Marilyn's Monster

by Michelle Knudsen, Matt Phelan (Illustrator)

Some of the kids in Marilyn’s class have monsters. Marilyn doesn’t have hers yet, but she can’t just go out and look for one. Your monster has to find you. That’s just the way it works. Marilyn tries to be patient and the kind of girl no monster can resist, but her monster doesn’t come. Could she go out and search for him herself? Even if that’s not the way it works?

Genres: Picture Books, Monsters, Childrens, Friendship, Fantasy, Fiction, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 2015

About the author

I'm the New York Times best-selling author of more than 50 books for young readers for all ages, including the award-winning picture book Library Lion, which was selected by Time magazine as one of the 100 Best Children's Books of All Time. My other books include the picture book Marilyn's Monster (NPR's Best Books of 2015) and the novels The Dragon of Trelian (VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers) and Evil Librarian (YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults; Sid Fleischman Humor Award Winner). My newest book is LUIGI, THE SPIDER WHO WANTED TO BE A KITTEN (a new picture book with the wonderful Kevin Hawkes, published 3/5/2024). Next up will be INTO THE WILD MAGIC, a new middle grade fantasy novel coming August 2025.

I also work as a freelance editor and teach in Lesley University's MFA program in writing for young people.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to Julie Andrews read this on "Julie's Library" and thought it was darling. A sweet, imaginative tale. I enjoyed the "twist" that the children actually *want* their own monster because monsters are so nice and fun and comforting (Marilyn felt so lonely and scared in her bed at night in the dark... she knew she would feel so comforted if she had her monster beside her). It's also a good message about perseverance and following your heart, not just doing what everyone else suggests. I can't speak to the illustrations as this was just a podcast but Julie Andrews does a lovely narration and the accompanying music is charming.

(The podcast is long... lots of preamble and some post-story conversation, including a brief appearance by author Michelle Knudesn.. I enjoyed it all, but if you just want the story start around the 5:00 mark)
https://www.julieslibraryshow.org/epi...

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story with a unique take on monsters. Marilyn keeps waiting for her monster to find her, but eventually takes action to find her monster herself. Only thing I didn't like was how all the monsters were gendered male, calling them he. Aren't there any she or they monsters?

[Rachel Aranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked reading this cute story with my friend’s kids at a pre-Christmas get together. It was cute and showed that there are more than one way for things to happen to each of us in this world.

[Cheryl]

Have to leave unrated because I only saw a few pictures as I listened to Julie Andrews read it. I think it's almost as good as The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend but not quite as resonant, not quite as likely to reach into one's inner spirit where psyche, metaphor, and myth live. It also seemed a bit long at first and it came to an end quickly... but that uneven pacing may be an artifact of listening, rather than reading. I do recommend it. Probably four stars.

[Charli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marilyn is a smart girl, waiting patiently for her monster to find her, but eventually she is not willing to continue waiting when it doesn't show up in good time. She takes the initiative to go and look for her monster and it's a good thing she does!

This is an adorable story about wanting to fit in and having what everyone else has, while still keeping true to yourself. The art is beautiful, soft pastels and not-too-scary monsters.

[Åmîrö ghaderi (≡^∇^≡) · Rating 5 out of 5]

منم یه هیولای گوگولی میخوامممم:(

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of a little girl who decides to go and get what she wants, even though everyone else tells her she is supposed to wait patiently (hey, she tried being pretty and good that one week and nothing happened, so...) for a monster to choose her.



As an adult I felt a little distracted by trying to figure out the "point" of the book -- it seems like it ought to be an allegory or something, but I'm not sure for what. And I thought it was odd that at one point the having-a-monster was presented as a fad, like that one month when everyone in your class had a tomagotchi, and at other times as if it were a natural stage of development that happens to everyone, like puberty. Because wanting something that's in and feeling weird because you're the only who is different are, well, not the same. But kids probably won't be bothered by this.



A monster for every student! Because teaching isn't hard enough...

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

Marilyn pines for a monster of her own. She sees her friends with their monsters, and it takes an overlong time for her to get hers. . .

My group had a lot of concern for Marilyn, but before the story's end, Marilyn had hers.

[Vivian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite sure what the real point of the story is -- having or not having a "monster" or not having what all the other kids have. Hmmm. In the story a monster "comes to" or "finds" its child, much like the daemons in Philip Pullman's GOLDEN COMPASS. When Marilyn's monster never arrives she goes looking for it, going (alone) down the winding path through the woods and into a big field with wildflowers and then into the woods on the other side of the field and then climbs a tall tree where her monster got stuck on its way to finding her.

Is it just me, or do you too find all this a bit disturbing? Not sure how I feel about giving a tacit nod of approval for little ones to 1)crave their own personal monster and 2)go searching ALONE way out of bounds to find and rescue it?

Who knows what a young mind, being very impressionable and likely to take everything literally, will do with this kind of information.

[SilverNediya · Rating 5 out of 5]

منم هیولا می‌خوام

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww. Loved this one! Matt Phelan's emotional illustrations and Michelle Knudsen's sweet story combine to tell a heartfelt story of a young girl's quest to find a friend. Beautiful. I see pairing it with Beekle and having a point of view discussion. Beekle is from the imaginary friend's perspective, and Marilyn's Monster is from the child's perspective.

[Benji Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great book. It is unfortunate that it was published the year after Beekle. The stories really aren't that different.

[Riley Thomas]

Opening Move: Foreshadow the problem of the story
I can use foreshadowing by telling the class the main idea; "A girl named Marilyn is our main character and she is very sad in this book because all of her friends and classmates and even her brother all have their own monsters. In this book, everyone wants a monster, and eventually your monster will come find you and be your friend forever! Unfortunately though, Marilyn's monster runs into some trouble and can't find her. Let's read the story to find out what happens to her monster and see if Marilyn will ever find him."

Opening Move: Raise questions to spark curiosity
I can use this move to open the story by asking students to think back to a time that they wanted something SO bad that they just couldn't wait any longer for it. A few students could share those experiences with the class. I would then lead into the book by saying, "In this story we are going to read, Marilyn has been waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting for her monster to come find her like all of her classmates' monsters did. For some reason, Marilyn's monster just never shows up. So, she decides to go out and investigate for herself."

[Brian Duffy]

Do you have a monster for a pet? [response] Well in this book every girl and boy has a monster for a pet. What would you do with a monster for a pet? [response] Well in this story a girl named Marilyn is waiting for her monster to find her.

- Provide background information
- Prompt hypothesizing based on the situation

Here I just wanted to dissociate monster from danger or scary. And familiarize themselves with a world where are friendly pets.

[Ivy Armitage]

Read Aloud script:
"Raise your hand if anyone has ever told you to do something and you didn't want to do it? (You knew you should but you just didn't want to.) Ok hands down. (pause) Now raise your hand if anyone has ever told you HOW to do something and you wanted to do it a different way? Ok hands down. Is there ONLY ONE WAY to do something and get it done right?" (children respond) Give examples- solving math problems, cleaning your room, making s sandwich, dancing to your favorite song, etc. "What about finding or making a new friend? Is there only one way to do that, or are there different ways to that? (children respond) Well, in this book, Marilyn is trying to find a monster. Not a mean scary monster, but a friendly monster and everyone seems to have a different idea of how Marilyn should do that."

Opening moves used:

Laying the groundwork for helping children understand the theme
Raise interest in a topic or theme
Invite personal connections

[Matthew Hoffart]

1) Prompt hypothesizing based on situation- "Imagine everyone in your class got a special (name popular toy/trinket) except you. Every day a different person came in with a brand new (trinket) and they were so happy. How would that make you feel? What if you were promised one, but had to wait? Would you do anything about it?"
2) Read some of text to engage attention- "In our book, 'Marilyn's Monster', Marilyn is the only person in her class that doesn't have her own monster. She know she is supposed to get one, but it never comes. The only thing that people tell her is, 'Your monster has to find you. That's just the way it works.'" Would that make you feel better. What would you do if you were Marilyn and really wanted a monster?"

[Jillian Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book to pair with The Adventures of Beekle! They complement each other nicely. Great message at the end, too, for perseverance.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of finding ...
THIS IS SO CUTE!!!

I love how Marilyn wasn't afraid to do something out of the ordinary.

Hhhh... A very good way to open the day.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When talking about this book with students I would raise questions in the reader's minds about monsters. "Does anyone believe in monsters? Is anyone afraid of monsters?" This book reminds me of the book "Beekle" that we have read before. Does anyone know any other books about monsters? Which would be helping the students to remind the children of the mark of quality that they already know.

[Megan Orchard]

Boys and girls, I want you to think of a time when someone had something that you really really wanted. How did you feel about not having the same thing as that person? Today we are going to hear a story about a girl, Marilyn, who is waiting to get what everyone else has, their own monster.

-Prompt brief sharing of personal experiences related to the topic or theme.
-Raise questions to spark curiosity.

[Lauren Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do think a monster is? Something scary? Look at the monsters on the front of this book. These monsters are happy. Do you see the smiles on their faces? This little girl in the middle is Marilyn. She is the only child without a monster. Why do you think that is? Let’s find out!

2018 Picture Book Nominee- Golden Sower Award

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely incredible. It's a Show Me Nominee this year so I read it all all my second through fourth grade classes. The students loved it as much as I do. It is sweet and funny with amazing illustrations. We had so many wonderful discussions about taking charge of your own life. How to treat a sibling. How to make friends. Why we sometimes get mad when we are sad or disappointed. Just amazing!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just found a new favorite picture book! It was so loved this week that after reading others, this was asked for every day! The story that includes lots of dialogue shows young Marilyn waiting for her monster. Evidently everyone in her life has one, and hers hasn't shown up yet. Her parents give support, telling that it will show up soon. The rule is to wait, and Marilyn does show patience, but it just becomes too hard, so she goes looking, in spite of rude remarks from her older brother. What happens I'll let you discover, but it is a sweet and satisfying ending. Phelan's pictures are delightful soft watercolors. His monster creations might inspire other monster art and stories! In the back flap he states: "Drawing monsters is probably one of the main reasons I became an illustrator in the first place." If you are interested in a well-crafted story for young children, pick this one!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very clever story kind of flips the monster paradigm. In this story, all children get a monster and that's a cause for celebration. In fact, the main character has the problem of being the only kid without her monster. I don't know that there was a lesson to be learned from all this except that you should make your way in the world and that rules should only be followed if they make sense, but I loved the story and the illustrations to go with it anyway. This was a pleasant story that might help kids to think differently about something that has probably been engrained in their heads for their entire lives. Nicely done.

[Carrie Charley Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soft, genuine sketches mixed with watercolors really drew me into the emotional resonance of this story. Marilyn is the only one in her class that does not have a monster. But because the rules of this story's world establish that each monster needs to choose each child, Marilyn waits. When loneliness and desire overcome her, she sets off to find her monster. The underlying themes of hope, patience, persistence, and taking risks run strong through this story and readers will care about Marilyn being successful.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will be thinking about for a long time, not just because of how good and content it made me feel at the end, but because there's a lot of complexity in the story that I know I missed upon first reading. This is one of those picture books that I can see very clearly being discussed in a university children's lit class because not only does it appeal to kids on an aesthetic level, but it also appeals to adults on an analytic level.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved the reassuring message in this story about a girl who is waiting for her monster companion to find her. She wonders why it seems that everyone else gets their monster so easily? My friend Holly used the perfect adjective for this book: it's therapeutic. And the illustrations are so sweet!

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable, but I also really liked the message that sometimes you have to go out to look for things. Life doesn't always hand you friends ready-made. Phelan's kids are terrifically diverse and relatable. His monsters are absolutely delightful.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest thing I've read in awhile. If only we really got flying monsters as kids to be our everlasting friends.

[Danica Midlil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait to find my monster!