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My Monster and Me
From the winner of The Great British Baking Show and star of Nadiya's Time to Eat comes a heartfelt story to help give children and parents the tools they need to talk about worries and anxiety.
A touching story about a little boy whose worry monster follows him everywhere he goes. It's there when he gets dressed, when he wants to play with his toys, and even when his friends come over to visit. How can he escape his worries?
Having struggled with anxiety for as long as she can remember, Nadiya Hussain has written this heartfelt story to ensure that no child suffers in silence--no matter what shape their worry monster may take.
A touching story about a little boy whose worry monster follows him everywhere he goes. It's there when he gets dressed, when he wants to play with his toys, and even when his friends come over to visit. How can he escape his worries?
Having struggled with anxiety for as long as she can remember, Nadiya Hussain has written this heartfelt story to ensure that no child suffers in silence--no matter what shape their worry monster may take.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
About the author
Nadiya Hussain
58 books399 followersNadiya Hussain is a British baker, columnist, author and television presenter. The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters is her debut novel.
Hussain was born to a British Bangladeshi family in Luton, where she grew up. She developed her interest in cooking while at school and largely self-educated herself in cooking by reading recipe books and watching instructional videos on YouTube. She married and moved to Leeds, where she began studying for an Open University degree. In 2015 she appeared on the BBC's The Great British Bake Off and won the contest. She was subsequently invited to produce a cake for the 90th birthday celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II and to present her own BBC documentary, The Chronicles of Nadiya.
Hussain is a columnist for The Times Magazine and Essentials magazine, has signed publishing deals with Penguin Random House, Hodder Children's Books, and Harlequin. She is also a regular reporter for The One Show and a guest panellist on Loose Women. Hussain was named by Debrett's as one of the 500 most influential people in the UK in 2016. Hussain was on BBC News' 100 Women list in 2016.
Hussain was born to a British Bangladeshi family in Luton, where she grew up. She developed her interest in cooking while at school and largely self-educated herself in cooking by reading recipe books and watching instructional videos on YouTube. She married and moved to Leeds, where she began studying for an Open University degree. In 2015 she appeared on the BBC's The Great British Bake Off and won the contest. She was subsequently invited to produce a cake for the 90th birthday celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II and to present her own BBC documentary, The Chronicles of Nadiya.
Hussain is a columnist for The Times Magazine and Essentials magazine, has signed publishing deals with Penguin Random House, Hodder Children's Books, and Harlequin. She is also a regular reporter for The One Show and a guest panellist on Loose Women. Hussain was named by Debrett's as one of the 500 most influential people in the UK in 2016. Hussain was on BBC News' 100 Women list in 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
March 30, 2021
I like the message of this book and how the monster is a metaphor for anxiety. It's nice how the book teachers that if you talk to a trusted adult, it can help the monster (your anxiety) shrink. I wish it had something about the monster getting big again though because having the monster always stay small after one conversation doesn't seem very realistic in the monster = anxiety comparison.
The illustrations are bright and appealing!
The illustrations are bright and appealing!
April 9, 2021
“The next day, I saw my monster at school. It looked a bit lost, so I picked it up and put it in my pocket. I stroked its fur and it went to sleep. It wasn’t as scary anymore.”
MY MONSTER AND ME, written by Nadiya Hussain and illustrated by Ella Bailey, is a sweet and reassuring story about a little boy with a big, scary worry monster and the power that comes from sharing those worries with a trusted adult.
The little boy is followed everywhere by his anxiety — personified as a big, yellow, furry monster with horns. The monster is there when he’s trying to sleep, when he wants to play with his friends, and even when he goes to school. Nobody else can see him, but the monster is stopping the little boy from living his life. One day it becomes too much and he confides in his grandma. Almost immediately the worry monster begins to shrink! As he continues to share his fears, the monster grows smaller and smaller until the little boy is able to fit him in his pocket and get back to the activities he’s been missing out on.
Inspired by the author’s own lifelong relationship with panic disorder, MY MONSTER AND ME takes a gentle approach to opening up a conversation about anxiety with children. Bailey’s bright and sunny illustrations are the perfect balance to the story’s sometimes heavier content. MY MONSTER AND ME will be a fabulous tool for reassuring children that whatever they’re feeling is normal and can be dealt with — no matter how big and scary it seems.
MY MONSTER AND ME, written by Nadiya Hussain and illustrated by Ella Bailey, is a sweet and reassuring story about a little boy with a big, scary worry monster and the power that comes from sharing those worries with a trusted adult.
The little boy is followed everywhere by his anxiety — personified as a big, yellow, furry monster with horns. The monster is there when he’s trying to sleep, when he wants to play with his friends, and even when he goes to school. Nobody else can see him, but the monster is stopping the little boy from living his life. One day it becomes too much and he confides in his grandma. Almost immediately the worry monster begins to shrink! As he continues to share his fears, the monster grows smaller and smaller until the little boy is able to fit him in his pocket and get back to the activities he’s been missing out on.
Inspired by the author’s own lifelong relationship with panic disorder, MY MONSTER AND ME takes a gentle approach to opening up a conversation about anxiety with children. Bailey’s bright and sunny illustrations are the perfect balance to the story’s sometimes heavier content. MY MONSTER AND ME will be a fabulous tool for reassuring children that whatever they’re feeling is normal and can be dealt with — no matter how big and scary it seems.
July 20, 2026
Cute kids story about anxiety
April 24, 2021
As someone with panic disorder, I really appreciate this story!
April 13, 2021
I’m often skeptical about celebrity children’s books, as so many are vanity projects. But Baking Queen Nadiya Hussain’s picture book is a welcome addition to children’s literature. She draws on personal experience with anxiety to help children feel safe talking about their worries and panic. She also describes taming a monster as a way to calm anxiety. Yet she doesn’t prescribe specific strategies; instead, she models talking to a trusted adult to find your own coping mechanisms.
I’m an adult with anxiety, and Nadiya’s openness about our shared disorder has brought me to tears. In this case, her foreword made me cry for all the kids who suffer from anxiety, but there also are some tears of relief that compassionate souls like Nadiya want to help our kids.
I’m an adult with anxiety, and Nadiya’s openness about our shared disorder has brought me to tears. In this case, her foreword made me cry for all the kids who suffer from anxiety, but there also are some tears of relief that compassionate souls like Nadiya want to help our kids.
June 18, 2021
Hmm, I like the idea of this book and think it could possibly help explain and deal with anxiety in some cases...but I kind of think the monster shouldn't have been drawn so dang cute. Maybe it was intentional so kids wouldn't be scared to face their own monster, though it seems it could have at least been drawn a bit more grumpy or something because this big yellow guy doesn't seem too bad to have around, even if he is a bit big.
March 13, 2022
I *love* Nadiya and I think it’s awesome she wrote about and is vocal about her panic and anxiety struggles. It’s so important.
I liked that this was a little POC kiddo and the frame of this book. The actual story/execution was just ok. It’s hard to do though!
I’d use it.
I liked that this was a little POC kiddo and the frame of this book. The actual story/execution was just ok. It’s hard to do though!
I’d use it.
July 12, 2023
i feel like i needed this book when i was six years old.
Una lectura necesaria para los pequeñines, especialmente para aquellos quienes se sienten perdidos, con miedo o su baja autoestima les gana la mayoría de sus batallas.
Este libro regala un abrazo cálido que mi niño interior necesitaba.🧡
Una lectura necesaria para los pequeñines, especialmente para aquellos quienes se sienten perdidos, con miedo o su baja autoestima les gana la mayoría de sus batallas.
Este libro regala un abrazo cálido que mi niño interior necesitaba.🧡
April 5, 2021
"My monster is a part of me. We've known each other since the beginning."
As someone who takes anti-anxiety medication, as someone who understands panic attacks and worries....I embrace this book wholeheartedly. So many youngsters badly anxiety and panic disorders. We need to destigmatize it. We need kids to feel like they can talk about it, that there are words for their emotions. Truly it is like a monster that never does leave. Which is okay. My counselor once said that acknowledging you have anxiety.....being willing to live in it....give it a name....that's the first step.
It was this time two years ago where my monster, the monster I had lived with my entire life, became too much for me. It's a time I do not regret as it has made me into who I am today. God gets ALL the glory for that....and leading me to the right doctor who got me help. So all in all, I want more exposure of the monsters. People don't need to do this alone <3
As someone who takes anti-anxiety medication, as someone who understands panic attacks and worries....I embrace this book wholeheartedly. So many youngsters badly anxiety and panic disorders. We need to destigmatize it. We need kids to feel like they can talk about it, that there are words for their emotions. Truly it is like a monster that never does leave. Which is okay. My counselor once said that acknowledging you have anxiety.....being willing to live in it....give it a name....that's the first step.
It was this time two years ago where my monster, the monster I had lived with my entire life, became too much for me. It's a time I do not regret as it has made me into who I am today. God gets ALL the glory for that....and leading me to the right doctor who got me help. So all in all, I want more exposure of the monsters. People don't need to do this alone <3
February 21, 2022
This book made me happy reading it because I completely understood the power struggles that were going on with the monster and the main character. This monster is the symbol of anxiety and how it is controlling this child's life and stopping them from doing the things that they want to do. This monster has been controlling every aspect of their life and they have just accepted it because it was how it has always been and no one has been able to stop this monster. This type of power would be coercive power because the monster is making these decisions for the child and telling them to do or not do things. My absolute favorite part of this book is when the power changes between the child and the monster because Gran listens to them talk about this monster and the child gains control over the monster and their own life. It is always going to be a part of them but they know how to control the monster and when the monster starts to "misbehave" the child can take back control.
November 14, 2020
Such lovely book to use to talk about mental well-being and the importance of not keeping worries or problems to yourself. The book is beautiful illustrated.
December 6, 2022
4.5. Sweet and gentle conversation starter for kids with worries or panic attacks.
July 15, 2023
Simplemente encantador. Un cuento que va de la vida, de las emociones y del autocontrol. A veces olvidamos que nuestros monstruos son nuestros y no al revés. La historia nos sumerge en un viaje fascinante a través de la vida y las emociones humanas, recordándonos la importancia del autocontrol en nuestras vidas.
July 20, 2026
Un bel album avec de beaux dessins qui peut parler d'anxiété, de dépression, ou de TOCs.
Une histoire qui parle aussi de sentiments refoulés et de l'importance d'extérioriser, de verbaliser quand ça ne va pas.
Je recommande !
Une histoire qui parle aussi de sentiments refoulés et de l'importance d'extérioriser, de verbaliser quand ça ne va pas.
Je recommande !
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March 20, 2021A child always has a monster with him that no one else can see--and sometimes that monster gets so big, that it stops him from doing all kinds of things. A reflection of author Nadiya Hussain's journey with anxiety, this book focuses on the value in talking about our feelings to help keep our "monsters" at a manageable size.
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June 5, 2021A little boy suffers from anxiety and his "monster" is with him in everything he does. Bright illustrations and heartfelt text remind anxious children that they are not alone and, that with tools and support, their own "monsters" are manageable.
Reviewer #25
Reviewer #25
March 30, 2021
A simple and lovely depiction of a child with anxiety/panic disorder (manifesting as their "monster") and how they learn to live with it.
May 7, 2021
Pair with Ruby Finds a Worry, SEL Lessons.
October 4, 2024
“Why do you read picture books when you are an adult without small children in your life?” This question was posed to me as I sat reading My Monster and Me and it gave me an opportunity to tout the benefits of picture book reading regardless of age. Not only do picture books allow a very brief escape into a quick story accompanied by some beautiful artwork, they also can be incredible ways to introduce yourself to a topic without a lot of heavy detail and facts. In the case of My Monster and Me, readers get a peek at anxiety and panic disorder. I adored how this child defined their panic and anxiety as a “monster” because it gave a face to a feeling that is often difficult for even adults to explain. Then, when the child’s monster grew so large it was inhibitive, the author and illustrator showed one solution to making the “monster” shrink to manageable size: talk to someone!
I’ve adored Nadiya Hussain since seeing her on the Great British Baking Show—and grew to love her more during her appearances on Graham Norton when she was pitching her new cookbooks. She does a beautiful job putting anxiety and panic into a story, giving it a “face,” and sharing a solution. As I said before, this illness is often difficult for adults to explain and understand; I cannot imagine how impossible it must feel for a youngster without life experience or a more vast vocabulary. And, I love that a solution was presented. Talk therapy will not work for everyone but talk can definitely be the first step toward healing.
I’ve adored Nadiya Hussain since seeing her on the Great British Baking Show—and grew to love her more during her appearances on Graham Norton when she was pitching her new cookbooks. She does a beautiful job putting anxiety and panic into a story, giving it a “face,” and sharing a solution. As I said before, this illness is often difficult for adults to explain and understand; I cannot imagine how impossible it must feel for a youngster without life experience or a more vast vocabulary. And, I love that a solution was presented. Talk therapy will not work for everyone but talk can definitely be the first step toward healing.
June 17, 2021
This picture book shows a young child dealing day in and day out with a monster. They are desperate to get rid of it, as the monster is impeding the child from having fun and living their life. Finally the child breaks down and tells a trusted adult and their monster starts to shrink, bringing home the idea that talking about our fears and problems can help us find the tools to make them better. Hussain begins the book with a short author's note about how her anxiety is her monster and that she hoped this story would help encourage young children to start early in sharing their fears and issues so they can get help. This is a strong and useful message that can help children and adults work through socio-emotional learning. I do think that the abstract idea of the monster being anxiety or some other issue may need to be explained to younger children who may think too literally. This would be a good one for one-on-one reading with a trusted adult. Share with anxious children or those that need encouragement to talk about their feelings.
October 22, 2023
This book is probably one of my favorite children's books as it tells the story about a boy who has his "monster" which is really his anxiety follow him everywhere he goes impacting his day-to-day life that is until he speaks to a trusted adult about his monster that follows him and that is when he learns how to control his monster. Anxiety is an underrepresented topic especially with children because there is a stigma that children are too young to have anything to worry about and it causes a lot of suffering in the world. No child should ever feel like they have to bottle all of their emotions and end up self-destructing. This book celebrated themes of resilience, struggle, courage, and bravery, and as an educator, I would incorporate this book in my kindergarten to second-grade classrooms as a representation for those who struggle with anxiety and give them hope. I would also want to encourage them to speak up about any internal struggles they have either with me or a caregiver so that they could be in their best mental space. Absolutely loved this book!
June 25, 2020
My Monster and Me is a fantastic story which I would use with KS1 or lower KS2 children. The story personifies the child's anxious feelings as a monster which causes the effects worrying does, such as stopping you from being able to sleep and hiding when others come to help. This is a fantastic way of helping younger children to understand their emotions through an accessible and friendly book. As the child in the story learns to deal with his anxious thoughts, for example through talking, the monster gets smaller in size, relating to the worrying thoughts reducing. The boy then learns how he can live with his monster and he knows it is there but if it starts to grow again he has the skills to deal with it. I would have this in my classroom and read it as a read-aloud book to KS1 and lower KS2 children as well as using it as a one-to-one book to help specific children who may be struggling with their emotions.
June 9, 2022
We are all born with monsters that sometimes scare us and grow "oh! so big".
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𝐌𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 is written by award winning and very talented author Nadiya Hussain and this book is published by Penguin Random House Canada that talks about 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 children. Honestly, I can't count how many times I have read this book so far with my kids and still it didn't lose its beauty and attraction because its message is very clear and super cute illustrations make it suitable for ages 3+.
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Giving name to your emotion, understanding it in pictorial form, ways to ask for help is something that can help young children better deal with 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 in them.
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Fear is one of the most basic human emotions. It is programmed into the nervous system and works like an instinct. From the time we're infants, we are equipped with the survival instincts necessary to respond with fear when we sense danger or feel unsafe and this message is beautifully explained in this book.
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𝐌𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 is written by award winning and very talented author Nadiya Hussain and this book is published by Penguin Random House Canada that talks about 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 children. Honestly, I can't count how many times I have read this book so far with my kids and still it didn't lose its beauty and attraction because its message is very clear and super cute illustrations make it suitable for ages 3+.
.
Giving name to your emotion, understanding it in pictorial form, ways to ask for help is something that can help young children better deal with 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 in them.
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Fear is one of the most basic human emotions. It is programmed into the nervous system and works like an instinct. From the time we're infants, we are equipped with the survival instincts necessary to respond with fear when we sense danger or feel unsafe and this message is beautifully explained in this book.
April 24, 2023
This book is about a little girl who experiences anxiety and diverse feelings but finds comfort and courage in her imaginary friend, a kind and understanding monster. The girl learns to be more self-assured and resilient in the face of adversity from her monster as they play together and assist each other in overcoming obstacles. Young readers particularly those who deal with anxiety or feelings of isolation find the book to be a popular choice because of its message of self-acceptance and companionship as well as its vibrant and humorous artwork.
For its captivating plot and likable characters, "My Monster and Me" has won praise from critics and is regarded as a must-read among children's books that support mental health and welfare.
This book has become an essential read for younger children who are learning how to deal with their mental health problems. I would rate this a 5 out of 5.
For its captivating plot and likable characters, "My Monster and Me" has won praise from critics and is regarded as a must-read among children's books that support mental health and welfare.
This book has become an essential read for younger children who are learning how to deal with their mental health problems. I would rate this a 5 out of 5.
March 30, 2021
Wow, a book I could have used as a child! Fantastic way of manifesting anxiety into a cute (but occasionally menacing) monster. Encourages a child to talk about the "monster" that is acting as a barrier to them playing with friends etc. And I really like that it doesn't cast the anxiety monster as something to be vanquished, since it is a part of the child. Really fantastic lesson about honouring the parts of yourself that sometimes flare up in inconvenient ways and finding a way to live with what you've got. Can't imagine it done better than this.
Recommended for kids dealing with anxiety or wondering what anxiety feels like for others (especially if they have a friend who sometimes doesn't want to play because they are anxious). Accessible for the very young but will be useful for children up to age 8.
Recommended for kids dealing with anxiety or wondering what anxiety feels like for others (especially if they have a friend who sometimes doesn't want to play because they are anxious). Accessible for the very young but will be useful for children up to age 8.
July 9, 2021
“My monster is a part of me. We’ve known each other from the beginning.”
No one ever sees his monster but him. It always seems to hide when Mom or Dad or his brother are around. And it keeps getting bigger and bossier, not letting him go outside to play with friends or even play with his toys. Until one day, it followed the boy to grandma’s house. When the boy tells his grandma about the monster, it starts to get smaller until it fits in his pocket. When it tries to come out, he just tells the monster to behave.
I like how at the beginning of the book, the illustrations shows the monster bigger than the boy and at the end, the boy is bigger. I think that’s a great visual for kids. The author explains in a note that when she was a child, she suffered from a panic disorder and she wrote this book to try to help kids understand that they don’t have to suffer in silence.
No one ever sees his monster but him. It always seems to hide when Mom or Dad or his brother are around. And it keeps getting bigger and bossier, not letting him go outside to play with friends or even play with his toys. Until one day, it followed the boy to grandma’s house. When the boy tells his grandma about the monster, it starts to get smaller until it fits in his pocket. When it tries to come out, he just tells the monster to behave.
I like how at the beginning of the book, the illustrations shows the monster bigger than the boy and at the end, the boy is bigger. I think that’s a great visual for kids. The author explains in a note that when she was a child, she suffered from a panic disorder and she wrote this book to try to help kids understand that they don’t have to suffer in silence.
October 13, 2021
"My Monster and Me" uses the "monster" as a metaphor for anxiety/worry etc for children, but adults can certainly relate. The back cover says "Wherever this little boy goes, his worry monster follows. Can he learn how to leave his monster behind?" There's also a friendly note at the beginning from the author about growing up with panic disorder that is addressed more to adult readers than to children. I really like the story and illustrations -- my one caveat is that it would have been ideal if at some point the "worry" aspect of this monster had been spelled out within the story as it is on the back cover/introductory letter. Generally I would not say that-- I'm all for metaphor!!!-- but I think many kids might interpret this more literally as a monster that lives with the narrator. I'd love to be wrong about that. I will read to my preschoolers and report back on how they respond.
April 29, 2021
Feelings of anxiety, fear, and anger can be overpowering at times - especially for a young child who truly does not understand what is happening. In this book, these out of control emotions are represented a monster. The child knows the monster is there - and it grows bigger and more controlling. Finally, the child confides to his grandmother that he just feels overwhelmed by this emotion-filled monster. And as he talks and grandmother listens - the monster begins to grow smaller. This book is an excellent reminder of how helpful discussing our emotions can be and that everyone should have someone they can talk to about how they feel. It can also help other children empathize with a friend or family member that might be overcome by their feelings at times.
May 24, 2021
My Monster and Me talks about anxiety and what it looks and feels like from a child’s point of view in an interesting way.
The monster represents the boy’s anxiety who went everywhere with the boy. The many ways anxiety affects daily life is accurately illustrated through well-drawn scenes.
It’s not until someone sits down to listen to the boy – allowing him to fully express how the monster makes him feel – that his anxiety lessens. The ending I liked a lot for its authenticity and hope of a brighter tomorrow.
I think this is a good way to start open conversations about our fears and worries. I liked reading this story with its wonderful illustrations and representation of anxiety.
The monster represents the boy’s anxiety who went everywhere with the boy. The many ways anxiety affects daily life is accurately illustrated through well-drawn scenes.
It’s not until someone sits down to listen to the boy – allowing him to fully express how the monster makes him feel – that his anxiety lessens. The ending I liked a lot for its authenticity and hope of a brighter tomorrow.
I think this is a good way to start open conversations about our fears and worries. I liked reading this story with its wonderful illustrations and representation of anxiety.
September 25, 2021
This book is a sweet story about a boy and his 'monster' - some reviews refer to it as a 'worry monster', I thought of it as a manifestation of his anxiety, but the book doesn't actually specify. The monster really starts to interfere with the boy's day to day life, until he finally talks to his grandmother about it. I appreciate the lesson that the monster can vary in size, and that talking about it can help. I do wonder if the book could've been a bit more explicit about getting help for it, though, and that it can come back (the monster was small and docile at the end, which was a little optimistic perhaps). Still, as a gentle introduction to the concept of worry/anxiety, it's pretty well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews