Monster Needs a Christmas Tree

Monster & me

by Paul Czajak, Wendy Grieb (Illustrations)

It’s almost Christmastime, and Monster needs a tree. But the holidays are filled with joy and so many fun things to do! After snowballs, sleds, and Santa Claus, will he find a tree in time? In this festive, rhyming story, Monster shows young readers that with a little creativity, a tree can be perfect any way you look at it.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Holiday, Childrens, Monsters, Storytime

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2014

Reviews

[Carrie Charley Brown]

The Monster & Me series continues as Monster's newest need arises. What would his house be like without a Christmas tree? Monster's adventurous spirit leads him to loads of wintry fun when he embarks on his tree hunt. Sometimes the most inventive ideas end up being the greatest. Monster explores the season's best and starts a new tradition in the process. The entire Monster & Me collection is sure to invoke reread requests from children aged 2-8, over and over again. Author Paul Czajak's rhymes encourage playful language which match perfectly with the whimsical illustrations of Wendy Grieb.

[Baby Bookworm]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Well, Christmas is a week away! Just like last year, we’ll be counting down this week with some very merry holiday-themed books, starting tonight with Monster Needs A Christmas Tree, written by Paul Czajak and illustrated by Wendy Grieb, a festive addition to the splendid Monster & Me series.

It’s Christmas Eve, and Monster and his best friend need to get a Christmas tree! After all, they’ll need to have something for Santa to put the gifts under. Strolling into town, they see a line.. to greet Santa! Monster and his boy take a detour to sit on Santa’s lap and give him their wishlists. They should really head to the tree lot – oh but, look! A hill perfect for sledding! And so it goes, with the friends finding lots of wonderful holiday activities to distract them. Unfortunately, when they finally arrive at the tree lot, the last tree has been sold! Oh no! What are they going to do to show Santa they believe?

The Monster & Me books are always a lot of fun, with the colorful big-headed Monster greeting every situation with exuberance. So naturally, a story about getting wrapped up in the holiday season is a perfect fit. The story is pure Christmasy fun, with an unexpected resolution and a satisfying ending. The art is colorful, and while the digital illustrations occasionally look a little too clean, I loved the use of the black-and-white movie-inspired framework for fantasy sequences. The length is good, and JJ liked it, so we can definitely recommend this one to any little monster who wants to celebrate the magic of Christmas. Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Laura]

Monster needs a Christmas tree but when he heads out to get one the line is too long to wait. He decides to engage in other fun winter/Christmas activities during the day, only to be too late at he end of the day at the tree lot and all the Christmas trees are gone. Monster has to come up with a creative way to still get a tree up before Santa comes.

[Lynn Davidson]

A cute rhyming story with lovely illustrations. Monster wanted a Christmas tree but after all the distractions that kept him busy (snowball fight, snowman building, and more) all the trees in the Christmas tree lot were sold. He had to improvise. Cute ideas and situations.

[Jennifer]

This one did not disappoint. Sure to please any fans of Monster Needs a Costume.

[Kathy Broadnax]

Very Cute.

Monster and his friend decide they need to get a Christmas tree.
They end up creating their own.

[Miss Sarah]

Monster and his friend are getting ready for Christmas with meeting Santa and buying a tree. just adorable. Fun and fast paced with lots of heart. Preschool and up

[Library To-Go]

Little Learners 12/19/19 - TG

[ACS Book-finder]

First of all, this is a totally secular, fun book. It has Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and heaps of fun. There is no mention of the origin of Christmas or the birth of the Christ child.

Now, it is a given that the imagination of children often conjures up monsters. So this is a book that treats the "monster in our lives" with a light hand and "Monster" is actually a friend of the child. They are going about their day with a lively happiness that simply leaps off the page at the reader.

I simply love the rhyming verse and it is well done. The art is colorful, bright, lively, cheerful, and engaging. Did I say I like it? I think you get the gist. I like the book, story, and pictures for what it is. Frankly, I'm not a "Santa" endorsing sort of person, but then I'm not a "Monster" endorsing sort of person, either. This is simply a cute story. The rhyme is good. The story full of action and ends very sweetly.

GIVEAWAY: A copy has been reserved for one of our readers to win. Use the form below. Begins October 30 & ENDS November 19 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to US addresses only. http://acsreadershaven.blogspot.com/2...


DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Monster Needs a Christmas Tree was provided by Scarletta Kids Press in exchange for this review. Opinions are solely ours. No compensation was received for the review.

[Vera Godley]

First of all, this is a totally secular, fun book. It has Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and heaps of fun. There is no mention of the origin of Christmas or the birth of the Christ child.


Now, it is a given that the imagination of children often conjures up monsters. So this is a book that treats the "monster in our lives" with a light hand and "Monster" is actually a friend of the child. They are going about their day with a lively happiness that simply leaps off the page at the reader.

I simply love the rhyming verse and it is well done. The art is colorful, bright, lively, cheerful, and engaging. Did I say I like it? I think you get the gist. I like the book, story, and pictures for what it is. Frankly, I'm not a "Santa" endorsing sort of person, but then I'm not a "Monster" endorsing sort of person, either. This is simply a cute story. The rhyme is good. The story full of action and ends very sweetly.

GIVEAWAY: A copy has been reserved for one of our readers to win. Use the form below. Begins October 30 & ENDS November 19 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to US addresses only. http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2014...

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Monster Needs a Christmas Tree was provided by Scarletta Kids Press in exchange for this review. Opinions are solely ours. No compensation was received for the review.

[Sandy]

I like Monster. He has a great time in his adventures even though he is a monster and no one around him notices that he’s big, green and sticks out from everyone else. In this book, Monster and his friend are going to go out looking for a Christmas tree but on the way, they get sidetracked. They begin to do other seasonal things before finally making their way to the store where the trees are sold. The two of them visit Santa, they make snow creatures, have a snowball fight and a few other adventures before they head down to the store to purchase their tree. Their day was a success until they get to the store where they are both disappointed at what occurs there. They head home disappointed and the picture relays to the reader, the sadness that has overcome them. The book does not end is a sad note though, Monster comes through and the duo are happy once again. The illustrations are large and colorful and they are printed on glossy paper. I like the style of font they have chosen for this book, I feel it flows off the page.

[Andrea]

My son loved this book! I won it in a giveaway and read it to him before Christmas this year. It was a huge hit, we read it several more times! We also received advance copies of Monster Needs a Party and Seaver the Weaver. I am excited to see the completed illustrations for these! The stories were amazing and again my son really enjoyed me reading them at bedtime! Thank you Paul for sharing your imagination with our family!

[Debra Martin]

I won this fabulous book and swag from Goodreads! A wonderful Christmas book for young children. Very easy read. Great illustrations. a large hard cover book sturdy for little ones to read over and over. I loved reading the book and can't wait to surprise my grandson with it on Christmas. I know he will love it! Thank you :)

[Jillian]

The story is adorable (much more "Decemberween" than *Christmas*) and the illustrations are fantastic, as always. I really liked that the emphasis was about having fun doing winter activities instead of worrying "will I get that X I reeeeeally want??" and trying to make sure that everything is absolutely perfect. The improvised tree was a great idea.

[Shelli]

Super fun, brilliantly illustrated read to share with children around the holidays. After many digressions Monster’s hopes of finding the perfect Christmas tree are dashed. With a bit of creativity and a lot of household vegetation, a backup plan is made to make this Christmas a memorable one.

[Tracy Schillemore]

This is a really cute Christmas book and it is something different. It is a rhyming books and does not have a ton of text so it should be okay for younger reads. I think that slightly older children will enjoy it too however.

[DeA]

I read this today during storytime and all the children loved it. The were excited for all the activities of Christmas and a snowy day but sad at the end when time had run out for Monster. A great book for any collection.

[Alexandria]

What happens when, in the midst of all your holiday fun, you forget the tree? Monster and his friend figure out how to save their tree-less holiday and solve their problems creatively, after having a great day of holiday fun together.

[Beckie]

This was a cute one. Monster gets distracted doing holiday things and by the time he heads to get a tree, they're all sold old. Monster and his boy must now try and make his own tree in time for Christmas.

[Irontoe]

Another great book in the Monster & Me Series!

[Vicki]

This book has unique character that we don't often connect with Christmas - a monster. Detailed pictures and rhyming text move the story along, even though monster gets distracted along the way.

[Brindi Michele]

this was cute

[Jennifer]

Heehee so cute! :) Just a happy Christmas story! With an adorable monster, of course!

[Maia]

Fun and mischievous ! A monster whose illustrator caught the perfect mix of friendly and monsterish.

[Diane]

Gorgeous illustrations! Love the snow monsters. Students will love this story about the fun and excruciating anticipation of the Christmas season.

[Nanci Booher]

This is my favorite monster picture book series!!!

[The Book Box]

Mama read this book to me today after my nap. I've been carrying it around with me all day, and really like the monster illustrations.

[Jennifer]

Nice rhythm and fun pictures make this a good read-aloud book.

[Ryan]

These books are so much fun. I like the way the characters play and that they find solutions to their problems. They even find a solution for no Christmas tree.

[Debby Baumgartner]

Will monster get a Christmas tree in time for Christmas?