My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things [Paperback]

Judith Viorst (Author), Kay Chorao (Illustrator)

Book Description

How can Nick believe his mother's telling him there aren't any monsters when she forgets what his favorite flavor of ice cream is? Or when she makes him wear boots and it doesn't even rain?

Well, sometimes Mamas do make mistakes...but sometimes they don't.

Judith Viorst's appealing text combines with Kay Chorao's wickedly evocative drawings in this all-new edition of a favorite book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

MY MAMA SAYS...

Maybe there isn't any mean-eyed monster with long slimy hair and pointy claws going scritchyscratch, scritchy-scritchy-scratch outside his window. And maybe there isn't a Thing in his yard, coming to swallow him up. His Mama says there positively aren't. But...sometimes even Mamas make mistakes.

Yes, once she said there wasn't any cream cheese for his sandwich, and then he found it underneath the lettuce. And once she said his tooth would fall out Thursday, and then it stayed till Sunday after lunch. And once he told her chocolate nut and she brought back rum raisin. Yes...sometimes even Mamas make mistakes.

And so, when his Mama says that no creature is reaching out its hand, to pinch him or squinch him or push him or squush him or worse, can he believe her?

For lots of times a Mama makes mistakes.

But when it comes to demons and fiends and other bedtime terrors, sometimes even Mamas can be trusted. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Judith Viorst was born and brought up in New Jersey, graduated from Rutgers University, moved to Greenwich Village, and has lived in Washington, D.C., since 1960, when she married Milton Viorst, a political writer. They have three sons and seven grandchildren. Viorst writes in many different areas: science books, children's picture books, adult fiction and non-fiction, poetry for children and adults, and three musicals, which are still performed on stages around the country. She is best known for her beloved picture book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; 2 edition (October 31, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689712049
• ISBN-13: 978-0689712043
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Obsessions > Monsters

More About the Author

Judith Viorst has written many books for children, including the classics Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and its sequels, and If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Stories. She is also the author of Just in Case, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal. She lives with her husband, Milton, in Washington D.C.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mama Says..., November 14, 2000

By 

V. Charbonneau (Quebec, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things (Paperback)

Ever since I read "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day", I always wanted to pick up another book by Judith Viorst. This book is it and does not disappoint. A little boy, Nick, is convinced that there are monsters, vampires and other night creatures out to get him. His mother tells him there aren't any. But Nick is not so sure, especially since his mother is wrong about so many other things, such as there being no more cream cheese left when it is really hiding under the lettuce; him being able to carry the heavy bag with the eggs in it when he can't; and telling him his crayons are on the top shelf when in fact they are not. Just as Alexander said: "It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day", little Nick says: "So...sometimes even mamas make mistakes." However there are some things mamas are right about. The black and white illustrations by Kay Chorano are great and I especially like the way she draws the various monsters---very unusual, fantastic and scary. Children who are certain there is something lurking under their bed will enjoy this book and its comforting ending.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book to share with your children; affirms children, May 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Demons, Monsters, Fiend (My Mama Says There Arent Any CL) (Hardcover)

A terrific book to share with your children. Builds relationships as it acknowledges that even Mothers make mistakes. I'm the mother of a 19-, 14- and 6-year old. They have each roared in laughter as we have shared this book! It's pure fun, but also teaches a fundamental lesson - that we are all fallible!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fearless Female Brought Up With This Book, May 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things (Paperback)

This was my FAVORITE book when I was little. The monsters did creep into my dreams, but the theme of the book is that Mom, though she did sometimes make mistakes, was the strongest around. I mean, heck, she could scare away monsters!
I still to this day admire my mom's strength that I began to imitate since this book showed me that women, even single mamas who aren't always perfect, can be fearless and strong! I would never have done all of the good things in my life if I hadn't stood up to the 'monsters' of the world. College, travel and love are all scary things to enter, but SO worth the effort and THAT is what this book is about to me!
Thanks Mom.
Love Kassimo.