Frankenstein Doesn't Wear Earmuffs! by John Loren #Halloween Countdown 2021 #monsters #review

I have read a few Frankenstein books of various kinds. This happens to be one of the cutes.

It starts out as the "monster" is getting ready to leave on a Halloween night of scariness, candy, and mayhem. Soon, the reader finds out that the "monster" is a cute kid with the best Frankenstein costume ever!

Unfortunately, just he begins to step out, Dad stops him and says it is rainy and he needs his golashes. So, he reluctantly put them on and the story begins again but...STOP...this scenario repeats until he has finally had it and gives out a ROAR while throwing stuff off. The whole build up is hilarious!

What happens next comes to a conclusion as he meets and greets other "monsters".

I loved this book! To make it more fun the illustrator made all of the characters larger than life with dark tones and a spooky vibe but not enough to scare young children. The book made me laugh at each turn of the page.

Highly recommend. 5 stars.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle

Day 19: In the Footsteps of Frankenstein by Steve Parker #Halloween #middlegrade #monsters #CryptKeeper

My review:

When I first picked up this book, I thought it might be just a retelling of the classic book from Mary Shelley. In fact, it is and isn't.

The author of this particular book broke apart the story into 37 pages by first posting about Mary Shelley and how the story got told. *spoiler* It was a "ghost" story she told to friends on a boring night and eventually wrote.

Mary Shelley

The book then goes on to tell the story on one side of the pages and compares it to what was happening at the time (and now) and to subsequent movies in later years. The compare and contrast is awesome!

I love on pages 16-17 where the author details how the monster looked. *spoiler* Did you know that Mary Shelley barely described the monster? Most details are from movies.

I cannot say enough about this book and glad I own it. I would recommend this for 8+
The book gets 5 pumpkins from me.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.

~Your CryptKeeper,
Michelle

Don't Push the Button by Bill Cotter #PutMeInTheStory

Summary:

There's only one rule in Larry's book: don't push the button.

(Seriously, don't even think about it!)

Even if it does look kind of nice, you must never push the button. Who knows what would happen?

Okay, quick. No one is looking... push the button.

Uh, oh.

My review:

I have been absolutely enthralled with this book since I received it. My copy included personalization of names and photos. I decided to make this one for my grandson. His name and photos are throughout the book which made it completely fun to read. I was even able to leave a dedication.

The book itself is about a purple monster named Larry who is the keeper of the button. He tells you not to push it but then changes his mind. All sorts of things happen as the button continues to get pushed. Oh, boy!

This is a fun, interactive book that I know any kid would love to read over and over. It is great especially for an emerging reader.

The pictures are line draw with colored pencil. Although simple, they do add to the book and the overall appeal.

This is a 5 star winner!

Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Amazon
Goodreads

#Review: Will Allen and the Great Monster Detective by Jason Edwards #kidsbooks, #monsters, #DetectiveStories

Summary:
Will Allen may be one of the smallest boys at Ashford Middle School, but he is also one of the smartest. But cleverness alone isn't enough to help him when monsters infest his room! 
Together with his friend Jeannine Fitsimmons, Will searches fruitlessly for help, until a strange business card appears, instructing them how to summon Bigelow Hawkins, the Great Monster Detective. With Bigelow's help, along with the use of his very special monster-fighting instruments, the RevealeR and the MonsterScope, Will must learn how to conquer his monsters and reveal the secret of the dreaded HIDDEN BEAST before it's too late.

My review:
This book is an award winning book and I can see why. I know a few kids who like detective/mystery kinds of stories and this book delivers. 

All kids at some point have some kind of fear. One of the biggest fears ever is just knowing that there is a monster hiding under the bed. The main character Allen is convinced of this and needs help.
Mysteriously, a small looking character arrives to help out. But who is he  and what does he want for payment? Ah, now that is what you, my readers, have to discover for yourself.

Kid's normal fears, like huge, ugly monsters, or maybe a bully, are all in this book. However, the author cleverly shows children that they can be brave and help themselves to conquer their fears. In fact, throughout  this entire book the author is a master at this fete.

Eventually, the fears go away and children can see, as Allen does, that they too can help others.

I loved this book! It is the beginning of an entire series based on Will and it is sure to please series that I hope to read more of.
5 stars!

Disclosure: I purchased a Kindle copy of this book. The review here is 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon


Where to find the author:

Mom's Choice Award winning author, Jason Edwards is a man of many hats, including storyteller, developer and performer of children's programs, father, coach, and athlete.   Mr. Edwards is also an authority on children's anxieties, possessing a B.S. in Psychology, a M.A. in Education, and more than 20 years of experience helping children.  In fact, he wrote his first chapter book for young readers, Will Allen and the Great Monster Detective, which is a frightfully funny mix of Ghostbusters and Monsters Inc., in order to help children overcome phobias by inspiring them to confront their fears and metaphorically modeling steps they can take to control anxiety.
  
Amazon

Goodreads

#Review: My Babysitter Is A Monster by A.J. Cosmo #Kidsbooks, #monsters

Summary:
Sean's babysitter insists that he stay in his room, but there's a monster under his bed! What can Sean do? 

My Review:
As a kid I had a babysitter that I absolutely could not stand. I hated when my Mom would have her babysit. Was she a real monster? No, but my brothers and I kind of saw her that way. She made us do this and that and we simply didn't like it.

Here in essence is what the author brings to the table, an awful babysitter who does not believe in her charge until one fateful evening. Then all of a sudden in a twist of plot the babysitter whom he hated is now one he loves and looks very much like a...

Well, you figure it out when you read the book.  It is an enjoyable and fun read for kids of all ages.

Terrific book and I give it 4 stars.

Disclosure: I bought a Kindle copy of this book for my own collection. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

  Amazon
Goodreads

#Review : "The Monster That Ate My Socks" by A.J. Cosmo and #Giveaway for chance of 1 of 2 #Kindles #kidsbooks #childrenfiction # bookreview #monsters

Summary:
A young boy, who is about to be grounded for going through so many socks, discovers that a monster has been eating them.

Max is a young boy who is constantly getting in trouble for his socks disappearing. He doesn't know where they go, but he does know that if he doesn't do something quickly his mom will ground him for summer. Max soon discovers that a little green monster is sneaking into his room at night and eating his sweaty socks. His mother, of course, doesn't believe him, so Max calls on his best friend to come for a sleepover to catch the monster.
They devise a trap and capture the monster only to learn that the creature can speak. It hasn't meant to cause any harm, it's just trying to feed its family. The monster shows them his home and his three little children and begs the boys not to turn them over to the adults. Adults, he says, want to destroy monsters. 

The boys are left in a pickle. Allow the monsters to be and get grounded, or turn the monsters in knowing what will happen to them? Neither idea seems good, so they come up with a new plan!

My review:
As I first started reading this, I thought it was too bad that the main character's mom did not believe him.  I understand that the idea of monsters is imagination for the most part but kids need to be believed. At very least, work through imaginary friends or in this case, problems that are occurring.

The only negative other than what I said above, is the monster's change in eating habits from the socks. It was understandable via the story but it might give children the idea that if they don't do well in school or having problems in school that they can just hide the evidence. I could see where this might be a talking point for parents with their children.

Having said that though, this book is a lesson in three-fold. The first is taking care of your things, as things can be expensive to buy to constantly have to replace them. The second is, taking care of others. The third is finding self solutions to a problem that one might have. All of these ideals were cleverly written so young children could perfectly understand them.

There were very few pictures in this book and that is also understandable as this book is meant to be an early reader. In fact, there is a guide for teachers/homeschool parents to use with this book.

Overall, this is a likable book and I can give it 4 stars.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours.
The giveaway below is being conducted by the author and ireadbooks. I am not responsible for prize distribution. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Connect with A.J.:  Website  ~  Facebook  ~  Amazon

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway