Do you have any monster fans at home? From a budding friendship between a young girl and a fast-growing sea creature, to a monster math-whiz, and a feisty little girl who discovers the beasts she’s hunting may not be so scary after all, this monster-ific group of books is sure to entertain any little ones obsessed with all things clawed or scaly. And after reading, be sure to check out the fun resources and activities for these titles on our website!
Lula and the Sea Monster
Written and illustrated by Alex Latimer
Lula loves living by the beach, but her family must leave their home to make way for a new highway. Counting down the days to her move, Lula walks along the beach to find keepsakes and discovers something much more valuable than a souvenir. Lula makes friends with a small sea monster that she names Bean. Each day Lula returns to the beach to feed him. And each day Bean grows bigger and bigger. But what will happen to Lula’s new friend once she moves away?
From popular children’s book author-illustrator Alex Latimer comes a delightfully odd story of nurturing friendship and standing up for others.
The Monster Who Ate My Peas
Written by Danny Schnitzlein
Illustrated by Matt Faulkner
The hero of this clever story absolutely hates eating peas, so decides to find a solution: he makes a bargain with a fiendishly funny monster. At first the deal is simple: the monster will eat the boy’s peas in exchange for his soccer ball. But the monster begins to demand more and more and, eventually, our hero faces a daunting decision—can he conquer his loathing for peas or will he lose his most prized possession?
Matt Faulkner’s uproariously detailed illustrations and Danny Schnitzlein’s Seuss-inspired verse combine to create an entertaining story about how far we are willing to go to avoid doing the things we hate.
Dive deeper into important themes of courage and responsibility with this teacher’s guide.
The Monster Who Did My Math
Written by Danny Schnitzlein
Illustrated by Bill Mayer
A math-phobic boy faces another dreaded evening of multiplication when a monster suddenly appears in his room and offers him a deal he cannot refuse. After a quick signature on a contract, the boy’s problems are solved, and his homework is ready to turn in the next day. At first, everything adds up perfectly. But when the boy’s math knowledge is tested at school, his troubles begin to multiply. What did the fine print on that contract read? And when the bill comes, will our hero have the money―and the math skill―to subtract that wicked monster from his life once and for all?
Young readers are sure to relate to this laugh-out-loud story, and they’ll love flipping through the wacky illustrations that bring this math- and monster-filled tale to life.
Bo the Brave
Written and illustrated by Bethan Woollvin
Once, there lived a little girl called Bo. Bo wanted to be just like her brothers and capture a fearsome monster, but her brothers say she’s too small. But Bo isn’t one to take no for an answer, so she sets off on a quest to catch a monster of her own. Can she defeat the furious griffin, conquer the hideous kraken, and triumph over the monstrous dragon? Or has Bo got the wrong idea who the real monsters are?
Author-illustrator Bethan Woollvin, the creator of the New York Times Best Illustrated Little Red, employs her signature style in this original fairy tale with a clever twist. Readers are sure to fall in love with Woollvin’s newest vibrant and sassy protagonist.
The Library Dragon
Written by Carmen Agra Deedy
Illustrated by Michael P. White
When Sunrise Elementary School advertised for a thick-skinned librarian with a burning love of books, Miss Lotta Scales knew she was perfect for the job. Who could guard books better than a REAL dragon? But she won’t let any of the children take a book from the shelves, and not even sweet Miss Lemon can convince Miss Lotta Scales that “the library belongs to the children.” Fortunately, nearsighted Molly Brickmeyer’s storytelling beckons the children back to the library and brings them face to face with the Library Dragon. Can an open book temper the flames of the school’s hotheaded librarian?
This humorous tale by New York Times best-selling author Carmen Agra Deedy is paired with Michael P. White’s lively illustrations for an entertaining story about the power and importance of books for both children and adults.
Use this teacher’s guide to spark further discussion about books and the importance of libraries.
13 Monsters Who Should Be Avoided
Written by Kevin Shortsleeve
Illustrated by Michael Austin
Come along with Professor LeGrand as he warns readers about the outrageous habits and appalling behavior of thirteen mischievous monsters whom the creature teacher hopes the readers never have to meet. Monster enthusiasts, be sure to beware the…
- Scarce Sissyfoos: They live in dark wells by old country roads and dine on wet sneakers and unlucky toads.
- Mess Monsters: They should not be let in; they’ll paint pudding pie murals depicting a pig, stick bubble-gum wads in your aunt’s silver wig.
- Hedge-Standing Snit: Be extremely careful while clipping your hedges―don’t snip a Snit’s hair with your clipper edges, for a fit-throwing Snit can be greatly unkind, and won’t be content until he’s bit your behind!