The Monsters' Monster

( 7 )

Overview

Once upon a time, there were three little rascals who thought they were the BIGGEST, BADDEST monsters around. Then along came an even BIGGER monster who changed their minds. And all it took was two little words.
In this playful tale from bestselling picture book author Patrick McDonnell, a very BIG monster shows three very BAD little monsters the power of boundless gratitude.
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More About This Book

Overview

Once upon a time, there were three little rascals who thought they were the BIGGEST, BADDEST monsters around. Then along came an even BIGGER monster who changed their minds. And all it took was two little words.
In this playful tale from bestselling picture book author Patrick McDonnell, a very BIG monster shows three very BAD little monsters the power of boundless gratitude.
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
In the 1931 movie Frankenstein, the monster was capable of kindness and innocence, but the villagers turned on him anyway. McDonnell’s (Me... Jane) monster is even more prone to acts of sweetness and generosity—much to the dismay of his creators. Three runty, bean-nosed monsters named Grouch, Grump, and little Gloom ’n’ Doom (he has two heads) decide to settle their perpetual quarreling about which of them is the meanest by making “a monster monster. The biggest, baddest monster ever!” Like Frankenstein’s monster, theirs has the same flat head, neck bolts, and automaton walk. He’s strong enough to smash castle walls, but he has unexpectedly lovely manners. His first words are “Dank you!” and his first impulse is to hug the little monsters tight. McDonnell’s greatest strength is to explore with tenderness the finest instincts humans show, without making them prissy or maudlin. The monster’s goodness (and some jelly doughnuts) transform the three little monsters in an entirely believable way: “Monster looked at them and smiled. They smiled back.” Another winner from McDonnell—and good Halloween fare, too. Ages 3–6. (Sept.)
Booklist
"McDonnell arranges the tale so that it blooms like a dawning day.... Relax, little monsters, and enjoy the day."
New York Times Book Review
"Simple yet inspired."
The Bulletin
"Succinct and snappy."
From the Publisher
A New York Times Bestseller
An Indiebound BestsellerA National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Silver WinnerA Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2012
Children's Literature
Grouch, Grump, and Little Gloom ?n' Doom are the odd-looking heroes who think they are monsters. They do live in a dark monster castle on a dark monster mountain. They smash, bash, huff and puff; their favorite words are all "no." Every day they argue and fight over who is the worst. One day they decide together to build the "biggest, baddest monster EVER!" But Monster does not behave as they expect. His first words are a polite, "Dank you!" When he strides down the mountain to the town below, his creators wait for howls and growls. Instead Monster emerges from the bakery saying, "Dank you!" and clutching a paper bag. Grouch, Grump, and Gloom ?n' Doom follow him to the beach, where he gives each of them a jelly doughnut. In surprise, they remember to say, "Thank you!" They all sit happily together enjoying the day and forgetting to be monsters. The jacket introduces the four characters, three small and strange looking, observing their huge creation, which is a parody of the stereotypical monster created by Frankenstein. On the cover they watch him march away down the road. Visualized on mainly full pages in cartoon style, the story is more amusing than frightening, with perhaps a lesson for quarreling friends. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
School Library Journal
PreS-1—Three little monsters love to CRASH!, BASH!, and SMASH! Every day they argue over who is the best monster, until they join forces to "make a MONSTER monster. The biggest, baddest monster EVER!" At first, their efforts look successful, but to their horror, the creature's first words after tearing off his bandages are "Dank you." The enormous Frankenstein look-alike contents himself with breathing fresh air and gently greeting the spiders, bats, and rats in the castle. But just as the little monsters begin to despair, Monster lets out a ROAR and smashes through the dungeon wall, heading toward the "monster-fearing village" below. Is he finally off to make mayhem? Or will his exploits end in a lesson for the little monsters about gratitude and sharing? McDonnell's monsters are comic and endearing, and the book's colors gently shift from dark and gloomy to warm as the story progresses. The message is well executed, and the little beasts' exuberance at their badness keeps the tale from devolving into platitudes. This delightful title will provide a new option for "not so scary" monster storytimes.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
Kirkus Reviews
Tiny Grouch, Grump and Gloom 'n' Doom (who has two heads) continually bicker about who is the most impressive monster. When the solution they come up with turns out to be different from what they expected, a surprising but welcome lesson is eventually learned. Caldecott Honor winner McDonnell (Me…Jane, 2011) produces a special tale that seamlessly blends an engaging text, gentle humor and skillful illustrations that readers of all ages can appreciate. The monstrous trio smash, crash and bash about, and a black cloud literally hangs over the castle where they live. A coordinated stroke of genius leads them to "make a MONSTER monster. The biggest, baddest monster EVER!" "[S]ome tape, tacks, staples, and glue…some gunk, gauze, and gobs of goo… [and] bolts, wire and a smelly old shoe" form a huge creature that comes to life via lightning strike. But instead of making a scary, intimidating monster, they have brought to life a sweet, polite, life-loving being whose first words are "Dank you!" Soon, the small threesome finds they cannot change their creation's pleasant nature--he repeatedly blurts out his favorite phrase--and learns that respectful, mannerly companionship can lead to fulfilling and sunny results…like watching the sunrise at the beach while sharing jelly doughnuts. The story charms, but it is the overall thoughtful design that makes this a frightfully amazing book to read. Make time to share with young monsters everywhere. (Picture book. 3-6)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780316045476
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  • Publication date: 9/4/2012
  • Pages: 40
  • Sales rank: 46194
  • Age range: 3 - 6 Years
  • Product dimensions: 8.80 (w) x 11.10 (h) x 0.60 (d)

Meet the Author

Patrick McDonnell
Patrick McDonnell is the creator of the beloved internationally syndicated comic strip MUTTS, which features the characters that star in five of his children's picture books: Wag!, The Gift of Nothing, Just Like Heaven, South, and Hug Time. He is also the creator ofMe . . . Jane, a Caldecott Honor Book and New York Times bestselling picture book biography of Dr. Jane Goodall, and has written and illustrated the award-winning picture book Art.

Patrick sits on the board of directors of the Humane Society of the United States. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Karen; their two formerly feral cats, MeeMow and Not Ootie; and their adopted terrier, Amelie. Patrick's website is muttscomics.com.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 7 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(6)

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(1)

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Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Sep 10 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    This book is adorable!

    This book is adorable!

    3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Sat Jan 19 00:00:00 EST 2013

    more from this reviewer

    Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers Favorite Once upon a time

    Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers Favorite

    Once upon a time there were three little monsters named Grouch, Grump and little Gloom ‘n’ Doom who lived in a dark monster castle on top of a dark monster hill. These three little monsters argued every day over who was the biggest, worst monster, but each one thought it was himself. Until one day . . . And that is all I will tell because you need to read the book for yourself, and I don’t want to ruin it for you!

    Author Patrick McDowell and Illustrator Caldecott Honor together created a neat little story that would be a wonderful tale for Halloween. And Grouch, Grump and little Gloom ‘n’ Doom are the cutest little monsters I have ever seen! The author creates characters that any child will love and tells a story that will have kids coming back to read over and over. And you have to see the illustrations for yourself to see how awesome they are! The pictures alone tell a story in themselves, with the gray and black colors. And parents don’t need to be worried about the story being too scary, because it is not. You will be surprised and pleased at the ending.

    Looking for a sweet Halloween story that won’t scare your kids, but will make them look at monsters as cute and sweet little creatures? Then this is the book for you. And I hope you enjoy "Three Monsters’ Monster as much as my four-year old-niece does. This is one of her favorites books!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Wed Sep 19 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    My grand daughter, not quite 4 loves this story. And I love read

    My grand daughter, not quite 4 loves this story. And I love reading it to her because last year there was a huge balloon monster on the lawn across the street and she was terrified of it. This year she will be prepared because this monster's monster looks just like him. And he's so lovable in this book.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 2012

    A great buy!

    My 6 year old son loves this book! I didn't think that the read along would be good for him but he reads along with the narrator.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Nov 21 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Beeeeeeeeeeeeeest book ever!

    My library teacher has read it to me and I love it!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Nov 19 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Awesome Book

    I love this book, it's sweet and the kids love the monsters and the unexpected twists.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Nov 19 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Liked

    My 3 year old twin grandson somewhat liked this book. He wanted to reat it more than once. My twin grandaugter did not like the book.

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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