[ The Monster Returns[ THE MONSTER RETURNS ] By McCarty, Peter ( Author )Jan-31-2012 Hardcover

Jeremy and the Monster

by Peter McCarty

Jeremy thought he'd seen the last of his monster when he sent him away with a one-way bus ticket. But suddenly there's a knock on the door . . . and the monster has returned! Jeremy tries to decide what to do. Is it possible that the monster is in need of a friend? Peter McCarty brings his popular monster back in style, with a sequel that will have kids drawing their own little monsters in no time.

Genres: Picture Books, Monsters, Friendship, Childrens, Art, Storytime, Fantasy

Hardcover

First published January 31, 2012

About the author

I was born in 1966 in Westport, Connecticut right in the middle of two older brothers and two younger sisters. We kept our mother busy while my father worked long hours at IBM. Most of my childhood was spent in my head. I was usually recreating a battle from World War II or running from dinosaurs in prehistoric times. To this day, I develop characters and environments based on worlds I first created when I was three. I am grateful to my mother who kept us surrounded with art. I come from a long line of artists and my grandmother, Grace Boyd, was the best. She died before I was born, but her fantastic paintings and drawings were all around us.

Since my father worked for IBM, we moved often. I think being on the move during my formative years has been the reason I tend to create books about returning home. By the time I graduated from high school we were living in Boulder, Colorado. At the University of Colorado, I began my long career as a professional student. I first thought I was going to be an engineer so I took all kinds of science and math classes. I enjoyed solving math problems, but I could not see myself working in a lab. Along the way, I continued to draw and create worlds as I always have. My friends and teachers were very supportive. Around the time when I should have been graduating, I decided to start over and go to art school at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. I finally graduated from college, in 1992.

One of my illustration teachers, William Low introduced me to Laura Godwin, a children’s book editor at Henry Holt and Company. She gave me my first professional art job to illustrate a little science book, Frozen Man written by David Getz. I worked really hard on that book. Laura was impressed; so I was offered to illustrate a picture book, Night Driving written by John Coy. Again I did the best illustrations I knew how, like my life depended on it. One drawing of a car going over a bridge made my girlfriend cry. She said, “Oh, you can draw.” We were then married in 1995.

Night Driving was first published in 1996 and received praise from critics and won some awards. Laura Godwin then offered me the best of all offers; I could write and illustrate whatever I wanted. Little Bunny on the Move came into my mind after months of searching for a story. Little Bunny on the Move was published in 1999 and won a Best Illustrated Book of the Year from the New York Times. That book established my career and gave me the confidence to continue to write and illustrate the stories from my mind.

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow I forgot to write a review when I finished this one. Only thirty days later and I can't remember the brief plot at all. Love the monster art though.

Library copy

[Bonnie Lambourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect followup to Jeremy Draws a Monster - especially for those who felt unsatisfied with the ending of that book. I did not, but this resolves that nagging part of the transition from having a monster control you to where Jeremy was end of the first book. Monster gone, but Jeremy just beginning in his friendships with other kids. So whether you understand the need to befriend your monsters, or work things out with your friends who get too bossy, or maybe not entirely dismiss your invisible friend... to me this is the stuff of self-love development. Jeremy went from anxious to standing up for himself, and now that the monster returns, he recognizes that we all have these internal monsters who tug at us to be more, to gain confidence, and so we can love them for helping us make the transition to confidence and self-love. Jeremy now has friends, and the monster deserves to be loved, too.
The ending is delightful! I can see birthday parties being spawned based on this idea alone.

[John Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Monster Returns is the sequel to Jeremy Draws a Monster. After being sent away in the first book, the monster goes back to Jeremy's house; knowing that the monster is bossy, Jeremy teams up with some kids from his neighborhood to draw monster friends. The illustrations and writing are high-quality, just as they are in the first book. It is nice to see in this book that Jeremy has friends now, and that he plays outside, because in the first book, the boy is lonely and stays inside drawing. First and second grade students would love this book, so I will definitely have it in my classroom. An activity to do with this book might be to have the students draw their own monsters and describe them using adjectives.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jeremy Draws a Monster and was excited that McCarty decided to write a sequel. Ah, yes, the Monster is back in this story. As many sequels do, it falls just short of impressing me as much as the first story. It's still a must-read if you loved Jeremy & the Monster in the first book.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A creative solution to solving the ongoing monster problem;-)

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable!

[Kaitlin Bisbee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeremy liked to draw alone in his room, one day his monster called to tell him that he was coming home. Jeremy invited some children playing outside to draw friends for his monster, That day both Jeremy and his monster had new friends! The moral of the story is to give others a chance, this can encourage children to make new friends. I did really enjoyed McCarty's books as a child. There was something about his illustration style and stories that just clicked with me. This book has a lot of negative space in the illustrations that somehow doesnt detract from the story, but instead enhances it. The story is great in addressing how it can be scary to put yourself out there and try to make new friends, but in the end it is totally worth it. This could be used in the classroom to discuss with students the importance of being kind and making friends with one another on the first day of school, especially for those who have first day jitters!

[Maxine Whigham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impractical Mom Life Blog,

The Monster Returns is a wonderful book that teaches children that monsters aren't real, and when we imagine things, they will just disappear. Its charming illustrations and text are convenient for parents to read to their children as they fall asleep.

Peter McCarty teaches us about how friendships are powerful. In this charming retelling of the beloved monster tale, The Monster Returns, author/illustrator Peter McCarty uses his unique painted-storybook style to add a fresh twist to the well-known story. This board book is sure to delight any child while they learn even more about the lovable monster and his new friends.

This fun novelty book is a must-have for any child's library; The Monster Returns is a delightfully goofy, silly, and engaging little picture book filled with silly rhymes and fun illustrations.

[Yessica Cancino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving the book, The monster returns, a 4. This story is about a little boy named Jeremy and he liked to draw alone in his room but one day his monster called to tell him that he was coming home. Jeremy invited some children playing outside to draw friends for his monster, that day both Jeremy and his monster had new friends! The illustrations in this book are simple but it also has some bright colors that can be welcoming for children, I enjoy the message behind the story. The moral of the story is to give others a chance, this can encourage children to make new friends. If I were to use this book in my class, it can encourage students to get out of their comfort bubble and talk to new people and make new friends. Sometimes children need a little push and this book is it.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miss 4 thought this was okay. She selected it herself. She might have enjoyed it more if we'd read the original book first.

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Mara Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about when Jeremy's monster writes him a note to let him know he is returning. Jeremy then decided to invite his friends over, who create monsters, and become friends with Jeremy's monster.

3 topic ideas:
Art
Imagination, fantasy
Directions
Friendship

[Meliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sequel, which I didn’t realize when I first borrowed it from the library. Luckily, it is cute and simply enough that it read fine as a stand alone! Idk how the monster behaved to be sent away the first time, but this time he seems pretty chill. He’s got a sweet top hat too.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jeremy's #monster returns, he does some quick thinking to save the day!

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeremy makes surprise monster friends with his new friends.

[Miss Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

You definitely need to read the first one. We had no idea what was going on.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The little boy in this story is busy drawing when a paper airplane flies in through his window. On the airplane is scribbled a note written by the monster he had drawn into life in the previous book. The little boy rushes around and calls the people below for help. He tells them his monster is coming back and that he needs them to all draw monsters. They each draw a different color and shaped monster. Each monster mirrors the artist in the colors that they are. When the little boy's first monster comes up the stairs and into the room, all of the people and monsters cry "Surprise!". The monster asks the boy if the monsters are friends for him. The little boy says, "Yes, friends for you and me". This illustrations in this book are very creative and spark my curiosity. The plot seems too simple and short, which is why I only rate it about a 3.25. I may have enjoyed it more if I had read the first book before the Monster Returns.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The books of this author/illustrator are growing on me, and I am starting to appreciate the way he sees the world. In this sequel to Jeremy Draws a Monster, the monster that the artistic Jeremy managed to banish with a one-way bus ticket has returned, and he wants to meet Jeremy. The quick-thinking boy invites his neighbors over, hands them fancy pens, and they go to work. By the time the monster arrives, the walls are filled with elaborate monsters of every color imaginable, giving him the choice of many new friends. Clever Jeremy handles the situation perfectly. The illustrations, created with pen and ink and watercolors, show that monsters come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no need to be afraid of them. Sometimes a monster may be just as lonely as a boy or girl in need of friends.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel to Jeremy Draws a Monster continues the story of Jeremy, who is continuing to draw up in his room alone. Then he got a note from his monster saying that he should draw a compass and a telescope and look out the window. When he looked through the telescope, he saw his monster! The monster immediately called on the phone and announced he was bored and headed over to Jeremy’s house. Jeremy had to think quickly. He invited all of the children playing outside up to his room, gave them each a fancy pen, and had them each draw their own monsters. When Jeremy’s monster arrived, he was met with a big SURPRISE!

Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

a sequel to Jeremy Draws a Monster. In the sequel, the monster send a paper airplane through the window to Jeremy telling him that he will be returning. Jeremy invites some friends up to his room to prepare for the monter's arrival. The story implies that JEremy does not want the monster to return, until the very end of the story when there is a surprise. The illustrations are very colorful against a stark whit background which allows the characters in the story to stand out. A great book for kindergarten and as a supplemental introduction to colors.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you think McCarty read my review of Jeremy Draws A Monster and took MY personal advice to write a sequel? :D
No matter whose advice he took, he took it well. Often sequels stink, but this one is if anything better than the first one. Might inspire a "draw your own monster" activity in many a reading!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these two books at story time for a kindergarten group. They're both wonderful books, more about imagination than scary monster-dom. As a transition, I asked them what they thought, "where did the monster go?" Pretty interesting responses - "Out-of-town" (that didn't count, it was in the book) Then the shoutouts happened... (first, tentatively) Mexico? then to name a few more... Honduras, China, Hollywood! These kids were so cool.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sequel to "Jeremy Draws a Monster" better than the original. Jeremy gets a call from his monster, the one he sent away in the first book, saying that he's bored and he's coming back home. So Jeremy calls up the kids on the street and gives them magic pens to draw their own monster with, so the monster has some friends to play with. Jeremy also gains some friends. Love the illustrations. Recommended for ages 1-7, 4 stars.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Monster Returns is totally adorable and redeems the first book! I love the idea of all the children drawing their own monsters in the second book - and just like the first, the second book’s illustrations are simple, yet powerful and gorgeous (not a shock that McCarty won New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year).

This duo of books is a must-read from the library - but, like I said - take them out as a pair!

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book about Jeremy who once drew a monster. The monster has been away but has called to say he is coming back! Jeremy invites his friends up and they all draw monsters of their own so that Jeremy's monster will have friends too.

I cute book about using your imagination and friendship.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was OK as a read aloud and the two kids who had read Jeremy Draws a Monster loved it. It would be fun to have kids draw their own monsters given enough time. It was interesting the class that choose this also choose Chalk a wordless book about drawings coming alive. Both kind of remind me of The Paper Crane for a younger audience.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictures are great and really add to the story about a boy and a monster. I missed reading the first one and felt that there might have been an earlier story since the monster is returning. My daughter was a little nervous about the story at first, but the monsters aren't scary and she enjoyed the story. I love how the character likes to draw and asks his friends to join him.

[현순 최 · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Jeremy drews some picture, he received a weird note which look at your window drawing a compass and a telescope. He did what the note said. when he look at the window, he finds a monster to come back Jeremy's house. Jeremy called his friends. They start to drew monster pictures. A few later, Jeremy's monster had returned. They all welcome to him. Children can learn about colours.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sequel to "Jeremy Draws a Monster." In that book, Jeremy (as the title implies) drew a monster and then had to figure out how to get rid of it once it came to life. In this continuance of the story, the monster comes back, so Jeremy enlists the help of his friends to draw friend-monsters for the returning monster.

Excellent illustrations.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read the first MONSTER book, but I think young readers would love the simplicity of the story, the minor menace of the monster returning, the wonderful expressions on the various monsters’ faces, and the validation of how art transforms and gives power.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeremy enlists his friends' help to draw colorful monsters, who become friends with the big blue monster. A story about problem solving, friendship, and creativity. Illustrations pop against white background. Fun.