. The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone. No monster book list would be complete without this classic! This was one of my childhood favorites, and now I love reading it to my kids. They can't help but giggle with delight when Grover explicitly tells them to "stop turning pages!" and they keep doing it anyway...even knocking down a brick wall. This is one monster book that will never get old!

9. Nibbles: The Book Monster by Emma Yarlett. Nibbles the monster loves to chomp everything but especially books! When he chews his way out of his own book and into other stories, hilarity ensues! Emma Yarlett's detailed illustrations are stellar and the flaps and peek-holes in this book make it extra fun!

10. Ginny Goblin Is Not Allowed to Open this Box by David Goodner, illustrated by Louis Thomas. Ginny Goblin has a box, but she is not allowed to open it until dinnertime. But she is determined to open that box, even if it's on the highest shelf in the tallest tower. Nothing will stop Ginny Goblin! This adorable story about persistence will pique kids' curiosity and hold their attention until the very end as they wonder, "What is in that box?!"

What are your favorite Halloween picture books?

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