Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
46th out of 109 books
—
92 voters
I Need My Monster
Scholastic Book Club Selection
Alabama Camellia Award list, 2010-11, K-1 category
A unique monster-under-the-bed story with the perfect balance of giggles and shivers, this picture book relies on the power of humor over fear, appeals to a child’s love for creatures both alarming and absurd, and glorifies the scope of a child’s imagination. One night, when Ethan checks under...more
Alabama Camellia Award list, 2010-11, K-1 category
A unique monster-under-the-bed story with the perfect balance of giggles and shivers, this picture book relies on the power of humor over fear, appeals to a child’s love for creatures both alarming and absurd, and glorifies the scope of a child’s imagination. One night, when Ethan checks under...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
April 1st 2009
by Flashlight Press
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,033)
What a great idea, turn something stereo-typically scary for young kids and make it into a story of trust and friendship! This story is great to read to children, or have them read, because it is a very easy to follow narrative. Ethan's (the little kid in the story) critique of each monster is very entertaining, and their reactions are just as humorous. This book would be a great choice to read to your child if they were scared of monsters under their bed or in the closet, as it depicts the mons...more
I can't believe I am 37 and about to review a children's book, I just have to accept that I am old and am now actually going to start reviewing the things in my boy's life. Give me just a moment to wipe my tears.
O.k. I am better, now that I have moved on to the acceptance stage of aging let me say I will try not to make this sound like a book report to Sister Nancy, but the last time I tried to explain a book with pictures in it I was in grade school doing book reports. I do suppose I review com...more
O.k. I am better, now that I have moved on to the acceptance stage of aging let me say I will try not to make this sound like a book report to Sister Nancy, but the last time I tried to explain a book with pictures in it I was in grade school doing book reports. I do suppose I review com...more
I thought this children's book was fantastic! The plot of the story grabbed my attention and kept me interested from the beginning to the end. I really enjoyed the illustrations and I think that they tied in well to the story. On of the most noticeable things that I found when reading this book was the abundance of academic language that is used to tell the story. From verbs to adjectives, Amanda Noll, author of "I need My Monster", challenges young readers to extend their vocabulary. Noll uses...more
Ethan has a problem. Gabe, the monster who lives under his bed, has gone on vacation, and it’s not easy to find a substitute monster as scary as Gabe. Herbert’s teeth aren’t sharp enough, Ralph’s claws are too manicured, Cynthia has a very non-scary pink bow on her tail, and Mack’s tongue reduces Ethan to giggles. How will he ever get to sleep without his nightly scare? There is a subversive appeal to I Need My Monster. Ethan manages just fine without his parents’ help, and he isn’t fooled by tr...more
When Ethan checks under his bed, he finds a note from his monster:
Gone Fishing. Back in a week. –Gabe
Ethan needed a monster under his bed to sleep. He missed the ragged breathing, the sound of claws on the floor, and the green ooze. So Ethan taps on the floor and waits. A series of monsters appears, each one missing one of the important qualities Ethan needs. Finally, after rejecting his fourth monster, Gabe returns to fill Ethan’s sleep with his own special scariness.
This clever book could have...more
Gone Fishing. Back in a week. –Gabe
Ethan needed a monster under his bed to sleep. He missed the ragged breathing, the sound of claws on the floor, and the green ooze. So Ethan taps on the floor and waits. A series of monsters appears, each one missing one of the important qualities Ethan needs. Finally, after rejecting his fourth monster, Gabe returns to fill Ethan’s sleep with his own special scariness.
This clever book could have...more
Ethan is a little boy that is trying to go to sleep. However, the monster under his bed has taken a vacation and gone fishing. Ethan can't go to bed withouth is monster. His monster, Gabe, keeps him from getting out of bed at night. So, Ethan knocks on the floor and next thing you know substitute monsters start showing up in place of Gabe. However, Ethan is very picky about what kind of monster he wants. Ethan sends back five monsters because they just aren't right for him. Finally, in the end G...more
Ethan is like most other children in this world: he knows that monsters are real and that they live under beds. But he actually sort of likes his monster, unlike other children who are just plain terrified of them. Don't get him wrong, his monster does scare him, but besides that they have a pretty good relationship. But then one night, Ethan discovers a note from Gabe, his monster, saying that Gabe had gone fishing and would be back in a week. This is not good. What will Ethan do without his mo...more
While on one of my many trips to Barnes and Nobles by my house in search of a good read aloud book for my students, I found one in the childrens section for my nephew. He is four years old and has been afraid of the dark in past months. Although he sleeps with a bug night light and his little brother, he was afraid of going to sleep because of monsters. I found this book to help cause him to face his fear of monsters once and for all! I Need My Monster by Amada Noll is a great book for kids who...more
I won this on FirstReads!!! We love monsters in this house. I can't wait to read this with the boys.
Updated October 29, 2009 - We got this in the mail yesterday. Great timing for Halloween. One of my 9-yr-olds immediately grabbed it and took off with it. He told me later "it was really awesome and I think the little boys will like it but there's one scary part, but it ends up being funny."
I read it to everyone today and the verdict was "it was so funny and a little scary, but mostly funny. Read...more
Updated October 29, 2009 - We got this in the mail yesterday. Great timing for Halloween. One of my 9-yr-olds immediately grabbed it and took off with it. He told me later "it was really awesome and I think the little boys will like it but there's one scary part, but it ends up being funny."
I read it to everyone today and the verdict was "it was so funny and a little scary, but mostly funny. Read...more
“I Need My Monster” by Amanda Noll is about a boy named Ethan who has a monster under his bed that goes fishing. Ethan can’t get to sleep without his monster so he waits for a new monster to appear that fills his monster’s place. Ethan then meets a monster named Herbert who doesn’t scare Ethan because he doesn’t have good monster claws. Next a monster named Ralph comes who has big claws but they have nail polish on them and aren’t scary to Ethan. Next, a girl monster comes named Cynthia. She has...more
"I Need My Monster" explores a young boy's conviction that monsters under the bed are a necessity for a good night's sleep! And not just any monster will do. His usual monster takes a vacation, so the boy must find a substitute while his own monster is away. The interview process is hilarious! Once you've read it to them, your kids will notice the clues to the different colored monsters in the cover's title.
This is a picture book that strikes a balance between the friendly but glorious scariness...more
This is a picture book that strikes a balance between the friendly but glorious scariness...more
Ahhhhh! The monster under my bed is missing!! Wait, isn't that a good thing? In the children's book, I Need My Monster, Ethan checks under his bed to find a note that his monster is out of town. Monster Gabe went fishing and someone needs to replace him! When substitute monsters arrive, no one is as scary as Gabe! We all know monster aren't real, so this makes for a great fantasy read for all ages (boys and girls!) I myself really enjoyed it! How was Ethan supposed to stay in bed if he didn't ha...more
A little boy sleeps with a monster under his bed that he keeps as a pet and they protect each other. One day, his monster goes fishing, so the boy trys out some new monsters to keep under his bed while he is gone. The boy is discouraged because none of these new monsters are as scary and cool as his first monster, but at the end of the book, his monster comes back home and he is happy.
I would recommend this book for second graders because they may still be scared of the dark or monsters so this...more
I would recommend this book for second graders because they may still be scared of the dark or monsters so this...more
This book is about a little boy who has a monster under his bed. Instead of being scared by it, he actually needs him to fall asleep at night. His monster decided to take a break from his scaring duties to go on a fishing trip. The boy tried very hard to find a substitute monster for the night but none of them were up to his standards. After meeting many new monsters, his came back from the fishing trip and the boy was able to finally fall asleep. This book would be perfect for any young child e...more
I completely surprised myself and loved this little charmer! It tells the story of a little boy whose monster-under-the-bed, named Gabe, is away one evening. The poor little boy cannot sleep without his monster--all the familiar friendship and comfort of his ooozy slime and ragged breathing and his long, sharp claws... When other monsters try to fill-in, it's perfectly clear that no one but Gabe will truly do! I love how this story touches on how children can find such a deliciousness in being "...more
5 likes · like · see review
view all 4 comments
Grades K-2
In a tale that's a little reminiscent of "Monsters, Inc.," Ethan has just discovered that the monster that inhabits the area underneath his bed has taken off for a week's vacation. How is he supposed to get to sleep without his monster there? What's to keep him in bed if there's no threat of sharp claws and equally sharp teeth and oozy slime? Several replacement monsters show up over the course of the evening, but there's something wrong with each one: no sharp claws on one; nail polis...more
In a tale that's a little reminiscent of "Monsters, Inc.," Ethan has just discovered that the monster that inhabits the area underneath his bed has taken off for a week's vacation. How is he supposed to get to sleep without his monster there? What's to keep him in bed if there's no threat of sharp claws and equally sharp teeth and oozy slime? Several replacement monsters show up over the course of the evening, but there's something wrong with each one: no sharp claws on one; nail polis...more
I love this book! This would be a great read aloud for early elementary students. When a young boy's monster Gabe goes fishing, the boy fears he will not get to sleep without the monster's ragged breathing and the sound of his sharp claws. Several monsters try to fill in for the vacationing Gabe, but fail to scare the boy. Gabe returns early from his fishing vacation to once again take his place underneath the boy's bed. This is a delightful twist on the monster book. The illustrations are fabul...more
Audience: I think little boys would like this book over little girls. Boys think monster are cool and little girls are scared of them. This book would be good for 2nd graders, but most would probably need help with some of the emotions that are present in this book.
Appeal: This book is really exciting, with a touch of scary. It makes you want to see what happens while the little boy interviews all the monsters and if he will find one to replace his.
Application: This book would go well when talki...more
Appeal: This book is really exciting, with a touch of scary. It makes you want to see what happens while the little boy interviews all the monsters and if he will find one to replace his.
Application: This book would go well when talki...more
Audience: Primarily for children who are in second or third grade and younger, this book is great for young children who are scared of there being monsters under their bed.
Appeal: The boy in the book can't sleep, because his monster is not under his bed. The monsters try to find a replacement, but none of them are good enough for the boy. Children will be able to relate to there being a monster under the bed, but this book protrays the monster as being a friend to the boy.
Application: This book...more
Appeal: The boy in the book can't sleep, because his monster is not under his bed. The monsters try to find a replacement, but none of them are good enough for the boy. Children will be able to relate to there being a monster under the bed, but this book protrays the monster as being a friend to the boy.
Application: This book...more
Audience: 2nd or 3rd grade class
Appeal: During Halloween
Application: We would read the book as a class. Then we would have a class discussion about times where they may have felt like they were in the same situation. Maybe they had a babysitter or a substitute teacher and they missed their parents or teacher.
Then I would have them go to their desks where they would use crayons and paper to create three new monsters. They would then write one or two sentences using adjectives to describe each mon...more
Appeal: During Halloween
Application: We would read the book as a class. Then we would have a class discussion about times where they may have felt like they were in the same situation. Maybe they had a babysitter or a substitute teacher and they missed their parents or teacher.
Then I would have them go to their desks where they would use crayons and paper to create three new monsters. They would then write one or two sentences using adjectives to describe each mon...more
Ethan climbs into bed one night and finds a note under the bed from his monster: Gone fishing. Back in a week. -Gabe
Gabe is the perfect monster: he has perfect breathing, perfect claws and a great green ooze. How will Gabe ever sleep without a monster under his bed to keep him scared and tucked in?
He decides to get a replacement monster. The first replacement monster that comes in had claws that weren't long enough. Then came a monster with nail polish on his claws! Ethan goes through several mo...more
Gabe is the perfect monster: he has perfect breathing, perfect claws and a great green ooze. How will Gabe ever sleep without a monster under his bed to keep him scared and tucked in?
He decides to get a replacement monster. The first replacement monster that comes in had claws that weren't long enough. Then came a monster with nail polish on his claws! Ethan goes through several mo...more
This book is great for little kids, both boys and girls alike. This book would be great for student's who love to read, and even those who are a little more reluctant. It's a great book for kindergarten through second graders. This book draws you in with the main character realizing his monster, Gabe, that lives under his bed has gone fishing for a week. He spends the night trying to find a substitute monster to help him sleep at night while Gabe is away. He encounters many monsters throughout t...more
This is such a fun book! I read it to my 2-yo granddaughter, and she now begs for it every time she spends the night. She loves monster books. The plot is a bit of an unexpected twist from the average monster book. This kid's monster has decided to go off on an extended fishing trip. Now there's no one to keep the kid in his bed. He needs the fear his monster instills in order to keep him from wandering around the house at night. Several new monsters try out for the position, but they don't quit...more
Amanda Noll has written a humorous and original book for children about a boy missing the monster lurking beneath his bed at night. I love the power of Ethan's imagination! What a great way to help kids turn their fears into laughter. This book is an entertaining read for both children and adults -- one that will elicit growls and slurps as each character is acted out. It will certainly become a bedtime favorite begging to be read repeatedly. Howard McWilliam's illustrations are bold and eye-pop...more
Summary: Ethan monster, Gabe is on vacation. Ethan finds that with no monster he can’t sleep so he gets a replacement monster, but all of the substitute monsters just are not scary enough for Ethan. Some lack claws, another has too long a tongue, and one is even a girl! Ethan can’t have a girl monster under his bed and he can’t sleep without his monster! What will Ethan do while Gabe is gone fishing?
Review: This was a very cute book with beautiful illustrations. The story is very sweet and the b...more
Review: This was a very cute book with beautiful illustrations. The story is very sweet and the b...more
Review:I'm just going to come right out and say it, "I Need My Monster" is my absolute favorite book so far in my goodreads bookshelf. It is so funny, so different, and the pictures are amazing. Any adult will want to sit and stare at the detail because it's so fascinating. "I Need My Monster" turns the scary monster that kids think is under their bed, inside out. Instead of a kid who is worried about monsters, Ethan is used to his. Gabe is the monster that lives under Ethan's bed, and he is the...more
This 2012 NE Golden Sower Nominee is sure to be a hit in any K-2 classroom, even for those reluctant readers. Boys especially will amused with young Ethan's dilemma. His regular under-the-bed monster, Gabe, has gone fishing, and he doesn't know how he'll manage to get to sleep without being properly scared. Monster-loving children will enjoy the colorful illustrations that show off several different substitute monsters who are creepy, icky and oozing. But are they scary enough and have the right...more
Sophia saw a new picture book on the table. "Can I read this?"
"I was going to read it to everybody." I replied.
"I'll read it to everybody. Can I read it now?"
How could I resist? I couldn't help but smile as I took photo after photo as she read aloud and her big brother and three little sisters cuddled in together on our big couch, listening and laughing and pointing. Brent smiled and gave me is look that says, "this is heaven for you,isn't it?" And it was!
This book gets five stars, not becau...more
"I was going to read it to everybody." I replied.
"I'll read it to everybody. Can I read it now?"
How could I resist? I couldn't help but smile as I took photo after photo as she read aloud and her big brother and three little sisters cuddled in together on our big couch, listening and laughing and pointing. Brent smiled and gave me is look that says, "this is heaven for you,isn't it?" And it was!
This book gets five stars, not becau...more
When a young boy gets in bed one night and finds that his monster, Gabe, has left to go fishing for a week, he's not sure what to do. He can't sleep without his monster under the bed to keep him from leaving his bed. He carefully gets out of bed and knocks on the floor under his bed, hoping this would bring a substitute. Several monsters attempt to help him out. But the young boy is particular about the length and appearance of monster claws. Also, the tail has to be just right. None of these mo...more
This book puts a hilarious spin on the classic children's (and in my case, adult's) fear of the dark. Every child goes through a phase where he or she swears that there is a monster under the bed or in the closet. In this story, the little boy likes that there is a monster! In fact, he can't fall asleep with his monster, Gabe, underneath the bed. But on this night, Gabe has gone fishing, and the young boy auditions several monsters to substitute. However, none of the monsters are quite as scary...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
