Jeremy Draws a Monster [Hardcover]

Peter McCarty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009 | Age Level: 3 and up

Alone in his room, Jeremy draws amonster. But then themonster wants lunch! As his creation takes over, Jeremy begins to wonder how he will ever get rid of themonstrous nuisance.He entertains his unwanted guest all day, but enough is enough. Jeremy finally draws him a bus ticket out of town!

With a sure artistic touch and more than a dose of humor, Peter McCarty cleverly blurs the line between his own drawings and Jeremy’s, and in doing so subtly questions the line between reality and imagination.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 1—In the tradition of Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon (HarperCollins, 1955), McCarty delivers a character who draws objects to life. This story, however, has a modern touch and an interesting psychological twist. Readers meet Jeremy, a blond, spike-haired boy garbed in a pink-striped shirt emblazoned with a large 3, alone in his third-floor apartment, gazing at a group of children playing ball below. The text reads, "He had his very own room. He never left. He never went outside." But Jeremy does have a fancy pen, and one day he conjures up a robust blue monster that, in short order, demands a sandwich, a checkerboard, a television, and a hot dog, which Jeremy and his pen quickly supply. Soon the novelty wears off and when the monster demands a hat because he is "going out," Jeremy is relieved to see him go. The monster returns, but Jeremy takes charge and when he departs for good, the neighborhood children gather—"Do you want to play ball?" they ask, and indeed Jeremy does. McCarty matches his understated story with both black-and-white and color illustrations that flow loosely across ample white space; the openness of the images gives just the right feel to the tale. The monster is not particularly scary, and the balance of power, which comes not from might but from Jeremy's ingenuity, is the book's strength. Both story and illustration leave lots of room for speculation and discussion; children will love to pore over the endpapers, as well.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA END

Review

“Tired of having only imaginary companions, Jeremy seeks out real friends, in this marvelous and comic tale of the consolations and limits of our imaginations.”—New York Times Book Review

“With simplicity and quiet depth, a boy creates a challenge and meets it… Neat and unassuming.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Both story and illustration leave lots of room for speculation and discussion; children will love to pore over the endpapers, as well.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review

“The finely rendered pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations skillfully delineate characters and objects, which stand out against full-page white spaces, most impressively with the blue, blobby, squiggly, horned monster himself. A topnotch Harold and the Purple Crayon for a new generation.”—Booklist

“[An] inventive story with fabulous illustrations.”—San Francisco Chronicle

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805069348
• ISBN-13: 978-0805069341
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

PETER MCCARTY is the author and illustrator of many books for children, including Fabian Escapes, Moon Plane, and T Is for Terrible, as well as Hondo & Fabian, a Caldecott Honor Book. He lives with his family in upstate New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was a comical little story that will tickle little funny bones!, December 4, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jeremy Draws a Monster (Hardcover)

Jeremy was peeking out the window of his apartment on the third floor of a brick building. He never left his own room, but he could see the children playing down below. He had drawn pictures of a cat, a dog, a bunny and an airplane and he decided to take "out his fancy pen" and began to draw a monster. He started near the top of the ceiling, down the wall and across the floor. He took his "fancy pen" drew and drew and filled it in. A few spikes on the head, wide spaced eyes, a cute nose, short arms and legs, a number three on its tummy and a spiked tail and he was done. Or so he thought, because the monster had different ideas!

The monster wanted a sandwich and so Jeremy began to draw again. He gulped it up and was totally rude because he "did not say thank you." He wanted a toaster, a record player, a checkerboard and a comfortable chair. Those crayons were whirling to keep up with the requests. Next he wanted a television. Of course when you have one you need a hot dog. On and on went the monster, getting ruder by the minute. "Are you going to sit there all day? Draw me a hat. I'm going out!" It was nice to have a monster, but this was getting ridiculous. How was he going to get rid of this big pest?

This was a comical little story that will tickle little funny bones. I've heard of things like Build a Bear and when Jeremy built his own monster with his crayon it was totally novel and fun. I liked the quick progression of the story. The more things the monster wanted, the sillier it got. The artwork was simple, childlike and very appealing. Monsters can sometimes be seen as scary things, but this one was just a pest, a fact that won't be lost on the parent of a fearful child. If you have an imaginative youngster that would like to have his or her funny bone tickled, this might be one you should consider!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, beautiful, entertaining., September 15, 2009

By 

kwmain "Scarlet's Mom" (SF Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jeremy Draws a Monster (Hardcover)

Unique, beautifully rendered illustrations and a simple, sweet and funny storyline make this book one of our new favorites to read with our 1-year old daughter. It will entertain readers of all ages (even 36+, as the monster's quirky demands leave me giggling each time we read it). Perfect length for bedtime, too.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun book to read!, May 16, 2010

By 

Emma Stewart "Emma Stewart, Author of "Th... (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jeremy Draws a Monster (Hardcover)

I have read this book to my 3 year-old preschool class twice and they love it! I love reading it tot hem too! It's funny, not too wordy and has lessons hidden in there too (saying thank you and how to make friends). Looking forward to reading it again.