The Monster at the End of this Book (Sesame Street)

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The Monster at the End of this Book (Sesame Street)

by Jon Stone, Michael J. Smollin (Illustrator)

4.48 of 5 stars 4.48 · rating details · 55,929 ratings · 1,721 reviews

Many adults name this book as their favorite Little Golden Book. Generations of kids have interacted with lovable, furry old Grover as he begs the reader not to turn the page—for fear of a monster at the end of the book. “Oh, I am so embarrassed,” he says on the last page . . . for, of course, the monster is Grover himself!

This all-time favorite is now available as a Big...more

Hardcover, 32 pages

Published May 11th 2004 by Golden Books (first published 1971)

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Aug 01, 2007 Jeremy rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: children

I had a very love/hate relationship with The Muppets in my early youth. I really, really liked watching "The Muppet Show" and "Sesame Street". They were two of my favorite shows, and I still hold both in high regard. However, every now and then and completely out of nowhere, a Muppet would do something that genuinely terrified me. For example, I really hated that old "Sesame" sketch when a couple of mild-mannered puppets would calmly take turns whispering words that rhymed to a gently jazzy beat...more I had a very love/hate relationship with The Muppets in my early youth. I really, really liked watching "The Muppet Show" and "Sesame Street". They were two of my favorite shows, and I still hold both in high regard. However, every now and then and completely out of nowhere, a Muppet would do something that genuinely terrified me. For example, I really hated that old "Sesame" sketch when a couple of mild-mannered puppets would calmly take turns whispering words that rhymed to a gently jazzy beat, and then this orange hairy guy would barrel up to the screen, and, without regard for rhythm or personal space, bellow an unwieldy sentence containing all the words the less-horrific Muppets had so charmingly whispered earlier. That SCARED me. Badly. I was scared of beards, yelling, and any pictures or toys depicting someone or something with a gaping mouth.

Thus, I had serious issues with "Monster at the End of this Book". I was always very ill at ease with Grover, anyway. He caused terrible problems for everyone he encountered, and almost never showed remorse. Also, he couldn't seem to communicate without shouting and gesticulating wildly. I had real problems with the way he carried himself, so I knew going into the book that I probably wasn't going to like it much. What I didn't expect was to be profoundly affected, to the point of tears and sleepless nights, by a drawing of Grover, his furry mouth so wide with terror that his head resembled a blubbering halved blue grapefruit, positively out of control with horror and dread concerning the MONSTER that was about to destroy him, to destroy us all, because he'd spoken to me, personally, directly, about the effects the very book I held in my hands would have on the both of us in the immediate future.

I never appreciated or even detected the pleasingly ironic denouement of this, the most devious Little Golden Book of them all, until 4th or 5th grade, when I finally dared to finish the thing. In my preschool days, as far as I was concerned, they may as well have entitled the book "Grover Undergoes a Harrowing Mental Breakdown, and Will Implore You to Help Him Throughout (You Cannot)".

One star, one scar. (less)

56 likes · like · see review

Jul 30, 2010 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children, holy-shit

‘Oh great,’ you’re thinking, ‘another witty endeavor where a Goodreader reflects back on a childhood favorite. Oh joy.'

Well, suck it up and deal.

A-hem… While rifling through the book section at my local Goodwill; I came across this little gem. Copyright 1980, Little Golden Books® edition complete with all our favorite characters outlining the back cover… The Tawny Scrawny Lion, Tootle, The Poky Little Puppy… that famous gold-foil binding (seriously, it says so… right on the back!) A little girl...more

41 likes · like · see review

Oct 22, 2012 s.penkevich rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: childhood_classics, childrens-books, tilly-s_bookshelf

This book was a childhood favorite of mine, and I suspect that my love of metafiction stems from this book. However, as an adult I find this book to be slightly sadistic. Grover BEGS you to not turn the page in order to keep from reaching the monster that will be found on the final page ((view spoiler)), building brick walls and such to thwart your progress. However, the fun is laughing at Grover as you ignore his ple...more

43 likes · like · see review

Apr 23, 2009 Amanda added it

Shelves: fer-teenagers-kids-and-younguns

(4/23/09) I saw a quote from this book on my friend Misha's profile last night and a flood of good feelings came rushing over me. While I don't remember the specifics of the story (other than the surprise ending!), I do remember reading it a hundred thousand times. I remember the golden spine, a different texture than the rest of the hard cover. I remember, that maybe, years later, the dog chewed the corner. And I remember loving this book a lot.

Funny, as I think about it now, I wonder why I've...more

10 likes · like · see review

Jul 06, 2007 Raizel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Riveting.
Gave me goose bumps.

A true page turner till the end.

32 likes · like · see review

Nov 11, 2008 Avis Black added it

Shelves: once-loved-sadly-outgrown

This was the very first book I ever bought with my own money, me being the age of seven, and I remember the whole event as being almost frighteningly grown-up, to actually buy a book. I also annoyed the crap out of my parents by making them read it to me repeatedly. Loved it at the time.

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 17, 2009 Steven Stark rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book starts out great! I love Grover.

The problem is that Grover asks you to not turn any more pages, because of his belief that there is a monster at the end of the book. I decided to honor Grover's wish.

Oh, I turned a few pages. But when Grover took the time to tie all the pages together to discourage me from turning any more, well, I just didn't have the heart to go on. The little guy was really scared.

But I can't help but think.....are all monsters necessarily bad? You know it's funny -...more

16 likes · like · see review

Oct 09, 2007 Courtney rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: postmodern scholars

We are the monster we fear.

We are also the monster that induces fear in others, sometimes by an act as simple as turning a page.

The reader is the author of meaning.

Simply existing and acting causes ripples in the realities of others which we are incapable of comprehending.

When you pick up a stone, the earth is lighter.

When you turn the page, you are one moment closer to your own death.

Not turning the page will not make the monster at the end of this book dissapear either, he will never go away...more

13 likes · like · see review

Jul 04, 2011 Bruce M rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: children, sesame-street, muppets, humour, suspense, illustrated, licensed-property

I can remember reading this book with my mother as a young child. I remember reading this book to my much younger brother when he was a young child (There's 13 years between us). Now I'm reading it to my own daughter.

Out of all things Sesame Street, books, sketches, songs, movies... this is one of my absolute favourites. Every page of this book is amazing. I love Grover addressing the reader, like he so often does on the show. I love the piles of debris visible through the tears of the pages' co...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 30, 2008 Mike rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone with little ones

Shelves: kids

This is my youngest daughter’s “most favoritest book” and to be honest, it is a joy to read it with her… every night… until she finds another favoritest book.

5 likes · like · see review

Jan 14, 2009 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was a delightful read from start to finish. The best part is, my children love it too and want me to read it all the time. I recently gave them all their own copy for Christmas. Furry old Grover is afraid of the monster at the end of the book and will do anything to get you stop turning pages. I don't want to spoil the end so that is all I'm going to say.

1 like · like · see review

Nov 17, 2007 Christina rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: EVERYONE

This is absolutely my favorite book of all time. I really can't remember when I first read it so I just guessed. I have always loved Grover as long as I can remember. It is such a clever and fun book, and while it does kind of play on kids' little rebellious streaks (turning the pages when Grover is trying everything in his power to get the reader not to), it also incites kids to keep reading all the way to the end, to finish what you start, to foster a healthy sense of curiosity, and even to no...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jun 21, 2012 Cory rated it 4 of 5 stars

If your looking for a good bedtime story this is a MUST have. I can imagine that any child would thoroughly enjoy this book as there are many laughs with cheeky Elmo constantly tricking grover. This isn't a book for adults unless you enjoyed sesame street when you were younger, it does get a tad bit repetitive but I don't think any child is going to mind that.

When I was younger I used to love this book because of the funny characters. Now I should probably say what this book is about, well the...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 13, 2009 Brooke rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book as a kid. It was one of my favorites. I think every kid should have this book read to them!

1 like · like · see review

Jan 26, 2009 Meg rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

LOVE IT! Another great kid's book. I can't even BEG my son into putting it down. If you need a hilarious book that will get your 3- to 7-year-old more interested in reading, Grover's got it made-to-order, as usual. You can find this book online for just a few bucks, and it might be the one that opens up the world for your little one. I still maintain that any kid who doesn't love to read just hasn't met the right book yet.

(Man, I miss those skits of Grover as a waiter... They always made MY life...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 13, 2012 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars

I obtained this book via a Mc Donald's Happy Meal!
It totally changed my life.
Before reading this book, I was only in the story of a book living the lives of the characters and always hoping for more, and this book showed me the "more" I was looking for. It showed me reader participation! It were as the book was in a different dimension and I entered into it through some portal where as other books were limited on the depth of story interaction allowed.
As a young person reading this book, I coul...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Kyle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens, classics

Confession: I've always hated Grover. I can't say why, but to be fair, I've never been a huge fan of the residents of Sesame Street (Snuffleupagus and Oscar the Grouch obviously don't count). Maybe it's because Grover was always trying a little bit too hard, or maybe he was trying to be a little bit too cute. I don't know. I just never liked him, and I haven't bothered trying to change that fact because I'm quite content with how things are in that department, thank you.

All of that said, I love...more Confession: I've always hated Grover. I can't say why, but to be fair, I've never been a huge fan of the residents of Sesame Street (Snuffleupagus and Oscar the Grouch obviously don't count). Maybe it's because Grover was always trying a little bit too hard, or maybe he was trying to be a little bit too cute. I don't know. I just never liked him, and I haven't bothered trying to change that fact because I'm quite content with how things are in that department, thank you.

All of that said, I love this book. It was one of my favorite books as a kid - I would read it over and over again. Every time I found it in my room, I would stop to read it. Years later, I saw it at a bookstore and persuaded a friend to buy it for her godchild because it still holds up. Instant classic.

But why is that the case? I don't particularly like the main character, but I also don't enjoy torturing people to the point where they break down in tears, either. And there, that sentence, is why I think it still endures. Grover is the authority figure in this book. We're meant to pay attention to him, and do what he says, because he is, for all intents and purposes, an adult in this situation, and as children, we're taught to obey adults.

So, when reading this book, we really only have two options - we can obey the adult and stop reading the book, and then we'll never find out about the monster at the end of the book - but that's okay, monsters are scary. Or, we can defy authority and push our way to the end, only to find out that the monster at the end of the book may be insufferable, but he isn't scary in the slightest. I believe that this book teaches children to misbehave, to deny conventional wisdom, and to develop a healthy source of curiosity that's necessary, even when our superiors are telling us no. Sure, maybe there's a bit of the whole, "Don't be afraid" memo tacked on, but really, this book teaches children how to be subversive from an early age, and I believe that is the reason why this book titillated me as a child and continues to hold up to this day. (less)

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Dec 07, 2011 Kirk rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: inner-demons-dissociative-behavio

"I . . . am the monster"
Grover Monster

This is probably one of the most profound statements in literary history to date. Today, there are hundreds of books, films and television shows which address man's incapacity to negotiate his own darkness. In many variations of the tale, we see the darkness within projected outward, cast onto another real or imagined character. Stephen King's Secret Window, even the latest season of Dexter reacquaints us with this age-old phenomenon, but never have they...more "I . . . am the monster"
Grover Monster

This is probably one of the most profound statements in literary history to date. Today, there are hundreds of books, films and television shows which address man's incapacity to negotiate his own darkness. In many variations of the tale, we see the darkness within projected outward, cast onto another real or imagined character. Stephen King's Secret Window, even the latest season of Dexter reacquaints us with this age-old phenomenon, but never have they explored it with the depth and finesse author Jon Stone did in the chilling The Monster at the End of this Book.

The tale begins with the seemingly lovable Grover, whose ambivalence has yet to be revealed. He fears the monster, an entity which he believes he shares no association with. His dissociation from his own darkness becomes apparent to the reader on the first page when Grover Monster ironically proclaims, "I am so scared of monsters" (Stone).

On subsequent pages, Grover's fear grows. But what does he truly fear? Does he fear the monster at the end of the book, or the fact that, upon reaching the end of the book, we will see him for who he truly is? If we align ourselves with the latter of these two possibilities, then the futility of his attempt to hinder our progress is augmented by the fact that even the casual observer can see Grover for what he truly is: a monster. On the other hand, if we believe Grover genuinely fears the monster at the end of the book, the text becomes a testament to identities which have become so fragmented that an individual interprets different facets of the self as separate individuals. The various mechanisms Grover constructs throughout the book follow in the vein of the former of these two possibilities, for it is the industrial era which catalyzed such fragmentation initially, and it is Grover's attempt to reconstruct the industrial mechanism, and his inability to adapt to the requirements of industry, which allow us to finish the text.

Over the next few pages, Grover treats the text as a serial killer might treat its victim, binding the book with rope, smothering the book with brick, and building a shack--likely in some remote location--in which he can hide the book away from the public eye. But all of his attempts to slow our progress prove only testament to his inability to adapt to the requirements of the harsh society whose growth is grounded in industry. Even the infantile readers can wretch victory from Grover's grasp simply by turning the pages. By turning the pages we leave him no choice but to identify himself with the only thing he can inherently identify himself as: the monster.

Grover's attempts to stop the reader from moving forward are reminiscent of the behaviors we all exhibit when trying to hide our darkest impulses. We try to box ourselves off from others, or "put up a wall." These very counterintuitive impulses are often what give us away. It is the hiding that reveals us.

While this text could be said to be a grim portrayal of our own fears and impulses, it ends on a positive note. Grover learns to embrace the monster within, and realizes that it is a benign force once refutation of its existence comes to an end, showing us that we all must accept the darkness within, for repression can only result in physiological complications and self-inflicted damage that far outweighs what we might perceive our inner demons to be capable of. The final message left to readers is best encapsulated by Grover's closing statement, "I told you and told you there was nothing to be afraid of." (Stone).(less)

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Aug 20, 2011 Roberta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Normally I steer clear of books about TV characters because of their low story quality. This story, however, is a hilarious page-by-page running joke, in which Grover, after reading the title, begs the reader not to turn the pages because he is afraid of meeting the monster. He erects barriers to page-turning which are destroyed as pages are turned, and when the last page is turned he discovers that he is the monster referred to in the title.

The humor turns on the fact that the author draws att...more

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Apr 28, 2011 Brad rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children, pb-and-j-dipped-in-hot-chocolate, personal-mythology, read-to-scoutie

I do an ass kicking impersonation of Grover. Just ask my kids.

Actually, I can do any of the Muppets voiced by Frank Oz -- Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Sam the Eagle, Cookie Monster, Bert, even Yoda (which is my son's fave), but Grover is my best.

So when I was looking for a book for my little Scoutie a couple of months ago, something that I could hide away and save for just her and me, and I stumbled upon a little board book version of this Little Golden Book classic, I had to have it.

I'd forgotten all...more

18 likes · like · see review

Apr 05, 2011 Eyebright rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone!

Shelves: 2011, childrens, favorites, read-aloud

When I first had the idea for writing a review about this book, I wondered if I would even be able to make it beyond a few sentences. I mean, writing a review for a silly children's story isn't exactly groundbreaking material.

However, just because it's a kid's book doesn't mean I can't share it with you, does it?

My Synopsis

The Monster at the End of this Book let's us communicate with the Sesame Street friend, Grover, as he struggles with overcoming his fear of Monsters. Having read the title pa...more When I first had the idea for writing a review about this book, I wondered if I would even be able to make it beyond a few sentences. I mean, writing a review for a silly children's story isn't exactly groundbreaking material.

However, just because it's a kid's book doesn't mean I can't share it with you, does it?

My Synopsis

The Monster at the End of this Book let's us communicate with the Sesame Street friend, Grover, as he struggles with overcoming his fear of Monsters. Having read the title page, he's desperate to prevent you, as the reader, from getting to the end of the book, and thus the monster! What he doesn't know, and what the reader is surprised to discover is a mystery that will keep you and your small friends reading it again and again.

My Thoughts

The Monster at the End of this Book is a super fun, interactive reading experience that draws a child into it in a way that many static books can never hope to achieve. Each page presents the new, and increasingly funny obstacle of turning the next page, and watching with bright eyes for Grover's hilarious response.

Of course, the book was meant to be read with specific energy. In fact, how could the reader not read it with the excitement that it demands? It draws older audiences in too, entertaining them with the child's delight, and the creative story.

Not only that, but for us older readers, if we really look, we can see a lesson of ourselves. It might be a bit of a stretch to say such a thing. It's true, though! How often do we get worked up about something that proves to have been nothing after all? We build walls and barricades in an effort to prevent our fears from approaching, only to have it dodge our walls and discover that it was nothing that we couldn't handle, especially with help from the Lord. Unlike Grover, though, who leaves embarrassed, we are given grace to pick us back up from our embarrassment and set us back on the way again.

My recommendation? Definitely read this book. It's a reading experience that you and your little friend's will never forget. :)(less)

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Mar 11, 2011 Rich Stoehr rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-childhood

I remember this book well.

I remember Grover's initial shock at the discovery that there is, indeed, a monster lurking at the end of the book in my hands.

I remember the whispered entreaty to please, please not turn the page - adorable, fuzzy Grover does not want to see the monster!

I remember the increasingly desperate attempts Grover makes to stop me from turning the pages: tying the book together with rope, building brick walls between pages, nailing the book shut, each one rendered perfectly wi...more

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Jun 05, 2009 Shanna Gonzalez rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children-04-08

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Aug 26, 2012 Mia Balsamo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: picturebook

PB11: I have such great memories of this book. I did not personally own it, but my grandma owned it and every time I went to her house I would run to her book closet and pick out this book and snuggle up in her chair with her and she would read me this book. She was very enthusiastic about reading so I was always very engrossed while she read to me. The illustrations are amazing as Grover tries to stop you from turning the page. Even though I knew what actually did happen at the end of the page...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-books, favorites

This is one of my husband's favorite books from childhood, so he had to pick up a copy for our daughter's personal collection. I was never a big Grover fan. Not that I had anything against the blue fur ball, I was just more into the Fraggles than the Muppets when I was younger. My daughter loves the Sesame Street gang, and I'm always up for a new book, so I had no problem adding this one to our bedtime book list.

I laughed out loud. It was just so silly, so panic!!!!! ridden, and so - well - Gro...more

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Nov 09, 2009 Damian rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is perfect for your 2-4 year old. It gives your child permission to disobey important instructions from cute, loveable Grover (who could whoop Elmo in a Sesame street fight).

The book grabs your attention from the very first line, with Grover teasing your child's curiosity about a potential monster at the end of the book, all the while begging your child NOT to turn the page. And yet we encourage the child to do it anyway.

This "cute-for-now" moment will be stored in your child's memor...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 18, 2011 Amancay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s, hardback, golden-book, favorites

This is seriously the best book ever made! I loved it as a child, and still get excited as I read it (aloud of course!) It was the first book I ever bought for my younger cousins, and they loved having me read it to them. My friends in Argentina also got a kick out of having me read it to them, even though it was in English... my excitement was enough to make it worth while! A definite must have for anyone's library. I'm just glad I saved my self a golden book hardcover version, since I see that...more

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Sep 25, 2008 Kerri rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: just-plain-fun, books-for-teaching-writing, picture-books

I was searching for a different book and saw this one. Imagine the song 'Memories' playing in the background as you read this review...

I absolutely loved this book when I was little because Grover was talking to me! The way they used the pages of the book to create a hiding place for the "monster" at the end made it fun for me to read then and again as my boys were growing up.

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Jan 29, 2012 Jody rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-books-from-my-childhood, most-loved

ok so I have a slight Little Golden Book addiction. I love looking high and low for vintage ones.
Of course my favs being, Baby Dear, Little Mommy and So Big. I searched long for these books. I seriously could talk about Golden Books for hours. Eloise Wilkin, was such a prolific illustrator and for me the best. I adore her books.

The first Little Golden Book was first published in 1942 and sold for just 25 cents. The Poky Little Puppy has sold the most copies.
I seriously could write a book on Li...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Samantha rated it 5 of 5 stars

PB#1: I thought this book was a GREAT children's book and can be used to demonstrate multiple lessons. First, since younger kids have trouble with attention spans and tend to have difficulty paying attention for periods of time, this book has the cure. Young children (elementary age or even pre-k) will be interested and on the tip of their toes waiting page-by-page to find out who the monster is going to be. Since there are colorful pictures to help illustrate the story and help with the mental...more

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About Jon Stone

Stone graduated from Williams College in 1952. He received a master's degree from the Yale University School of Drama in 1955, at which time he joined a CBS training program. Before helping to create Sesame Street, he worked on the popular children's television show Captain Kangaroo for CBS. He also worked on several other Muppet projects before and during his time on Sesame Street, and was the au...more

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