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The Problem With Not Being Scared of Monsters
Who knew there was a problem with not being scared of monsters? The hero of this story knows it—all too well. Because he's not scared, the monsters think he's one of them. And now, they're way too friendly. They want to share everything! Which is, of course, a disaster. Good thing there's a terrified little brother to come to the rescue. With an understated text and hilarious illustrations, this picture book will have kids laughing away their fears.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 2, 2014
Okay but not as much fun as Mercer Mayer's classics.
June 9, 2018
PreS-Gr 2- In this follow up to The Problem With Not Being Scared of Monsters, Richards gives the monsters a chance to tell their story. These silly-looking creatures want to make some friends, but sadly, children dash away, scared, before they get to know them. Games become lonely, interests go unshared, and worst of all, Halloween's a bust. Even after consulting self-help books, the results remain the same. Kids just can't see beyond their differences; visually, crazy colours set the monsters apart from the children and their conservative hues. It takes one child to change things, for finally, one boy reaches out, pulling the octopus monster over the turning page to join in the fun. Richards' reuses the monsters and the child from his previous book to pair these stories through their theme of friendship, and the frustrations of their protagonists. VERDICT While this book does deliver its message effectively, it is nothing special when compared to others like You Will Be My Friend, which takes this formula to the next level. However, because its design, colours, and simple statements with punctuating wordart, targets a younger audience than most, it is one to consider.
*reviewed for School Library Journal
*reviewed for School Library Journal
June 21, 2017
THE PROBLEM WITH NOT BEING SCARED OF MONSTERS
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The kid laughed, so that means an automatic rating of three stars!
The illustrations are bright and entertaining. However, what I did not enjoy are the similarities between some of the monster illustrations and Where the Wild Things Are.
September 16, 2020
Despite it's colorful cover and illustration, this book and it's companion (...not being scared of kids) are a tough sell in my school library these past 3 years. Even the counselors gave it a pass for using as a read aloud. After trying to find an audience for both books, I have to admit that the "stories" are just too strange, and make room on our shelf for other books.
May 9, 2024
Most people are scared of monsters lingering about, hiding under one's bed, and in the closet, but what is the effect when one is not scared of monsters? Read along as the protagonist shares with the reader just how life can be when one is not scared of monsters. Fun read!
November 8, 2017
Fun read aloud to facilitate mini discussions on what illustrations are showing us.
December 6, 2017
Funny and clever.
October 24, 2018
The last page is my favorite. You can't escape the monsters. :)
July 4, 2023
Cute
January 19, 2016
Review #1
Grades K-3
APA Citation:
Paulson, Sara Lissa. (August 1, 2014) [Review of the book The Problem With Not Being Scared of Monsters by by Dan Richards]. School Library Journal, 60(8), 78.
Paulson is particularly complimentary of the illustrations in this book and suggests that they capture a wide variety of playful and colorful monsters. She suggests that this is a book that monster-loving children will want to come back to over and over again.
Review #2
Ages 2-5
APA Citation (unknown author):
(2014, June 1). [Review of the book The Problem With Not Being Scared of Monsters by Dan Richards]. Kirkus Reviews.
The author of this review is less than enthusiastic and points to the monsters being more of an annoyance than creatures the child should welcome or introduce to his little brother. However, the reviewer does make the point that the illustrations are very well done and should come across as lovable even to very young readers.
My Review
While the storyline is unconventional, the illustrations are likely to draw even very young children back to this book just to explore all the sizes, shapes, and colors of the lovable monsters. It almost seems to be a tale of the things you might do with some mischievous friends. The end of the book was a bit of a letdown as it seemed to be building to a more exciting finish.
Grades K-3
APA Citation:
Paulson, Sara Lissa. (August 1, 2014) [Review of the book The Problem With Not Being Scared of Monsters by by Dan Richards]. School Library Journal, 60(8), 78.
Paulson is particularly complimentary of the illustrations in this book and suggests that they capture a wide variety of playful and colorful monsters. She suggests that this is a book that monster-loving children will want to come back to over and over again.
Review #2
Ages 2-5
APA Citation (unknown author):
(2014, June 1). [Review of the book The Problem With Not Being Scared of Monsters by Dan Richards]. Kirkus Reviews.
The author of this review is less than enthusiastic and points to the monsters being more of an annoyance than creatures the child should welcome or introduce to his little brother. However, the reviewer does make the point that the illustrations are very well done and should come across as lovable even to very young readers.
My Review
While the storyline is unconventional, the illustrations are likely to draw even very young children back to this book just to explore all the sizes, shapes, and colors of the lovable monsters. It almost seems to be a tale of the things you might do with some mischievous friends. The end of the book was a bit of a letdown as it seemed to be building to a more exciting finish.
March 28, 2016
Most people probably think that being afraid of something is a problem. Being frightened of spiders or the dark or clowns can really disrupt your life, and sometimes get you laughed at by others. But did you know that NOT being scared can also be a problem sometimes? It's true, especially if you are not scared of monsters. Because if they don't scare you, then the monsters want to hang out with you and treat you as one of the gang. The boy narrating this story has the worst trouble with monsters hogging the bed, trying on his pajamas, misplacing his homework - it's always something with those monsters. When he finally sends them out of his room, then he has a whole new set of problems to handle.
Perfect for young readers who may be a little nervous about the monster under the bed (or in the closet). This doesn't downplay their fear, but it shows them that there are other problems when it comes to monsters in your life. It might even convince them that monsters are cool, or at least a little funny. For fans of "Monsters. Inc." "Monsters U," and Where the Wild Things Are, this book will tickle their funny bones in just the right way.
Perfect for young readers who may be a little nervous about the monster under the bed (or in the closet). This doesn't downplay their fear, but it shows them that there are other problems when it comes to monsters in your life. It might even convince them that monsters are cool, or at least a little funny. For fans of "Monsters. Inc." "Monsters U," and Where the Wild Things Are, this book will tickle their funny bones in just the right way.
October 21, 2014
This is one of those children's books that takes common childhood fears and turns them on their heads, in the most delightful of ways. Kids will love the role-reversal humor and colorful artwork. The two work together perfectly to create a very fun read for preschoolers and early elementary readers (and the adults who care for them)!
August 8, 2014
Fun for the very youngest crowd, great to read aloud.
Review on my blog: http://vst3in.wordpress.com/2014/08/0...
I support Independent Booksellers. You can , too: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978162...
Review on my blog: http://vst3in.wordpress.com/2014/08/0...
I support Independent Booksellers. You can , too: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978162...
March 3, 2015
Colorful, imaginative illustrations of a wide variety of monsters fill this accounting of all the problems associated with not being scared of monsters. Sweet and funny at the same time. Simple, sparse text.
August 19, 2014
The humor is in the illustrations which are quite cute...for monsters!
October 9, 2014
A nice addition to a Monster collection. I would definitely read it at a monster or scary storytime.
Not super great or funny but good enough. I like the illustrations.
Not super great or funny but good enough. I like the illustrations.
October 31, 2014
i liked it all the way until the end...a bit confusing. (not holiday but good for reading around Halloween)
November 11, 2014
Adorable pictures, cute story, horrid typography on all but one page.
December 24, 2014
3.25 Stars It was a cute concept with nice pictures--I wasn't thrilled by it but not bad!
January 22, 2015
A great monster book for the little guys. Short text, great pictures and not super scary.
July 19, 2015
cute concept but the story was lacking - it didn't really 'make' the concept for me.
October 14, 2015
I enjoyed the great illustrations and the unique problems of having monsters as your companions.
July 5, 2014
It was cute. The illustrations weren't my taste.
January 1, 2015
cute, cute
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December 1, 2017I was on board with this . . . with all the fun monsters and what they did to annoy this kid . . . but then the ending confused me. How did I get confused by the end of a picture book?
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews