Monster Needs to Go to School

The Monster & Me(TM) series is a 2015 Silver Moonbeam Children's Book Award winner for Best Picture Book Series "A rhyming bullying tale with some worthwhile lessons." --Kirkus Reviews "Monster is off to school, reluctantly for sure. After all, he is 'blue and hairy.' What if he gets teased? Another rollicking addition to Czajak's series, Monster Needs to Go to School is a great book for teachers and parents to address the 'beginning school jitters.'"--Ellen Fischer, author of If an Elephant Went to School "...the perfect introduction for easing 'First Time at School' jitters. It will be a favorite long after school has begun."--Darlene Beck-Jacobson, blogger and author of Wheels of Change "This latest entry into the Monster & Me series takes a fun look at starting school, giving little ones who may be getting ready for Pre-K or Kindergarten an idea of what to expect (and reinforcing these ideas for kids already in daycare and pre-k programs): learning the ABCs, raising your hand when you want to speak, and inviting others to play at recess."--Mom Read It "...tackles a big issue with tact, fun, and creativity. The rhyme scheme employed simply adds to the merriment without overpowering the messages it is conveying."--Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers "I was happy about the diversity of the children and adults in the book. I loved that it addresses bullying, a topic we have been talking about at home. Monster won't play with some kids until they stop being bullies, so they stop! ... Thumbs up for Monster!" --I Love Kids Books "Mr. Czajak skillfully points out that being a bystander is just about as bad as being a bully. Ms. Grieb's illustrations create a sense of liveliness, and are very colorful." --This Kid Reviews Books "Being afraid of school as a first-time student can be pretty stressful. ... Learning to deal with these issues can be smooth or fraught with stumbling blocks (rocks, tears, punches, whatever). But when you've a friend like Monster then things go much better." --Chat With Vera "Monster Needs to Go to School continues the series' themes of reinforcing proper behaviors, relationship skills, friendship, and compassion. Grieb's digital illustrations once again elevate the Monster & Me(TM) series with bright, interesting scenes, punctuated with the small details I love to see. Distinctive facial features best express the emotions and reactions of Grieb's diverse classroom of kids. Those lucky enough to have the Monster & Me(TM) books will love Monster Needs to Go to School." --Kid Lit Reviews * * * Praise for the Monster & Me(TM) series Monster Needs Your Vote: "Playful rhyming text and comically overblown rhetoric (oratory skills, platform, grassroots movement) combined with colorful digital illustrations exemplify the intricacies of being a candidate and the importance of the democratic process. The extra bonus is that after a couple of missteps, Monster hits his stride by campaigning to save libraries. VERDICT A good introduction to what happens on a campaign, how voting for a president works, and the dynamics of civic engagement."--School Library Journal "Monster has the best platform EVER in this furry fun first look at elections! (He had me at 'desserts'--then it got even better!) Monster Needs Your Vote has mine!"--Ame Dyckman, New York Times bestselling author of Wolfie the Bunny Monster Needs a Party: "Like the other Monster titles, the rhymes are fun and the illustrations are bursting with vivid colors and numerous details. Further, the lessons are simple (be flexible, be persistent) and not overdone. The story reminds readers that life can be amazing if we are positive and open to new possibilities. VERDICT An upbeat story that will appeal to all young children."--School Library Journal "Playful, charming, and featuring exuberant, colorful illustrations, Monster Needs a Party is pure fun to read aloud and share."--The Midwest Book Review, Children's Bookwatch Monster Needs a Christmas Tree: "Sendakesque ... The cute finale brings to mind Charlie Brown ... As before, Czajak and Grieb make Monster's perpetual overexcitement palpable and identifiable."--Booklist "...[P]roviding children with a valuable lesson in persistence and determination. ... The Monster & Me series is going strong and, from all indications, has a long life ahead of it."--Foreword Reviews, 5 Star Review Monster Needs His Sleep: "Czajak and Grieb pair up once again for a hilarious take on the many creative ways a monster attempts to avoid bedtime. ...Sure to be a welcome choice for the going-to-bed time that never seems to end." --Kirkus Reviews "Featuring an endearing character children will adore, this imaginative book will be hard to put down...even at bedtime!" -- Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, author of Pirate Princess and Chicks Run Wild Monster Needs a Costume: "...Given the jaunty flow of the story and the humorous details on every page, put this at the top of the list for unscary options come October." --Kirkus Reviews "The rhymes, quite obviously, are bouncy and irreverent, and just as much heck is raised by Grieb's cartoony illustrations of the enormous, blue, horned beast with the happy underbite..." --Booklist