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I Need My Monster [Hardcover]

Amanda Noll , Howard McWilliam
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)

List Price: $16.95
Price: $12.85 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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2013 Children's Book Award Winners
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Book Description

April 1, 2009 5 - 8 years490L (What's this?)

Scholastic Book Club Selection

 

Alabama Camellia Award list, 2010-11, K-1 category

 

A unique monster-under-the-bed story with the perfect balance of giggles and shivers, this picture book relies on the power of humor over fear, appeals to a child’s love for creatures both alarming and absurd, and glorifies the scope of a child’s imagination. One night, when Ethan checks under his bed for his monster, Gabe, he finds a note from him instead: "Gone fishing. Back in a week." Ethan knows that without Gabe’s familiar nightly scares he doesn't stand a chance of getting to sleep, so Ethan interviews potential substitutes to see if they've got the right equipment for the job—pointy teeth, sharp claws, and a long tail—but none of them proves scary enough for Ethan. When Gabe returns sooner than expected from his fishing trip, Ethan is thrilled. It turns out that Gabe didn't enjoy fishing because the fish scared too easily.


Frequently Bought Together

I Need My Monster + When a Dragon Moves In + The Egg
Price for all three: $30.17

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  • When a Dragon Moves In $11.03
  • The Egg $6.29


Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Noll turns the tables on monster fears by introducing readers to Ethan, a little boy who can’t fall asleep without the ragged breathing and claw-scratching of his favorite monster, Gabe. But Gabe has left a note that he’s gone fishing, so Ethan knocks on his floor to summon a series of substitute ghoulies. Herbert, a horned green thing in a vest, doesn’t even have claws. And Ralph, a four-eyed, six-armed blob, has claws, but they’re painted and manicured. And Cynthia—well, no hard feelings, but a boy wants a boy monster, not a girl. Noll’s slyly humorous text is a suitably wry counterpoint to McWilliam’s dark-hued, exaggerated paintings of the bobble-headed Ethan and his alternately scary and silly beasts. The entire effort strikes a nice balance between creepy and comforting, but especially endearing is Gabe’s early return home as he huddles beneath the bed like a faithful dog and says, “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to start the evening with an ominous puddle of drool.” That’s friendship for you. Grades K-2. --Daniel Kraus

Review

"Dramatic in perspective, McWilliam's exaggerated, digitally colored art renders the monsters in a spectrum of neon hues and outlandish shapes. The collaborators ably balance some bedtime chills with humor, and Ethan's enthusiasm for his monster should prove infectious."  —Publishers Weekly



"A fun nighttime read for those who enjoy a bit of shiver as they are tucked in to bed . . . a great read-aloud for a slightly older audience at a night-themed story hour."  —School Library Journal


"Noll turns the tables on monster fears by introducing readers to Ethan, a little boy who can’t fall asleep without the ragged breathing and claw-scratching of his favorite monster, Gabe."  —Booklist



"A clever anxiety-defuser and an unusually well done double-debut."  —Kirkus Reviews



"A perfect read-aloud for squirmy youngsters, especially boys . . . exquisitely creepy, perfect for. . .  all monster-lovers."  —The Sacramento Bee


"Between the simple hilarity of the story itself and the amazing, gorgeous illustrations, I Need My Monster is a brilliant piece of picture book work."  —A Patchwork of Books


"A must read for any discerning monster lover. A perfect bedtime companion. I'm keeping one copy on the nightstand, and one under the bed!"  —Edward Hemingway, author, Bump in the Night



"The same kids who loved Neil Gaiman's The Wolves in the Walls are sure to appreciate I Need My Monster too. Highly recommended."  —Monster Librarian.com


Product Details

  • Age Range: 5 - 8 years
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Flashlight Press; First Edition edition (April 1, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0979974623
  • ISBN-13: 978-0979974625
  • Product Dimensions: 10 x 0.5 x 10 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Great for any child scared of monsters. kmiller  |  23 reviewers made a similar statement
Very very fun to read and great illustrations also. S. Martin  |  21 reviewers made a similar statement
The print is so small on my kindle fire with no way to enlarge it. mama24  |  9 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I need more kids books like this! June 12, 2009
Format:Hardcover
A lot of what I have to say is the same as everyone else, but I feel so strongly about it that I have to repeat it. This story is based on such a well-known childhood myth, but is at the same time so creative, that I am amazed everytime we read it at our house. Additionally, as mentioned by others, the illustrations are beautiful, Disney-Pixar-esque. I really believe that I like this story more than my boys right now! Our sons are 4 and 2 and even though my little one will sit still for any story, it is definitely a little old for him. My 4 year old is just starting to get interested after a few weeks of reading it. So, 4 years and up is probably ideal for this book. I keep them interested by using different voices for the different monsters and really exaggerate when I am reading the boy Ethan's parts. This book is truly joyful, and my intent when I bought it was to eliminate the possibility that my worry-wart of a 4 year old would decide to be scared of monsters (he tends to get ahold of an idea and not let go and deciding to be scared of monsters under the bed seemed right up his alley.) Now that we have this story and he giggles about it, I know he will not develop that particular fear. I am so glad we bought this book. Buy it for yourself as well as your kids, it's always nice to enjoy what you are reading to them!
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars At first I was nervous... June 20, 2009
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
At first I thought this book might instill bedtime fears. My little guy has never complained of being in the dark or been afraid of monsters, and admittedly, I was nervous to read this book to him. I couldn't have been more wrong. He LOVES this book. He anticipates the different personalities of the monsters and their different quirks. His favorite part is when one of the monsters, Mack, with the big fat tongue hanging out, threatens to lick Ethan, the main character. Toooo funny!

I would highly recommend this book for kids 4-7 who enjoy a delightful scare and have a goofy sense of humor.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars My Boys LOVE This Book!! March 29, 2009
Format:Hardcover
This is a great story for those who struggle to find stories to keep their little ones(in my case boys) entertained all the way to the end of the book. They say the best childrens books are the ones that keep both the parent and the child entertained, this book surely does that. The text and illlustrations work so well together to peak the imaginations of my boys. No need to worry about this book being too scary the author has made this a great story of an unusual friendship.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book
My 5 year old loves this book. It's a cute story with great illustrations and durable pages. Great read aloud
Published 14 days ago by Sarah Pappas
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read aloud
Thus "monster" book was in great condition. It is a tremendous read aloud for young children or to use in the classroom!
Published 23 days ago by Colleen Geffe-Dahle
5.0 out of 5 stars A Review by Braedan D.
I Need My Monster is about a boy who needs his monster to get to sleep. Substitute monsters fill in for Gabe his original monster. Read more
Published 1 month ago
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
This book is brilliant! I bought it for my 4 year old daughter and she loves it. We read it every night. I was worried it might scare her a little, but it didn't. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ashleykay1988
2.0 out of 5 stars It's not just the gender problem.
I'm glad to see some other reviewers have spotted one of the same issues I would like to take this a bit further. Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Gillette
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
My four year old adores this book, we read it several times a week. The illustrations in particular are wonderful. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jessica Norris
5.0 out of 5 stars Monster book
I haven't had time to read this book yet, when my Grandson is born i will have pleny of time to read it to him.
Published 2 months ago by Tim Cushman Sr.
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
This is a great book for little ones and for big kids great pictures but the writing was kind of small to read.
Published 2 months ago by Thomas's mom
4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet kids story; especially if your kiddie has a monster problem.
Help your kids love his monster under the bed. My kids on occasion do have a fear of scary things in the dark, but it's not "monsters" because I've used that term for... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kelley Reid
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for kids!
The kids love this book! Fun monsters and great illustrations make this a fun read for the whole family! Grrr!
Published 3 months ago by L. Mcpeck
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