The Only Monster

by Matt Coyne

Overview

A funny, heartfelt story aboutbeing an only child, from thecreator of Man vs Baby. It’s PHOTO DAY at monster school—time to mess up your monster hair and dangle your very best bogies from your nose, to get the perfect shot. But as all the monster brothers and sisters line up for pictures, one little monster realizes . . . she's the only one who's an only one. 

That's when Daddy monster steps in to reassure her that no one family is the same—and just because their monster family isn't as big as all the others, it doesn't mean that it isn't just as special or full of love. In fact, if she measured her family by LOVE, it would be bigger than the earth, the moon and the stars above!

Matt Coyne, comedian and creator of popular parenting blog Man vs Baby, celebrates the things that really make up a family—love and support—while illustrator Brendan Kearney creates a monster world full of wonderful details, which children will want to return to again and again. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780711298774
Publisher:	Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Publication date:	03/18/2025
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.55(w) x 11.20(h) x (d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Matt Coyne is from Sheffield in England, and is the author of a novel called Frank and Red as well as two bestselling non-fiction books, Dummy and Man vs. Toddler, inspired by his award-winning parenting blog and social media profile Man vs Baby. He has also written for magazines and newspapers including GQ Magazine. You can follow Matt on Facebook and Instagram (@manversusbaby).

Editorial Reviews

Sheffield’s Coyne transports readers aged four-plus to the monster town of Bonglibod where a little monster notices that the other monster kids have brothers and sisters…but not her. She is an only monster.” 

—The Bookseller

“A sweet story about being an only child.”

—The Bookseller

"Quirky yet warmhearted fun."

—Kirkus Reviews

 "A good story for sharing with only children, those who have questions about family differences, or those who like stories about communities.”

—Children's Literature

From the Publisher

2024-12-14
Being an only child can feel lonely.

In Bonglibod, a land inhabited by endearing monsters, lives a loving family consisting of a dad, mom, and a child. On photo day at school, everyone shows up looking picture-perfect: with messed-up hair, unbrushed teeth, and “bogies” in their noses! After individual pictures are taken, the students pose for “brother-sister photographs”—everyone except our protagonist. She’s heartbroken at missing out. Dad can’t help noticing his little one’s sadness as he walks her home after school. She replies that their family is “odd”; other families have many kids, but theirs has only one. Daddy thinks before answering, then responds that families should be measured by love instead of numbers. In fact,their family is “bigger than the Earth, the moon, the sky, and stars above!” Joined by Mom, Dad adds, “You’re MONSTER PERFECT to your monster mom and me.” Dad also reminds his daughter that in their large, loving community, one’s “never short of family when / you’re blessed with such good friends.” This winning tale, told in sometimes awkward verse, nevertheless offers “onlies” some much-needed reassurance that families come in all sizes. Kids will giggle at the riotous monster names and at the comical digital illustrations, filled with adorably kooky, wide-eyed creatures.

Quirky yet warmhearted fun.(Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews