Maggie and the Monster [Library Binding]

Elizabeth Winthrop (Author), Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1987 | Age Level: 4 and up

Maggie wants to get rid of the monster that visits her room every night and accepts her mother's suggestion to simply ask the monster what it wants.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A little-girl monster visits Maggie's room at night. She's a nuisance. She bangs open the door, pushes her hairy feet along the floor and sits in a chair and sighs. Maggie complains to her mom; she hangs a "Monsters Keep Out" sign on her door, but nothing works. Finally Maggie asks her what she wants. "I'm looking for my mother," the monster replies. The girl helpfully directs her to the other monster who lives in the hall closet. "She has big hairy feet just like you," Maggie says. A grand reunion ensues; Maggie gets a good night's sleep. Winthrop's Maggie is a spunky and confident kid who'll surely inspire other youngsters to face their fears. DePaola's full-color illustrations add sly humor to this picture-book mystery. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3 Maggie is faced with a mystery, and with the help of her mother she solves it. A grumpy little-girl monster with hairy feet comes to Maggie's room every night, disturbing Maggie's sleep. Maggie puts a sign on her door to ward off the monster, but the little monster pays no heed. She finally discovers that the monster has lost her mother. Maggie's keen observation that there is another monster with hairy feet hiding behind the brooms in the upstairs closet pays off, and mother and daughter monsters are reunited. This happy blending of story and pictures is totally satisfying and delightful. Maggie is fearless and enterprising; her character is portrayed with an economy of both language and line. The endearing little monster, who has a bow on her few upright hairs, big ears, and buck teeth, will scare no one, and her reunion with her look-alike mother, who wears curlers and carries a violet pocketbook, is a relief to all. Maggie's self-possession and bravery should inspire young readers. Leda Schubert, Grand Avenue School, Uniondale, N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (May 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823406393
• ISBN-13: 978-0823406395
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,413,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ELIZABETH WINTHROP is the author of over fifty works of fiction for all ages.

Her most recent historical novel, COUNTING ON GRACE has been chosen as a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association, the National Council of Social Studies, the International Reading Association and the Children's Book Council among others. The novel has also been nominated for state book awards in Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri,Indiana, Hawaii and Arizona.

Elizabeth has published more than fifty books for readers of all ages. THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC, nominated for twenty-three state book awards is currently under option to Walden Media.

Her popular picture books include DUMPY LA RUE, SHOES,DOG SHOW, SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE and most recently, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING and THE BIGGEST PARADE. Two of her recent books for older children are THE RED-HOT RATTOONS, a comic fantasy novel and DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, Letters from a Milltown Girl, a work of historical fiction set in western Massachusetts.

Elizabeth is also the author of two novels for adults, IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE and ISLAND JUSTICE. She is currently at work on a memoir.

The daughter of the journalist, Stewart Alsop,she divides her time between New York City and the Berkshires.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book solved all of our "scary" issues., November 4, 1999

By 

E. Woods (Washington state) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maggie and the Monster (Library Binding)

I am really shocked. I have tried book after book to help my 4 year old daughter get over the fear of monsters in her room. I decided to give Maggie and the Monster a try. It looked cute and sounded helpful. This book is an unbelievable tool. I can't believe it. We have had the book a week and my daughter hasn't not cried or complained that their are monsters in her room since. She loves the story and says it is her favorite book. She carries it with her everywhere. What a delightful story that shows the child with a little encouragement from mom, she can solve her own problems and feel good about it in the end. Very empowering for children. I am so thankful for this story. I still can't get over the confidence it helped my daughter gain. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone but especially for children with nightime fears. My seven year old son even thought the story was funny and entertaining. He wants to borrow it to share with his class.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gives children the power over their fear of monsters!!, January 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Maggie and the Monster (Library Binding)

This book, hands down, has been all three of my childrens favorite! It tremendously helped calm the inevitable fear of monsters in the bedroom. Maggie showed no fear in telling that monster to get out of her room, yet had no trouble rolling over and going to sleep when it refused to leave. She handled the problem on her own,with reassurance from her mother. This book was the best help I could have had when each of my kids reached the stage when they needed to learn that they had the power!(It also inspired me to name my third child Maggie!!)

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, June 16, 2010

By 

SwimMom (Great North) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maggie and the Monster (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful little book! Not only does it help to squelch monster fears in a sweet way (priceless!) but it is simple enough for an older sibling (ie, 1st grader) to read the book to the younger ones. The mother/daughter monster duo is adorable...guaranteed smiles!