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The Block Mess Monster
The Block Mess Monster is huge. He’s really scary. And he does not like it when Calpurnia’s room has to be cleaned up. Even though Mom can’t see the monster, the monster can see her, and Calpurnia has had to save her many times. This time, though,Mom might just have a few tricks up her sleeve . . .
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 27, 2008
About the author
Betsy Howie
16 books4 followersAfter graduating from high school, Betsy moved to New York City where she attended New York University and studied acting at the renowned Stella Adler Studio. She wrote the book for Cowgirls, a musical that she also performed in, which was staged across the country. In 1987, Betsy produced and performed in Caryl Churchill's Top Girls with fellow staff members from Phebe's bar on the Bowery, at the nearby New Theater.
Betsy was a prolific writer. During her life, she wrote numerous books, including a humorous memoir, Callie's Tally: An Accounting of Baby's First Year (Or, What My Daughter Owes Me), and the novel Snow. She also wrote many children's books under the pen name Howie Dewin.
Betsy was a prolific writer. During her life, she wrote numerous books, including a humorous memoir, Callie's Tally: An Accounting of Baby's First Year (Or, What My Daughter Owes Me), and the novel Snow. She also wrote many children's books under the pen name Howie Dewin.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 23, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Realistic
Grade Level: 1
The Block Mess Monster is a well illustrated book that will activate children's imaginations. I thought it was very engaging and well written. The one thing I wasn't a fan of is how it portrayed the mother as a monster. I wouldn't want idea to take root in young minds. Other than that I thought it was a cute story that will be easy for young readers.
Grade Level: 1
The Block Mess Monster is a well illustrated book that will activate children's imaginations. I thought it was very engaging and well written. The one thing I wasn't a fan of is how it portrayed the mother as a monster. I wouldn't want idea to take root in young minds. Other than that I thought it was a cute story that will be easy for young readers.
July 10, 2023
Reminds me of my littlest
December 19, 2016
Most of the time, I prefer to write my own summaries of the books I review, but in this case, I am struggling. I feel like I'm missing something, because I haven't heard anyone else saying they were confused by this book, but I have a number of problems with it. Therefore, I'm going to let the book jacket speak for the book's content, and I will then attempt to explain why I had such a hard time sorting it out.
From the book jacket: "The Block Mess Monster is huge He's really scary. And he does not like it when Calpurnia's room has to be cleaned up. Even though Mom can't see the monster, the monster can see her, and Calpurnia has had to save her many times. This time, though, Mom might just have a few tricks up her sleeve."
I think my main issue with this book is that I suspected, from the beginning, that Calpurnia's fear of the monster was an invented ploy to convince her mother to clean up her mess for her. Calpurnia's spunky, Eloise-esque tone of voice gave me the idea that she was in complete control of everything, and that she wasn't afraid, she was just not interested in cleaning up after herself.
When I reached the ending, though, where essentially, her mother just picks up the mess for her, I had to rethink all my expectations. It seems, based on a second reading, that Calpurnia is truly afraid of the monster, and that her mother's solution, in the end, works because she finally buys into the belief that there is a monster and steps in to guide him out of the blocks herself.
My response to that, though, is so what? Calpurnia is an awesome, well-developed character. Her tone of voice is spot-on, and the illustrations of the block mess, her mother's frustrated face, even her quirky little outfits, are delightful. But this story has no arc! There is no emotional resolution because nothing happens to Calpurnia. She starts out afraid of a monster, remains afraid of the monster for the duration of the story, and then allows her mother to confront the monster on her behalf, at which point she praises her mom for having good ideas.
I just don't get it. I don't see this as a book for children. It's more like Boss Baby and Walk On! by Marla Frazee, which look like picture books but actually have greater adult appeal. (And I love those books, for the record. I just don't read them to kids.) Sure, parents can relate to the frustration of having a child who refuses to clean up, or who fears a monster they know doesn't exist, but I think children would be bored by this book, because the main character is so passive, and remains entirely unchanged from beginning to end.
I really want to like this book, and so much of it is so good, right up until the very end. Unfortunately, I have to say that the ending spoiled it for me, and that I probably wouldn't go out of my way to recommend the book because of that.
From the book jacket: "The Block Mess Monster is huge He's really scary. And he does not like it when Calpurnia's room has to be cleaned up. Even though Mom can't see the monster, the monster can see her, and Calpurnia has had to save her many times. This time, though, Mom might just have a few tricks up her sleeve."
I think my main issue with this book is that I suspected, from the beginning, that Calpurnia's fear of the monster was an invented ploy to convince her mother to clean up her mess for her. Calpurnia's spunky, Eloise-esque tone of voice gave me the idea that she was in complete control of everything, and that she wasn't afraid, she was just not interested in cleaning up after herself.
When I reached the ending, though, where essentially, her mother just picks up the mess for her, I had to rethink all my expectations. It seems, based on a second reading, that Calpurnia is truly afraid of the monster, and that her mother's solution, in the end, works because she finally buys into the belief that there is a monster and steps in to guide him out of the blocks herself.
My response to that, though, is so what? Calpurnia is an awesome, well-developed character. Her tone of voice is spot-on, and the illustrations of the block mess, her mother's frustrated face, even her quirky little outfits, are delightful. But this story has no arc! There is no emotional resolution because nothing happens to Calpurnia. She starts out afraid of a monster, remains afraid of the monster for the duration of the story, and then allows her mother to confront the monster on her behalf, at which point she praises her mom for having good ideas.
I just don't get it. I don't see this as a book for children. It's more like Boss Baby and Walk On! by Marla Frazee, which look like picture books but actually have greater adult appeal. (And I love those books, for the record. I just don't read them to kids.) Sure, parents can relate to the frustration of having a child who refuses to clean up, or who fears a monster they know doesn't exist, but I think children would be bored by this book, because the main character is so passive, and remains entirely unchanged from beginning to end.
I really want to like this book, and so much of it is so good, right up until the very end. Unfortunately, I have to say that the ending spoiled it for me, and that I probably wouldn't go out of my way to recommend the book because of that.
December 16, 2012
Calpurnia is a serial-costume-wearer and she has a problem. Namely, her messy room has taken on a life of its own, a threatening one. Her mom wants her to clean it up, but Calpurnia is scared of the monster mess. How can her mom not see it?
It's a cute book with cute illustrations. However, my one big nitpick is that Calpurnia seems to dress up as a Native American, complete with feathered headband. Cultures are not costumes and it's disheartening to see a vibrant group of human beings reduced to the same level as a fairy princess gown. Additionally, feathered headbands and headdresses have a strong religious component, so it's frustrating and insulting to see a child prance around in religious paraphernalia as part of her play.
It's a cute book with cute illustrations. However, my one big nitpick is that Calpurnia seems to dress up as a Native American, complete with feathered headband. Cultures are not costumes and it's disheartening to see a vibrant group of human beings reduced to the same level as a fairy princess gown. Additionally, feathered headbands and headdresses have a strong religious component, so it's frustrating and insulting to see a child prance around in religious paraphernalia as part of her play.
July 13, 2008
Here's a new book my daughter and I found at the library and have had a lot of fun with. Calpurnia's mom wants her to clean up her room, but Calpurnia is prevented from doing so because of the ever lurking "Block Mess Monster."
I love reading this book because I can really throw myself into the role with lines like "Clean up your room, Calpurnia!" and "Calpurnia, I'm losing my patience!" My daughter has also integrated "Goodness gracious, Calpurnia!" into her daily repertoire of retorts and random comments.
Fun read!
I love reading this book because I can really throw myself into the role with lines like "Clean up your room, Calpurnia!" and "Calpurnia, I'm losing my patience!" My daughter has also integrated "Goodness gracious, Calpurnia!" into her daily repertoire of retorts and random comments.
Fun read!
October 16, 2016
I read about The Block Mess Monster on Literacious back in July, and I finally got it from the library. I asked Christopher if he knew about the Loch Ness Monster. He didn't, so the title was lost on him. I liked it though.
This book is cute. The little girl cannot clean up her room because there is a monster. The Block Mess Monster. But her mother doesn't believe her. She has a bit of an attitude at the beginning, but the ending is really cute. (Christopher didn't like this one as much.)
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/10/juv...
This book is cute. The little girl cannot clean up her room because there is a monster. The Block Mess Monster. But her mother doesn't believe her. She has a bit of an attitude at the beginning, but the ending is really cute. (Christopher didn't like this one as much.)
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/10/juv...
August 4, 2008
Calpurnia has a monster in her room made out of building blocks, the Block Mess Monster. She can't clean it up, or the monster will get mad at her. Her mother is loosing her patience and has an idea to have the monster help clean Calpurnia's room. It seems to work, and the Block Mess Monster can finally be put away.
December 22, 2019
The main character--a kid--has a problem, and an adult solves it for her. How boring for a kid to have to listen to a story like that. Listen to this ending: "Sometimes it's hard for Mom to pay attention. But when she finally does, she comes up with the best ideas."
I'm a mom, and reading that made even *me* cringe!
I'm a mom, and reading that made even *me* cringe!
August 3, 2016
This book had a lot of good illustrations. I think it would be good when trying to get students to learn about cleaning up. This books all about a young child who doesn't want to clean because the blocks have turned into a monster and they must fight them off first. It reminded me a lot of an Amelia Bedilia book.
June 18, 2013
I was told that this book is great for starting discussions with your kids about cleaning their rooms. And it is! Plus creative and clever and fun to read. I just wish that after reading it together my kids had responded by cleaning their rooms, rather than handing me the next book to read out-loud. :)
September 27, 2008
Calpurnia has a problem. There is a block mess monster in her room that will not go away, but Calpurnia's mother wants Calpurnia to clean her room and get rid of the monster. One can sense the frustration Calpurnia has as well as her mother. A different way at looking at a common problem.
Read
June 26, 2009The little girl in this room won't clean her room because of a monster. But in the end, her mom finds a way to play along and get the monster to clean itself up. Not a great book-no moral or lesson or problem solving for the child/main character.
April 30, 2011
Found this little gem at the library. After repeated check-outs/renewals due to overwhelming request to have it read, coupled with pure sadness each time it was returned, we ended up buying this book.
March 20, 2012
Cute story about a young girl with a very messy room, she is convinced that her messy pile of blocks in her room is really a monster and tries to convince her mom to come attack it for her, or really clean up her daughter's mess. About responsibility and learning to take care of your own messes.
March 9, 2016
A little girl is required to clean up her room, but her blocks are a Block Mess Monster and she's scared to do it. After some frustration, her mother manages a solution.
Nice enough illustrations.
Nice enough illustrations.
October 14, 2008
The concept was cute but it fell kinda flat.
November 5, 2008
cute book.
Want to Read
June 28, 2009Very cute
October 25, 2009
More of a challenge in cleaning up than a straight monster book, this title starring sometimes snarky Calpurnia is just plain cute. May or may not be part of the Monster Mash!
July 14, 2016
3.5 STARS
A cute story of a little girl whose mother keeps telling her to clean her room, but she can't.... because the mess is actually a monster!
A cute story of a little girl whose mother keeps telling her to clean her room, but she can't.... because the mess is actually a monster!
April 9, 2011
I think this book is cute to read to younger children. It talks about taking responsibility to clean up after yourself.
April 17, 2011
A good book to use to get young students to understand the importance of cleaning up behind themselves.
October 19, 2011
This is a delightful book told from a child's point of view on cleaning up her room.
January 12, 2012
We just got this from the library yesterday and we have already read it about fifteen times. My two-year-old loves it!
June 7, 2012
Illustrations are wonderful!!!! C.B. Decker is unbelievable!
September 27, 2013
Illustrations are nice. I like the concept of "block mess monster" but the ending was quick. Overall, a cute book with a great point of view of a child.
January 19, 2014
My little brother got this book from the library.I thought I might like it so I read it . But I didn't like it much.
November 11, 2015
' "Calpurnia!" She says, "I am losing my patience." Oh great. Now there are two monsters.'
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews