A Monster in The House (Hardcover)

~ (Author, Artist)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this chipper picture book, a girl welcomes a new kid to the neighborhood by regaling him with tales of the monster who lives in her house. She paints a gooey picture of a creature who yells for "special monster milk and smushed-up bananas" and smears his food on everything he touches. He spits up, drools and sucks his toes, too. After spinning a sufficiently captivating yarn, the girl comes clean about the monster's true identity: it's her messy and demanding (but much-loved) baby brother. Kleven (The Puddle Pail) honestly portrays the mixed feelings of affection and annoyance that siblings often have for one another, and her playful descriptions and teasing tone depict realistic exchanges between two new friends. The monster's appearance changes in the boy's imagination as the girl offers more details, but Kleven keeps up the suspense, with the visual revelation of the infant sibling only at story's end. She incorporates yarn, fabric and torn- and cut-paper accents into her pencil-and-gouache illustrations; the effect is a cheerful hodgepodge of color and texture, much like the pleasant disorder that children bring to a household. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-The age-old subject of a new baby in the house is deftly handled in this winning combination of lively art and childlike text. The story begins as a young girl observes a new family moving in next door and spies a potential playmate in a boy attired in a monster costume. In response to a query from her new neighbor about playing monster with him, she answers, "Not at my house-the real monster's sleeping." Thus, the girl's web of hyperbole and deception captures the imagination of her new friend. The boy's initial interest changes to horrified fascination as his new friend describes a roaring, messy, drooling, poopy, hair-pulling creature that spits up everywhere and sucks on everything. The illustrations are the author's trademark blend of bright paintings and mixed-media collage. Varied layouts are particularly effective in conveying the mood of the story as smaller images early in the narrative give way to larger spreads as the boy imagines all manner of monster mayhem. The beast reaches delightfully horrible and gargantuan proportions until it's revealed that he is actually little, soft, and cuddly. The cherubic infant is introduced as he is greeted by his older sister with an affectionate, "Hi, monster." This charming twist on a popular subject is appropriate for both lap and group sharing.
Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525459731
• ISBN-13: 978-0525459736
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #964,151 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh, colorful and fun book - five stars, August 9, 1999

By A Customer

This book gave me and my kids a lot of laughs! A fresh, clever twist on the timeless theme of sibling rivalry. We loved the fabulous artwork too, with its intriguing use of collage materials. A wonderful new find from this terrific and talented author/illustrator. A reader in Denver, CO