Why I Love This Book

Once again, I have a backstory for this book. In 2012, while  working on my Ph.D. at the University of Georgia, Amanda Noll, the author, attended our locally hosted Georgia Book Awards Conference.   Doctoral students are required to help this conference run smoothly and I was assigned to the authors. It was my job to get them to and from their speaking engagements, make sure they had everything they needed and above all, get them to the autograph table on time.

Would she remember me, no. Did she leave an impression on me? Yes!
Why? I admired her because like me, she was a teacher. Not only that, she was also a former librarian. I'm always there to support a fellow educator.

Long story short, her book won the Georgia Book Award for Picture Books that year and went on to earn many more awards over the next few years.

This story came from Noll's experience as a mother. Having 4 children she'd experienced many different bedtime issues. However, when her daughter continued to wake up and come to find her, not because she was scared, but because she thought everyone else was having fun without her, Noll started thinking... "I wish she was scared of a monster under her bed". She wondered to herself about where her daughter's monster might be and why isn't he doing his job keeping her in bed. This was a story that she, "could not keep quiet in her mind" and we're all so very glad that she took the time to get it down on paper.

There are now 5 books in the" Monster" series
​
Themes
  • Overcoming Fear
  • Perseverance
  • Bravery
Awards & Accolades
  • Alabama Camellia Award (2010–11)
  • Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award (2011)
  • California Young Readers Medal (2011–12)
  • Georgia Picture Storybook Award (2011–12)
  • Nevada Young Reader Award (2011–12)
  • Mississippi Magnolia Children's Choice Award list (2012–13)
  • Nebraska Golden Sower Award (2011–12) 2nd-place
  • South Dakota Prairie Bud Award (2011–12) 3rd-place
  • Virginia Reader's Choice Award Primary list (2012–13)
  • Washington Children's Choice Book Award (2010-2011) 2nd-place
  • Wyoming Buckaroo Award (2011–12) 2nd runner-up
  • Iowa Regional Goldfinch Award (2009–10) winner
  • Storytelling World Award Honor Book (2010)
  • Indie Next Kids' Pick (Summer 2009),
  • NSW Premier Reading Challenge Book in Australia
  • Scholastic Book Club Selection
Teachable Moments
This book offers multiple opportunities for learning that go far beyond what's printed on the page or seen in the illustrations. Here's a small sample:
  • Parts of a Book (Cover, Title, Author, Illustrator, Spine, End Papers...)
  • Great Adjectives- razor-sharp claws, breathy voice, ragged nails, and uncut claws       I stopped making my list of examples 1/4 of the way through the story. Work with your child to add to my list.
  • CharacterTraits - Each monster has a slightly different personality & physical characteristics.
  • What's the difference between a want and a need? Does he want his monster or truly need it?
  • Order of Events /Plot- Which monster came first, next, last.​
Picture
 ​​ Click HERE to see what's included with each
​download purchased.
Please note that you are purchasing the resources only.

Subscribers receive 2 new titles delivered to their inbox each month
​ at a 20% discount off single purchases!

Beyond the Book Resources

​Each $3.99 Beyond the Book Download Includes:
  • Getting Started - an introduction to the Read it Again method
  • Comprehension Questions  -  A list of  questions that tap into different levels of understanding and foster conversations about the story
  • ​Vocabulary Flashcards - Along with the flashcards, you'll also receive ideas for putting the cards to use in multiple ways
  • Writing - We provide an image and story prompt designed to extend the theme of the story. No, we don't expect your child to write just yet. Instead, you can take down the dictation of the story your child tells.
  • Story Elements Page - Understanding what makes a story a story is an important skill.  This activity asks your child to identify the following: characters, setting, problem, solution, favorite part, and summary.
  • Cooking ideas related to the story
  • Art ideas related to the story
  • Links to  Great Games,  toys, manipulatives, and movies
  • Information on the Research behind ReaditAgain​
Important Note: This download does not include the book, only the resources listed above. The book may be purchased separately by clicking here. ​
It's really that simple...
​ One Great Story
 Multiple Readings
Fun & Educational Follow-up Activities
Subscribers receive 2 new titles in their inbox each month
​at a 20% discount off  the single purchase prices.

I Need My Monster

​Themed Toys

Adding an element of play is yet another way to deepen the understanding of the concepts introduced within the multiple readings of the story.  You'll be surprised at the amount of learning that's transferred and reinforced through  imaginative play.
​
Why I Love These Specific Playthings:
  • Each item has a direct connection to I Need My Monster.
  • There are no batteries.
  • They encourage imaginative play.
  • They make it easy to re-enact the story.
  • ​They take the learning another step forward.
Please note that these are affiliate links.
If you purchase anything through my  links, you won't pay a penny more, but I'll make a small commission which helps me keep the lights on.  ​
Monster Scale by Hape
$23.99
Monster Bowling $24.99
"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." — Emilie Buchwald