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Spike, the Mixed-up Monster
Meet Spike, a lovable monster—and a real-life salamander—who’s looking for friends in this lively picture book that includes Spanish vocabulary.
Spike is a scary-looking salamander who keeps trying to frighten other animals—until he finds that using fear is not the best way to make friends. And since Spike lives in Mexico (he is an endangered species called the axolotl), this story is peppered with easy-to-understand Spanish words. In addition to a charming tale of friendship, this picture book contains nonfiction information about the axolotl and a Spanish/English glossary.
Spike is a scary-looking salamander who keeps trying to frighten other animals—until he finds that using fear is not the best way to make friends. And since Spike lives in Mexico (he is an endangered species called the axolotl), this story is peppered with easy-to-understand Spanish words. In addition to a charming tale of friendship, this picture book contains nonfiction information about the axolotl and a Spanish/English glossary.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2012
2 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Susan Hood
243 books139 followersSusan Hood is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Ada's Violin; Lifeboat 12; The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics; Shaking Things Up; Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team; and We Are One: How the World Adds Up.
Susan is the recipient of an E. B. White Read-Aloud Picture Book Honor, the Christopher Award, the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, the Golden Kite Award, and the Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, given annually for “a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people.”
COMING IN MARCH, 2022!
Susan's newest book is Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis. Co-authored with Anna's (a.k.a. Zhanna's) son Greg Dawson, this biography in verse celebrates the life-saving power of the arts.
Susan is the recipient of an E. B. White Read-Aloud Picture Book Honor, the Christopher Award, the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, the Golden Kite Award, and the Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, given annually for “a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people.”
COMING IN MARCH, 2022!
Susan's newest book is Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis. Co-authored with Anna's (a.k.a. Zhanna's) son Greg Dawson, this biography in verse celebrates the life-saving power of the arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
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July 15, 2012I have chosen not to rate this one. If I was rating the illustrations only I would give them a 4 or a 5. I love Melissa Sweet's artwork and this one is a lot of fun. However, I still cannot figure out why the author decided to add in Spanish words for the animal names or a few other phrases. As someone who has worked with immersion programs I am really opposed to Spanglish in books especially when there does not seem to be any real purpose. What would have rated as a 4 star book for me if it was all in English was eliminated off my list of book recommendations because of the Spanglish. I would love a print of Sweet's work from this if I could get it without any text. The end notes with information about each animal mentioned in the story was good too. Really - my biggest issue is the Spanglish.
December 6, 2012
Someone commented that the insertion of Spanish here is reminiscent of Skippy Jon Jones and may explain why I didn't like this, since my cats and I all loathe Skippy.
(Don't think my daughters read those, thank heavens)
More to the point,the use of Spanish is not consistent. After pages of English text, all of a sudden Spanish is inserted. Then a few more pages with no Spanish and then a whole lot of Spanish.
Choppy and confusing. The art is great and the story might have been fine without the Spanish, but it's too distracting to judge it properly.
(Don't think my daughters read those, thank heavens)
More to the point,the use of Spanish is not consistent. After pages of English text, all of a sudden Spanish is inserted. Then a few more pages with no Spanish and then a whole lot of Spanish.
Choppy and confusing. The art is great and the story might have been fine without the Spanish, but it's too distracting to judge it properly.
July 3, 2013
Spike is too dang cute. The rest of the animals ooh and ah at his adorable smile while Spike is busy putting on his fiercest monster impression. Then one day a real monster shows up and everyone else scatters.
This book sneaks up on you. My first read through was almost ho-hum until the last couple pages where I learned Spike and the rest of the characters are real life animals. Instantly my son was hooked. Each subsequent read turned more dramatic and the few Spanish words pronounced with ridiculous flair. The illustrations also sneak up on you. If your little one is into animals or monsters, take a chance on this book. We love it!
This book sneaks up on you. My first read through was almost ho-hum until the last couple pages where I learned Spike and the rest of the characters are real life animals. Instantly my son was hooked. Each subsequent read turned more dramatic and the few Spanish words pronounced with ridiculous flair. The illustrations also sneak up on you. If your little one is into animals or monsters, take a chance on this book. We love it!
October 10, 2012
A cute read aloud. The art is Sweet's usual bright and appealing illustrations. The addition of the nonfiction information about the real Mexican animals that are the characters, elevate this book's appeal. Kids will love to see what a "real" Spike looks like.
October 10, 2012
A fun mix of science, Spanish language and story.
January 7, 2024
“I liked it! I’d read it again. I liked the monsters.”
August 3, 2012
The text is a la Skippy-Jon Jones, this time with an axolotl (Mexican salamander) and a gila monster. It's structured similarly, without the unfettered imagination and more of a fear and friendship story. I see what the author is doing, but would refer readers to the review by my cyber-friend Alyson(Kit Lit Frenzy) for reservations.
I also agree with the high-rating for Melissa Sweet illustrations. Melissa, please come paint a mural on the wall of my nursury!
The back matter is great for schools and libraries, and this may find a place alongside Skippy, but it's no replacement.
I also agree with the high-rating for Melissa Sweet illustrations. Melissa, please come paint a mural on the wall of my nursury!
The back matter is great for schools and libraries, and this may find a place alongside Skippy, but it's no replacement.
July 3, 2012
Fun story using a combination of English and Spanish and based of real animals.
August 28, 2012
I understand why the author chose to use Spanish words in the book, as Spike, the "monster", is actually a salamander-like creature who's found in Mexico, but they seemed out of place somehow.
September 21, 2012
Axolotl!!! It doesn't get much cuter than this.
October 15, 2012
Spike the Mixed Up Monster was a wonderful book. It is a little bilingual with some words written in Spanish and all the characters names are Spanish. This book shows
February 9, 2013
Axolotl! How many kids' books can you find about axolotls?
August 25, 2022
As I'm ramping up for my first bilingual storytime, I've been looking for good titles to add to the list. Although it's often on "bilingual" lists, this isn't a bilingual story by any stretch of the imagination. A few Spanish words are thrown in here and there. Still, this is a cute story about a little wannabe "monster" (an axolotl) who befriends a real monster.
April 26, 2019
A cute, little sea creature, wanting to be scary, stands up to an unknown monster, who turns out to be a friend.
The creatures in this picture book all originate from Mexico, so the book has a few Mexican phrases embedded in the language of the characters. I think it could help Spanish-speaking children to better adapt to English classrooms. It also includes a glossary to define all the foreign phrases and a guide to the breeds of animals mentioned.
I really liked the Mexican component to the story. I also enjoyed learning more about a creature that I had previously not believed existed.
The creatures in this picture book all originate from Mexico, so the book has a few Mexican phrases embedded in the language of the characters. I think it could help Spanish-speaking children to better adapt to English classrooms. It also includes a glossary to define all the foreign phrases and a guide to the breeds of animals mentioned.
I really liked the Mexican component to the story. I also enjoyed learning more about a creature that I had previously not believed existed.
November 3, 2016
Summary: Spike is a “cute”-looking salamander who is teased by other animals in the pond for looking cute rather than a scary salamander. Spike tries so hard to be scary by swooshing his tail, shaking his spikes and baring his teeth but no one seems to think he is scary. One day a Gila (poisonous lizard) strolls through the pond and scares everyone away except for little Spike. Spike attempt to roar and intimidate the Gila but fails. Spike asks if he scared him and he replies, “No one has ever smiled at me before.” Spike helps the Gila find a party he is looking for and the Gila disappears into the grass. All the animals come out from hiding and cheer after Spike guides the dangerous Gila away from everyone claiming that he “saved us from the monster!” Spike realizes that all he did was smile and the book ends.
Theme: One theme from this book is that using fear or trying to be scary isn’t always a good thing to do if you want to make friends. Spike’s cute smile allowed the Gila to approach him and become friends with Spike even though everyone in the pond was afraid of the Gila.
Response: I enjoyed reading this book. The illustrations were very colorful and fun to look at. There was some rhyming throughout the story which made the story flow well from start to finish. I liked the use of Spanish words as well, it gave the story a playful mood for example one line read “I was headed to my cousins fiesta but I took a siesta.”
Recommendation: I would highly recommend this book for children to read. I think the message of smiling and not having to be scary or mean towards people will help you make friends. This could also be used to teach kids that no matter what you look like, everyone is capable of making friends. I also think the use of Spanish in the book could be used to help children learn Spanish or become more cultured about the Spanish language.
Theme: One theme from this book is that using fear or trying to be scary isn’t always a good thing to do if you want to make friends. Spike’s cute smile allowed the Gila to approach him and become friends with Spike even though everyone in the pond was afraid of the Gila.
Response: I enjoyed reading this book. The illustrations were very colorful and fun to look at. There was some rhyming throughout the story which made the story flow well from start to finish. I liked the use of Spanish words as well, it gave the story a playful mood for example one line read “I was headed to my cousins fiesta but I took a siesta.”
Recommendation: I would highly recommend this book for children to read. I think the message of smiling and not having to be scary or mean towards people will help you make friends. This could also be used to teach kids that no matter what you look like, everyone is capable of making friends. I also think the use of Spanish in the book could be used to help children learn Spanish or become more cultured about the Spanish language.
February 14, 2019
A silly book about Spike, an axolotl, who wants to be a big scary monster but instead is just super cute. The illustrations are emotive and and the text is snappy and at an appropriate level for the picture book crowd.
Some Goodreads reviewers have complained about the Spanglish, which they feel is jarringly added partway through the book or is unnecessary to the story. However, the first thing Spike says is, "Sí, I'm a monster alright!" (that's on page 2, which is really still page 1 since it's the second half of a 2-page illustration spread). And all the animals in the book live in México (even if el monstruo the lost gila is very far away from the region of his natural habitat), so it's certainly not inappropriate or a stretch. But why should Spanglish (or Spanish) have to be justified in a kids' book, anyway?
I picked this book up because the front cover has an adorable axolotl on the cover (how many picture books are about axolotls?) and was tickled to find that there were some Spanish words mixed in here. The words are few and far between and have enough context that kids will be able figure out who "el pato" is. And if there is any confusion, there is a great 3-page "More About Spike and His Amigos" section at the end of the book that has photos and fun facts about the real animals behind the story and a "Spanish Words" page that has translations.
If anything, it might be nice to have a pronunciation guide in this book too, since American English readers might not be sure how to say some of the Spanish words out loud to their picture book audience... and might not know that "armadillo" is spelled the same in Spanish and English but is pronounced differently!
Some Goodreads reviewers have complained about the Spanglish, which they feel is jarringly added partway through the book or is unnecessary to the story. However, the first thing Spike says is, "Sí, I'm a monster alright!" (that's on page 2, which is really still page 1 since it's the second half of a 2-page illustration spread). And all the animals in the book live in México (even if el monstruo the lost gila is very far away from the region of his natural habitat), so it's certainly not inappropriate or a stretch. But why should Spanglish (or Spanish) have to be justified in a kids' book, anyway?
I picked this book up because the front cover has an adorable axolotl on the cover (how many picture books are about axolotls?) and was tickled to find that there were some Spanish words mixed in here. The words are few and far between and have enough context that kids will be able figure out who "el pato" is. And if there is any confusion, there is a great 3-page "More About Spike and His Amigos" section at the end of the book that has photos and fun facts about the real animals behind the story and a "Spanish Words" page that has translations.
If anything, it might be nice to have a pronunciation guide in this book too, since American English readers might not be sure how to say some of the Spanish words out loud to their picture book audience... and might not know that "armadillo" is spelled the same in Spanish and English but is pronounced differently!
May 10, 2015
Spike the salamander believes he is a monster and practices at being one. The only problem is that he is small, only the size of a lily pad. So everyone just thinks he is cute. One day a real monster, a Gila Monster, comes to the pond and all the other animals are scared and run away. Spike holds his ground and tries to scare the new monster, but only succeeds at making him laugh. The monster asks Spike for directions to his family's party as he has gotten lost, and Spike tells him the way. When the other creatures return, they are amazed that Spike has survived. Spike is actually an axolotl from Mexico and so the story is peppered with Spanish and you can't help but adopt a bit of an accent while reading it. The back of the book features nonfiction information on the axolotl, cinnamon teal duck, armadillo and vole featured in the story. My son and I really enjoyed this book. Recommended for ages 4-8, 4 stars.
June 17, 2017
I've gotten a bunch of Monster-themed books out for my preschool lately, and this seems to be a common theme - the monster who's not scary learning to accept themself. I thought this one was pretty well done, with an interesting twist, too. The illustrations were nice, and I particularly love the pages at the back of the book that tell more about the different animals, including information on axolotls' and gila monsters' endangered statuses.
For some reason, the way the code switching was done rubbed me the wrong way. Like, instead of
"Aww, my funny little fish face," quacked el pato,
I would just write "quacked Pato" or even "quacked the pato" if my publisher insisted on italics. Given that it wasn't really a bilingual book, just an English book with a few Spanish words, having the definite articles in Spanish, along with the italics, felt really other-ing to me. Maybe I'm just weird though, I don't know.
For some reason, the way the code switching was done rubbed me the wrong way. Like, instead of
"Aww, my funny little fish face," quacked el pato,
I would just write "quacked Pato" or even "quacked the pato" if my publisher insisted on italics. Given that it wasn't really a bilingual book, just an English book with a few Spanish words, having the definite articles in Spanish, along with the italics, felt really other-ing to me. Maybe I'm just weird though, I don't know.
December 23, 2018
Spike wants to be scary ... with his spiky crown, slithery tail and stumpy teeth. But he scares no one. They all think he’s cute. It’s very demoralizing for Spike and he “sank beneath the water, settling into the scum at the bottom of the lake.” Then a real monster shows up and everyone runs ... except Spike. Spikes tries his monster moves to try to scare the monster off, but the Gila monster just stares. It seems he is on his way to a fiesta, but he’s lost and everyone is too scared to give him directions. Spike is happy to help, which impresses the others.
The author’s note in the back goes into detail about each of the animals in the story. Spike is actually an axolotl. El campanol is a Mexican vole. El monstruo is a Gila monster. El path is a cinnamon teal duck and El armadillo is a nine-banded armadillo. There is also a glossary in the back for all the Spanish words used.
The author’s note in the back goes into detail about each of the animals in the story. Spike is actually an axolotl. El campanol is a Mexican vole. El monstruo is a Gila monster. El path is a cinnamon teal duck and El armadillo is a nine-banded armadillo. There is also a glossary in the back for all the Spanish words used.
January 26, 2013
Spike, an axolotl, does his best to show how frightening he is to the other animals. But because he is a small salamander, they simply regard him as cute. When a Gila monster frightens the other animals, Spike's smile and willingness to provide directions to the large, poisonous lizard surprises him. I liked the message about how to make friends by helping others rather than intimidating them as well as the gentle reminder about not making assumptions about others. There are several thumbnail sketches in the back of the book that tell more about these interesting animals found in Mexico. This is a nice combination of narrative with nonfiction back matter. The illustrations, created in gouache, collage, and mixed media, allow these interesting creatures' personalities to shine through on the book's pages.
February 5, 2013
Spike looks pretty scary with his horns, tail and teeth! Trouble is, he's less than a foot long, so nobody is scared of him. In fact, all the other animals living around the pound think he's pretty darned cute.
However, when a real monster shows up and makes everyone scatter, it turns out that only Spike knows what to do.
This story is told in English, with a few Spanish words (something like the Skippy Jon Jones books). At the end of the book are several pages of color photos, along with descriptive information, about all the animals who appear in the story. A glossary of the Spanish words in the book wraps it all up.
A fun story with lots of good information included!
However, when a real monster shows up and makes everyone scatter, it turns out that only Spike knows what to do.
This story is told in English, with a few Spanish words (something like the Skippy Jon Jones books). At the end of the book are several pages of color photos, along with descriptive information, about all the animals who appear in the story. A glossary of the Spanish words in the book wraps it all up.
A fun story with lots of good information included!
November 10, 2014
Spike, an axolotl salamander, imagines himself to be a scary monster. Unfortunately, none of the other animals are afraid of him. They think he is cute. But one day, a real monster shows up -- a Gila monster. Everyone runs away, except for Spike. After Spike tries his hardest to scare him away, he learns that the misunderstood monster is simply lost on the way to his cousin's fiesta. Spike points out the way and earns the Gila monster's friendship as well as the admiration of the other animals nearby. A fun book about not judging others by their appearances. Includes an afterward with more information about each of the featured animals. Recommended for grades K-2.
January 2, 2013
Spike is an axolotl salamander who longs to be taken seriously as a monster. But el pato (the duck), el campano (Mexican vole), and el armadillo (armadillo, of course), think he's too small to be frightening. But when the scary el monstruo, or gila monster appears, it's up to Spike to save the day. This cute story introduces readers to several Mexican animals (helpful facts can be found at the end of the book, for you teachers looking for Common Core connections) as well as a few Spanish words. Mostly, though kids will enjoy the story and expressive watercolor illustrations.
August 11, 2013
Ages 3 and up
Spike thinks of himself as a very fearsome monster, but he is little so no one is scared of him. One day a big Gila Monster comes to the pond and all of the other animals are scared of him. Spike does his best to scare the Gila Monster, but he doesn't so he just smiles at him. It turns out the Gila Monster is just lost and needs directions. Spike helps him on his way. After he leaves all of the other animals come back and are impressed because they believe that Spike scared the Gila Monster away.
Spike thinks of himself as a very fearsome monster, but he is little so no one is scared of him. One day a big Gila Monster comes to the pond and all of the other animals are scared of him. Spike does his best to scare the Gila Monster, but he doesn't so he just smiles at him. It turns out the Gila Monster is just lost and needs directions. Spike helps him on his way. After he leaves all of the other animals come back and are impressed because they believe that Spike scared the Gila Monster away.
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December 10, 2013This is a great book to read aloud with young learners once they have learned about reptiles. This picture book tells a tale of an endangered species of salamander called an axolotl. This is a good story of friendship and they right way to make friends. This story also is good for ESL students because it incorporates some easy to learn spanish words, since the story takes place in mexico. This will help the students learn what an endangered species is and also what animals look like around the world.
July 18, 2014
Spike loves to bare his sharp teeth, shake his spike spines and swoosh his tail. Problem is he's only as big as a lily pad. The other animals laugh at him and say he's awful cute. Spike doesn't want to be cute. He wants to be fierce!
When a Gila Monster comes traipsing through the other animals disappear quickly. Spike sticks around to try to scare off the monster. But when the Gila Monster smiles at Spike, he finds himself disappointed. But the Monster is grateful someone has smiled at him. He then proceeds to ask for directions and calls Spike a friend.
When a Gila Monster comes traipsing through the other animals disappear quickly. Spike sticks around to try to scare off the monster. But when the Gila Monster smiles at Spike, he finds himself disappointed. But the Monster is grateful someone has smiled at him. He then proceeds to ask for directions and calls Spike a friend.
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November 13, 2014This book is great. It has Spanish words in the book which is great for kids when they beginning to learn Spanish. Also, I love that the end of the book are pictures of the animals in real life and gives much more information about Spike and his Amigos.
We can talk about where Spike lives in a lake in Mexico, and where we live in relation to Spike. We can talk about why some of the animals reacted the way they did to Spike's trying to be a monster.
Hood, S., & Sweet, M. (2012). Spike: The mixed-up monster. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
We can talk about where Spike lives in a lake in Mexico, and where we live in relation to Spike. We can talk about why some of the animals reacted the way they did to Spike's trying to be a monster.
Hood, S., & Sweet, M. (2012). Spike: The mixed-up monster. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
March 9, 2016
I've been searching long for a children's book that tells it like it is from the axolotl's point of view and here it is!
All kidding aside, this is a really fun story about a "monster" (Spike the axoltol) not making it in the monster category by not being at all scary. But then a true monster (of the Gila variety) comes along and Spike is the only one who manages to face him.
Liked the sprinkling of Spanish throughout.
Great illustrations.
All kidding aside, this is a really fun story about a "monster" (Spike the axoltol) not making it in the monster category by not being at all scary. But then a true monster (of the Gila variety) comes along and Spike is the only one who manages to face him.
Liked the sprinkling of Spanish throughout.
Great illustrations.
January 20, 2014
The illustrations were adorable and I love the idea of a cute little monster that tries to be scary but isn't really convincing anyone. Unfortunately the combination of English and Spanish was inconsistent and awkward. The story itself had potential but ended up seeming rather forced.
July 31, 2017
Spike wants to be a really mean monster but his size is preventing him. Can he be mean or can he find another way. Spanish words mixed in throughout and a nice nonfiction companion at the end. preschool and up for concept and language.
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