What do you think?
Monster & me
Monster Needs His Sleep
It’s time for bed, and Monster needs to go to sleep. But he just keeps finding more things to stay awake for! It isn’t until Monster admits he is afraid of the dark that he finds a glowing solution to his nighttime problem.
In this playful, rhyming story, Monster shows young readers that, with a little help from a friend, the dark isn’t that scary after all.
In this playful, rhyming story, Monster shows young readers that, with a little help from a friend, the dark isn’t that scary after all.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 8, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 8, 2014
Monster's back, and in true form; full of energy! Kids will relate to Monster, who wants to do everything except go to bed. Like many, Monster needs to face a common nighttime fear. The theme of friendship glows as Boy supports Monster through the ups and downs. Paul Czajak propels this story forward with innovative, lively rhymes that amp up the vocabulary. Wendy Grieb's illustrations are the perfect companion.
February 15, 2015
This is a book that I can't wait to read with my small son again and again. It is chock full of wonderful vocabulary, and if you're a fan of They Might Be Giants, you might get a little surprise, as the book pays homage to a certain "little glowing friend."
May 25, 2014
There have been a lot of monster books lately and this is the best one I have read so far. The rhyming text, the creative artwork come together for a really good bedtime story!
July 25, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book though it didn't fit what I needed for my Story Time so I didn't use it. However, at the time of writing this review, the QR Code and the website do NOT lead to a kid friendly website. I don't know if it will ever be fixed as it's hard to get domains back once they've been lost. I just want to warn other parents and caregivers that the website leads to an adult site, so just beware. If you get this book, you may either want an earlier edition or maybe cover the qr code and website until the issue is fixed.
But other than that issue, this is a wonderful book!
But other than that issue, this is a wonderful book!
October 30, 2017
My son and I love this story. This is our bedtime every night! I admire the way that the author keeps agency in the narrative firmly with the child and there are no nagging adults telling the monster he must go to bed. The rhyme is good and the book is relatable and entertaining. Highly recommend for reluctant bed-goers.
April 28, 2021
I really love this one. It is so cute about a little boy putting his monster to bed. It rhymes so perfectly and it just made me laugh when the little monster fell out of bed so dramatically. ha ha I remember my own little monsters coming and telling me they fell out of bed with their very best acting skills. :]
October 14, 2018
The verse could use a little polish, but it's enjoyable. I feel like the illustrations are trying to get kids to identify with adults who have to put children to bed. It would be interesting to see if it had any effect on their iwn bedtime routines.
July 10, 2023
I learned of this book after watching this warning video from Betsy Bird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oO9A... . This is a great example of what can happen when a book/publisher cites webpages, social media, etc.
December 12, 2016
There are many distractions to keep a kid from going to bed. And monsters are not any better. I Love these books.
June 8, 2017
Great vocabulary, good combination of sight words with a few new and interesting words thrown in. The boy's body language and facial expressions are priceless.
November 16, 2017
Monster is adorable as usual.
June 18, 2018
Monster just won't go to bed no matter what the little boy does. Can he finally get him to bed? Fun. preschool and up
January 7, 2019
I love this series!
March 14, 2020
This monster showed a strong resemblance to a certain toddler in our house...lol
June 8, 2024
A monster avoids going to bed. What parent of a small child can't relate to this?!? The night light was super gross. The illustrations were all right.
October 9, 2024
the story is cute but i wouldn't use it in st because of the dark colors used in the book and the monster is a bit scary for littles
January 12, 2017
This is a cute book about a boy trying to get monster to go to sleep but Monster has other ideas. Finally monster goes to sleep after the boy helps him conquer his fears. This is written in a rhyme that is soothing as the monster drags out things to play with rather than go to sleep. Fun for little kids to listen to and see that the little boy is the brave one and the monster has fears.
March 20, 2023
I thought this book was very cute to help motivate kids to go to sleep interacting with monsters. My 3-year-old sister loved this book and found it very entertaining. It as well had rhyming in the book. This book is a yes and no for a classroom library its more of a bedtime book.
April 24, 2015
This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book BlogWere they talking about my kid? I joke I joke (kind of...not really.)
The Monster & Me series is adorable. This is our second book. We first had the Christmas book, Monster Needs a Christmas Tree. Since we enjoyed that one, we picked this up at our local Target.
It is an adorable story of a boy and his monster who needs to go to sleep, told in a sing-song rhyme. But there are so many things to do! Monster wants play, read, needs a drink - you get the idea. Pretty much its my kids at bed time.
The illustrations are pretty awesome. There is something about the color combinations used that I loved. Also, the Monster is a really cool not scary one so kids should be fine.
My kids love this one (and the Christmas one which stays out all year). I think it is a combination that it is visually appealing and the story is short enough and rhymes. It also has a cute little ending about not being scared to go to bed, which can't hurt!
For more reviews visit Rebel Mommy Book Blog
The Monster & Me series is adorable. This is our second book. We first had the Christmas book, Monster Needs a Christmas Tree. Since we enjoyed that one, we picked this up at our local Target.
It is an adorable story of a boy and his monster who needs to go to sleep, told in a sing-song rhyme. But there are so many things to do! Monster wants play, read, needs a drink - you get the idea. Pretty much its my kids at bed time.
The illustrations are pretty awesome. There is something about the color combinations used that I loved. Also, the Monster is a really cool not scary one so kids should be fine.
My kids love this one (and the Christmas one which stays out all year). I think it is a combination that it is visually appealing and the story is short enough and rhymes. It also has a cute little ending about not being scared to go to bed, which can't hurt!
For more reviews visit Rebel Mommy Book Blog
February 14, 2017
Beautiful illustrations; predictable plot
January 12, 2015
“Monster Needs His Sleep” is the second book in the Monster series by Paul Czajak and it is an absolutely wonderful bed time book. In fact, it is an “any time” fun book to read. The story is in a rhyming-type format and the pictures are so colorful. What also makes the book fun is that it’s the kid who is trying to get the monster to go to sleep, instead of Mom & Dad ( a great role reversal). The Monster makes all kinds of excuses for not going to sleep and these same excuses will probably sound very familiar to any child reading the book with their parents.
The author Paul Czajak, who once got an “F” on his college writing paper, has done an excellent job in making a story about bed time such fun, and illustrator Wendy Grieb’s pictures are very appealing and even energetic. Although the target age is preschool through kindergarten, this is a great book for all kids. I eagerly look forward to the other “monster” books in this series! (reviewed by P.Howard)
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher, Scarletta Press, in exchange for our review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.
The author Paul Czajak, who once got an “F” on his college writing paper, has done an excellent job in making a story about bed time such fun, and illustrator Wendy Grieb’s pictures are very appealing and even energetic. Although the target age is preschool through kindergarten, this is a great book for all kids. I eagerly look forward to the other “monster” books in this series! (reviewed by P.Howard)
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher, Scarletta Press, in exchange for our review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.
September 28, 2015
You just have to love Monster and all his antics as he just wants to live every day to its fullest. In this novel, it is time for bed but Monster is just not quite ready to call it a day. There is much more that Monster wants to do before shutting his eyes. His friend, the boy, tries his hardest to get Monster to bed but being a Monster-naut seemed like a better idea and having a read-a-thon sounded better than climbing into bed. Flipping the TV on, Monster finds something there that inspires him but it isn’t long before the boy is dragging Monster off to bed. As Monster climbs into bed, he realizes that there are still things he needs before he can drift off to sleep. The boy is losing his patience but he gets Monster what he needs and as he tucks Monster in finally for the night the boy face is beaming. Now Monsters can be afraid of the dark too and the boy comes through again for Monster, as a true friend should. I really enjoy these Monster books. The illustrations are bright, bold and colorful and the fonts are big and fun to read. The stories are entertaining and his adventures always leave a smile on my face.
November 3, 2015
Summary
It's time for bed, and Monster needs to go to sleep. But he just keeps finding more things to stay awake for! It isn't until Monster admits he is afraid of the dark that he finds a glowing solution to his nighttime problem. In this playful, rhyming story, Monster shows young readers that, with a little help from a friend, the dark isn't that scary after all.
Author Notes
Paul Czajak got an F with the words "get a tutor" on his college writing paper and after that, never thought he'd become a writer. But after spending twenty years as a chemist, he knew his creativity could no longer be contained. Paul lives in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. In addition to the Monster & Me™ series, he is also the author of Seaver the Weaver . Wendy Grieb is a professional working in the Los Angeles animation industry and teaching animation. She is also an Annie Award-winning storyboard artist, who has worked as a developmental artist, illustrator, and character designer for companies such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Sony, Klasky-Csupo, White Wolf, and more.
It's time for bed, and Monster needs to go to sleep. But he just keeps finding more things to stay awake for! It isn't until Monster admits he is afraid of the dark that he finds a glowing solution to his nighttime problem. In this playful, rhyming story, Monster shows young readers that, with a little help from a friend, the dark isn't that scary after all.
Author Notes
Paul Czajak got an F with the words "get a tutor" on his college writing paper and after that, never thought he'd become a writer. But after spending twenty years as a chemist, he knew his creativity could no longer be contained. Paul lives in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. In addition to the Monster & Me™ series, he is also the author of Seaver the Weaver . Wendy Grieb is a professional working in the Los Angeles animation industry and teaching animation. She is also an Annie Award-winning storyboard artist, who has worked as a developmental artist, illustrator, and character designer for companies such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Sony, Klasky-Csupo, White Wolf, and more.
November 17, 2016
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, everyone! Our book today is Monster Needs His Sleep, written by Paul Czajak and illustrated by Wendy Grieb, an adorable bedtime book for little monsters.
It’s Monster’s bedtime, but while his young friend tries to get him to get ready and lie down, Monster keeps finding distractions and excuses to stay awake, like reading books, needing a glass of water, or a sudden need to watch a documentary about the Boston Symphony. Is he being difficult, or could it be… Monster is scared of the dark?
This very cute bedtime book is part of the Monster & Me series by Czajak, and it’s a fantastic addition to the collection. The rhymes are charming and fun to read aloud, and the illustrations are brimming with color and personality. The length is perfect for baby bookworms, and JJ was having fun the whole way through. This is a great book, both as part of its series and as a standalone, and perfect for little monsters who enjoy a fun bedtime story. Baby Bookworm approved!
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
October 24, 2015
"Then Monster went to grab his books ... "We'll have a read-a-thon!"
Monster doesn't want to go to sleep and can find many things to do instead. But when the truth comes out about his fear of the dark, the boy has a bright blue solution for him. "Monster yawned a toothy yawn, not fearful anymore. And by the time I left the room ... I heard a monstrous snore.
I love the way the child in this series acts as the parent. The illustrations are filled with fun details and the rhyming text sings.
Monster doesn't want to go to sleep and can find many things to do instead. But when the truth comes out about his fear of the dark, the boy has a bright blue solution for him. "Monster yawned a toothy yawn, not fearful anymore. And by the time I left the room ... I heard a monstrous snore.
I love the way the child in this series acts as the parent. The illustrations are filled with fun details and the rhyming text sings.
March 1, 2014
Like many of us, Monster has a few fears, and he avoids his fear of the dark by avoiding having to go to sleep. The narrator comes up with all sorts of ways to comfort and distract him until finally, both of them can slip off into slumber. The rhyming lines and vividly-colored illustrations add to the book's fun. Many readers will be able to relate to how Monster doesn't want to admit to being afraid.
May 16, 2014
The language is fun and a bit challenging, which I think is fantastic for parents wanting to teach their kids new words. The pictures too are wonderfully drawn with cute details added to the rooms of the house they're in.
Overall, the themes of friendship, fighting fears and getting a good night's sleep are easily tackled and quite endearing.
Overall, the themes of friendship, fighting fears and getting a good night's sleep are easily tackled and quite endearing.
August 1, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The rhymes make for good fun (and it doesn't hurt with the early literacy skills) but there are a few big words that I fear could cause confusion if I were to use this in a preschool storytime, but the story seems to young for a school-aged one. A good one-on-one read, I think.
February 21, 2015
Who would have thought that a monster actually needs to sleep. This one has a hard time going to bed because he was to do everything. Then we find out his big secret: he's afraid of the dark. There is a cute solution to this problem and he is soon off to dream land. This is one for story time and not bedtime. This book will give little ones lots of ideas to stay up, if read at bedtime. Cute read!
May 22, 2016
The rhyme on this is somehow not as catchy as Monster Needs a Costume, but still quite good. Illustrations charming.
But, Connor at age 2 doesn't need more ideas about how to procrastinate for bed. And for some reason he isn't interested in this book.
It might be a good book if your child has fear of the night.
But, Connor at age 2 doesn't need more ideas about how to procrastinate for bed. And for some reason he isn't interested in this book.
It might be a good book if your child has fear of the night.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews