| I Need My Monster Written by Amanda Noll Illustrated by Howard McWilliam |
One night, when Ethan checks under the bed for his monster, he finds a note instead:
"Gone fishing. Back in a week. –Gabe"
What will Ethan do? He needs a monster under his bed. How is he supposed to get to
sleep if his monster is gone?
Substitute monsters appear, but none are just right. Herbert's teeth aren't sharp enough,
Mack's slobbering induces giggles, Cynthia's tail isn't scary at all, and Ralph has nail polish
on his claws! This will never work! How will Ethan ever get to sleep without his monster?
I Need My Monster is a unique monster-under-the-bed story for all monster-loving kids.
The perfect balance of giggles and shivers will keep you under your covers, and you'll soon
be sleeping soundly.
"Gone fishing. Back in a week. –Gabe"
What will Ethan do? He needs a monster under his bed. How is he supposed to get to
sleep if his monster is gone?
Substitute monsters appear, but none are just right. Herbert's teeth aren't sharp enough,
Mack's slobbering induces giggles, Cynthia's tail isn't scary at all, and Ralph has nail polish
on his claws! This will never work! How will Ethan ever get to sleep without his monster?
I Need My Monster is a unique monster-under-the-bed story for all monster-loving kids.
The perfect balance of giggles and shivers will keep you under your covers, and you'll soon
be sleeping soundly.
Hardcover, 32 full color pages, ages 4-8
ISBN 9780979974625, April 2009
ISBN 9780979974625, April 2009
Praise for I Need My Monster:
* A Storytelling World Award Honor Book 2010
* An Indie Next Kids' Pick, summer 2009
* An Arizona Grand Canyon Readers' Choice Award nominee 2011-12
* a Mock Caldecott Honor book on Dr. Quinn's Book Blog
"I Need My Monster is one to take a look at..." Ed Spicer, a member of the 2009 Caldecott committee, in
discussing books that he feels "fly under the radar" and are worthy of being in the Caldecott discussion, in an interview and
video (go to 8 minutes 20 seconds on the clip).
"...an unusually well done double-debut." Kirkus Reviews
"The same kids who loved [Newbery winning author] Neil Gaiman’s The Wolves in the Walls are sure to
appreciate I Need My Monster, too. Highly recommended." Kirsten Kowalewski, Monster Librarian.com
"Monster tale so sly it oozes excellence... superbly silly... irresistible... a perfect read-aloud for squirmy youngsters,
especially boys.... exquisitely creepy, perfect for... all monster-lovers." Judy Green, The Sacramento Bee
"I Need My Monster is a must-read for any discerning monster-lover. A perfect bedtime companion. I'm keeping one
copy on the nightstand, and one under the bed!" Edward Hemingway, Bump in the Night
"Between the simple hilarity of the story itself and the amazing, gorgeous illustrations, I Need My Monster is a
brilliant piece of picture book work. Boys and girls alike are going to love it and it's perfect for calming down bedtime
jitters. I'm buying it for every kid I know. Simple as that. —Amanda Snow, A Patchwork of Books
"The dark humor is perfectly matched to McWilliam’s creepy-cute artwork. Any potential scariness in the text and
art is offset by the silly details that are included, making for a fun nighttime read for those who enjoy a bit of shiver as
they are tucked in to bed. This would also make a great read-aloud for a slightly older audience at a night-themed
storyhour." School Library Journal
"Even my middle school students tried to pry it out of my hands to take home to read to their little brothers and
sisters….a satisfying twist to bedtime stories that enables the child to crave scarier and scarier monsters, to laugh at our
fears and to curl up in the end, deliciously scared of letting our toes dangle over the edge.… Be sure to put the book
jacket out where students can touch and shiver with delight. Come on, how can you miss when you have an eyeball
for the letter 'O'?" Diane Chen, Practically Paradise blog, School Library Journal
"Dramatic in perspective, McWilliam's exaggerated, digitally colored art renders the monsters in a spectrum of neon hues
and outlandish shapes. The collaborators ably balance some bedtime chills with humor, and Ethan's enthusiasm for his
monster should prove infectious." PW
"...turns the tables on monster fears ...Noll's slyly humorous text is a suitably wry counterpoint to McWilliam’s dark-hued,
exaggerated paintings of the bobble-headed Ethan and his alternately scary and silly beasts. The entire effort strikes a nice
balance between creepy and comforting, but especially endearing is Gabe’s early return home as he huddles beneath the
bed like a faithful dog and says, “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to start the evening with an ominous puddle of drool.”
That’s friendship for you." Daniel Kraus, Booklist
"In this humorous, comically exaggerated reversal of the usual fear of monsters there is plenty of good-natured scary
stuff." Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz, Children's Literature
"Beautifully moody illustrations give this story its atmosphere of dark spookiness. The colours glow and these excellent
monsters are the most interesting range of characters imaginable." Scholastic Child Education Magazine, UK
"Fabulously illustrated, this is a wonderful book about change, loyalty, and friendship, all wrapped up in a
lovable, huggable monster! Oh, wait, did I say lovable and huggable? I meant SCARY!!!!" Antonia at Kepler's, Staff
Recommendation
With illustrations that are vivid, bold, and wholly appealing, and a story that ensnares you from the first page, I Need My
Monster is genuinely brilliant. Perfect for story time, this one flirts frightening moments, yet is jam packed with fun and
giggles. – changing hands bookstore kids team 5 stars on GoodReads.com
"Masterfully lit fish-eyed views, fur, fangs, claws and interesting perspectives make seven monsters just scary enough to
spotlight the spunk of the picky, pajamaed lad who screens them... a really fun spin on bedtime anxiety and being
afraid of being in your bed alone... and then being in control of that fear... Stunningly gorgeous...." Mark and Andrea,
Just One More Book.com podcast. Listen to the full podcast here: Just One More Book or read a transcript of Mark
and Andrea discussing I Need My Monster, by clicking here.
"...one of the best children’s books this reviewer has read recently....This is the perfect bed time story that your
child will want to read night after night." Jennifer LeBrun, Sacramento Book Review
I Need My Monster, along with Where the Wild Things Are, Leonardo the Terrible Monster, and When a Monster is
Born, are part of the Reflection theme of the first nine weeks of school, at TeacherThinkTank.com
"The drawings reminded me of Monster's Inc. with all the charming saliva-dripping fangs, rolling multiple eyeballs,
and colorful warts. ...I think [McWilliams] has a fiendishly promising career. ...A monstrously cute tale proclaiming...
that monster's can be our friends!" Women's Press
"Children will laugh at the boy's nighttime trials, but watch out, because if Gabe comes back, even fearless Ethan will get a
shiver or two." OC Family
"McWilliam’s delightful cartoony illustrations parade a menagerie of strange monsters while keeping them humorous and
non-threatening for the reader. Striking a nice balance between funny and creepy, this offering should please young
monster lovers." Bayviews
"This book is simply FABAWESOMAZING! (I couldn't pick just one word to describe its coolness so you got three in
one.) Madness by Mattie blog
" The Writing Room.com, Catherine A. Winn
"[the pictures] glow with life and color and perfectly express the dark night, full of imagination. And the story is perfect….
This is a new and exuberant riff on an old idea." Jean Little Library blog
A suggested summer read on the Book It! website. Book It! is a reading incentive program for schools sponsored by
Pizza Hut.
"The illustrations pair perfectly with this unusual tale of friendship. The young ones may scream as you read, but when you’
re done they will be asking for more." Florida Library Youth Program
"...a treat to read aloud.... A perfect pairing [of illustrations] with the text.... ideal for pajama story times because the
monsters are frightening but great fun. It reads aloud well and offers readers a great range of voices and sound effects."
Tasha Saecker, director of the Menasha, Wisconsin, Public Library
"What a super turnaround of a story! Every child will want their own monster!" —HealthyBooks.co.uk
"Overall, this is a super title with excellent illustrations and a fun read! I would highly recommend I Need My
Monster for libraries with large budgets!" Alisha Baber, Lane Education Service District
"Striking, illustrations of cinema-quality cartoon art add just the right touch to this bedtime book perfect for parents to
share with young people savvy enough to enjoy the irony of the premise!" Midwest Book Review, Children's Bookwatch
"I admit I picked up this book because of its adorable illustrations, but I assure you the story is just as cute.... I won't spoil
the ending, but it's sure to send your kiddos off to LaLa Land with a smile on their faces." Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt, Boy
Book Club, It's Good to Be the Queen.com
"A picture book for children ages 4-8 about an under-the-bed monster who takes off fishing for a week, forcing the bed's
occupant — a monster-loving boy — to turn to totally inadequate substitutes." The Seattle Times
"Many children are afraid of monsters, but not Ethan. Ethan needs his slobbery, scary beast, named Gabe, who has
suddenly disappeared. Join Ethan as monster after monster appears under his bed, and watch as he turns down each one,
claiming they’re too dopey, well-groomed or – and this one’s the worst – a girl. Children will laugh at the boy’s nighttime
trials, but watch out, because if Gabe comes back, even fearless Ethan will get a shiver or two." Inland Empire Family
"I Need My Monster is a very funny book your kids will love! The illustrations are breathtaking and the plot is both
lighthearted and meaningful." — Once Upon a Good Time.com
"...The last story I read was I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll. This was the only story I read that actually might be
considered scary. The illustrations, done by Howard McWilliam, are absolutely awesome. A young boy can't sleep
because his monster was on vacation. He interviews other monsters looking for long scary claws, creepy ooze, and a
spiked tail. When none of the other monsters come close, he worries that he won't ever get to sleep. Fortunately his
monster returns early from vacation and he is able to shiver himself to sleep." Storytime Book Nook.com
An interview with illustrator Howard McWilliam.
"The sly humor of Noll partnered with McWilliam's dark, digitally colored art, helps defuse nighttime concerns and replace
them with the realization that a child can overcome their fears." PBwithJ.com
Read full reviews here.
* A Storytelling World Award Honor Book 2010
* An Indie Next Kids' Pick, summer 2009
* An Arizona Grand Canyon Readers' Choice Award nominee 2011-12
* a Mock Caldecott Honor book on Dr. Quinn's Book Blog
"I Need My Monster is one to take a look at..." Ed Spicer, a member of the 2009 Caldecott committee, in
discussing books that he feels "fly under the radar" and are worthy of being in the Caldecott discussion, in an interview and
video (go to 8 minutes 20 seconds on the clip).
"...an unusually well done double-debut." Kirkus Reviews
"The same kids who loved [Newbery winning author] Neil Gaiman’s The Wolves in the Walls are sure to
appreciate I Need My Monster, too. Highly recommended." Kirsten Kowalewski, Monster Librarian.com
"Monster tale so sly it oozes excellence... superbly silly... irresistible... a perfect read-aloud for squirmy youngsters,
especially boys.... exquisitely creepy, perfect for... all monster-lovers." Judy Green, The Sacramento Bee
"I Need My Monster is a must-read for any discerning monster-lover. A perfect bedtime companion. I'm keeping one
copy on the nightstand, and one under the bed!" Edward Hemingway, Bump in the Night
"Between the simple hilarity of the story itself and the amazing, gorgeous illustrations, I Need My Monster is a
brilliant piece of picture book work. Boys and girls alike are going to love it and it's perfect for calming down bedtime
jitters. I'm buying it for every kid I know. Simple as that. —Amanda Snow, A Patchwork of Books
"The dark humor is perfectly matched to McWilliam’s creepy-cute artwork. Any potential scariness in the text and
art is offset by the silly details that are included, making for a fun nighttime read for those who enjoy a bit of shiver as
they are tucked in to bed. This would also make a great read-aloud for a slightly older audience at a night-themed
storyhour." School Library Journal
"Even my middle school students tried to pry it out of my hands to take home to read to their little brothers and
sisters….a satisfying twist to bedtime stories that enables the child to crave scarier and scarier monsters, to laugh at our
fears and to curl up in the end, deliciously scared of letting our toes dangle over the edge.… Be sure to put the book
jacket out where students can touch and shiver with delight. Come on, how can you miss when you have an eyeball
for the letter 'O'?" Diane Chen, Practically Paradise blog, School Library Journal
"Dramatic in perspective, McWilliam's exaggerated, digitally colored art renders the monsters in a spectrum of neon hues
and outlandish shapes. The collaborators ably balance some bedtime chills with humor, and Ethan's enthusiasm for his
monster should prove infectious." PW
"...turns the tables on monster fears ...Noll's slyly humorous text is a suitably wry counterpoint to McWilliam’s dark-hued,
exaggerated paintings of the bobble-headed Ethan and his alternately scary and silly beasts. The entire effort strikes a nice
balance between creepy and comforting, but especially endearing is Gabe’s early return home as he huddles beneath the
bed like a faithful dog and says, “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to start the evening with an ominous puddle of drool.”
That’s friendship for you." Daniel Kraus, Booklist
"In this humorous, comically exaggerated reversal of the usual fear of monsters there is plenty of good-natured scary
stuff." Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz, Children's Literature
"Beautifully moody illustrations give this story its atmosphere of dark spookiness. The colours glow and these excellent
monsters are the most interesting range of characters imaginable." Scholastic Child Education Magazine, UK
"Fabulously illustrated, this is a wonderful book about change, loyalty, and friendship, all wrapped up in a
lovable, huggable monster! Oh, wait, did I say lovable and huggable? I meant SCARY!!!!" Antonia at Kepler's, Staff
Recommendation
With illustrations that are vivid, bold, and wholly appealing, and a story that ensnares you from the first page, I Need My
Monster is genuinely brilliant. Perfect for story time, this one flirts frightening moments, yet is jam packed with fun and
giggles. – changing hands bookstore kids team 5 stars on GoodReads.com
"Masterfully lit fish-eyed views, fur, fangs, claws and interesting perspectives make seven monsters just scary enough to
spotlight the spunk of the picky, pajamaed lad who screens them... a really fun spin on bedtime anxiety and being
afraid of being in your bed alone... and then being in control of that fear... Stunningly gorgeous...." Mark and Andrea,
Just One More Book.com podcast. Listen to the full podcast here: Just One More Book or read a transcript of Mark
and Andrea discussing I Need My Monster, by clicking here.
"...one of the best children’s books this reviewer has read recently....This is the perfect bed time story that your
child will want to read night after night." Jennifer LeBrun, Sacramento Book Review
I Need My Monster, along with Where the Wild Things Are, Leonardo the Terrible Monster, and When a Monster is
Born, are part of the Reflection theme of the first nine weeks of school, at TeacherThinkTank.com
"The drawings reminded me of Monster's Inc. with all the charming saliva-dripping fangs, rolling multiple eyeballs,
and colorful warts. ...I think [McWilliams] has a fiendishly promising career. ...A monstrously cute tale proclaiming...
that monster's can be our friends!" Women's Press
"Children will laugh at the boy's nighttime trials, but watch out, because if Gabe comes back, even fearless Ethan will get a
shiver or two." OC Family
"McWilliam’s delightful cartoony illustrations parade a menagerie of strange monsters while keeping them humorous and
non-threatening for the reader. Striking a nice balance between funny and creepy, this offering should please young
monster lovers." Bayviews
"This book is simply FABAWESOMAZING! (I couldn't pick just one word to describe its coolness so you got three in
one.) Madness by Mattie blog
" The Writing Room.com, Catherine A. Winn
"[the pictures] glow with life and color and perfectly express the dark night, full of imagination. And the story is perfect….
This is a new and exuberant riff on an old idea." Jean Little Library blog
A suggested summer read on the Book It! website. Book It! is a reading incentive program for schools sponsored by
Pizza Hut.
"The illustrations pair perfectly with this unusual tale of friendship. The young ones may scream as you read, but when you’
re done they will be asking for more." Florida Library Youth Program
"...a treat to read aloud.... A perfect pairing [of illustrations] with the text.... ideal for pajama story times because the
monsters are frightening but great fun. It reads aloud well and offers readers a great range of voices and sound effects."
Tasha Saecker, director of the Menasha, Wisconsin, Public Library
"What a super turnaround of a story! Every child will want their own monster!" —HealthyBooks.co.uk
"Overall, this is a super title with excellent illustrations and a fun read! I would highly recommend I Need My
Monster for libraries with large budgets!" Alisha Baber, Lane Education Service District
"Striking, illustrations of cinema-quality cartoon art add just the right touch to this bedtime book perfect for parents to
share with young people savvy enough to enjoy the irony of the premise!" Midwest Book Review, Children's Bookwatch
"I admit I picked up this book because of its adorable illustrations, but I assure you the story is just as cute.... I won't spoil
the ending, but it's sure to send your kiddos off to LaLa Land with a smile on their faces." Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt, Boy
Book Club, It's Good to Be the Queen.com
"A picture book for children ages 4-8 about an under-the-bed monster who takes off fishing for a week, forcing the bed's
occupant — a monster-loving boy — to turn to totally inadequate substitutes." The Seattle Times
"Many children are afraid of monsters, but not Ethan. Ethan needs his slobbery, scary beast, named Gabe, who has
suddenly disappeared. Join Ethan as monster after monster appears under his bed, and watch as he turns down each one,
claiming they’re too dopey, well-groomed or – and this one’s the worst – a girl. Children will laugh at the boy’s nighttime
trials, but watch out, because if Gabe comes back, even fearless Ethan will get a shiver or two." Inland Empire Family
"I Need My Monster is a very funny book your kids will love! The illustrations are breathtaking and the plot is both
lighthearted and meaningful." — Once Upon a Good Time.com
"...The last story I read was I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll. This was the only story I read that actually might be
considered scary. The illustrations, done by Howard McWilliam, are absolutely awesome. A young boy can't sleep
because his monster was on vacation. He interviews other monsters looking for long scary claws, creepy ooze, and a
spiked tail. When none of the other monsters come close, he worries that he won't ever get to sleep. Fortunately his
monster returns early from vacation and he is able to shiver himself to sleep." Storytime Book Nook.com
An interview with illustrator Howard McWilliam.
"The sly humor of Noll partnered with McWilliam's dark, digitally colored art, helps defuse nighttime concerns and replace
them with the realization that a child can overcome their fears." PBwithJ.com
Read full reviews here.
Available at your favorite
bookseller or through:
bookseller or through:
Try a Monster classroom (or family) Activity.
Make Your Own Monster by downloading this page of monster
parts. Color, cut, and paste. Then send us a scan of your monster to add
to the Monster Gallery.
Request a Free Book Plate, signed by Amanda Noll, to stick in the
front of your book.
See the author's amazing Monster Cakes and photos of Amanda
meeting young monster-lovers at her Appearances.
Make Your Own Monster by downloading this page of monster
parts. Color, cut, and paste. Then send us a scan of your monster to add
to the Monster Gallery.
Request a Free Book Plate, signed by Amanda Noll, to stick in the
front of your book.
See the author's amazing Monster Cakes and photos of Amanda
meeting young monster-lovers at her Appearances.
| picture books that explore and illuminate |
MONSTROUS THINGS TO DO: