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The Monster Who Did My Math
A mathphobic boy faces another dreaded evening of multiplication when a monster suddenly appears in his room and offers him a deal he cannot refuse. After a quick signature on a contract, the boy's problems are solved, and his homework is ready to turn in the next day. At first, everything adds up perfectly. But when the boy's math knowledge is tested at school, his troubles begin to multiply. What did the fine print on that contract read? In paragraph seven of clause ninety-three, ?If you don?t learn anything, do not blame me!? When the bill comes due, will our hero have the money?and the math skill?to subtract that wicked monster from his life once and for all?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2007
4 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Danny Schnitzlein
4 books16 followersAuthor, Danny Schnitzlein, has been crazy about monsters since he was four years old. Some say he never grew up. His book, The Monster Who Ate My Peas, won state awards in Indiana and Virginia and was adapted into a touring musical and a ballet. The Monster Who Did My Math, was named “A Book All Young Georgians Should Read” by the Georgia Center for the Book. Danny’s books have been featured in the Georgia Department of Education’s “Read More” initiative, the Atlanta Mayor’s Reading Club, and The Atlanta Falcons’ “Read With a Falcon” program. His gnu-est book, Gnu and Shrew, was named a Best STEM Book of 2021. Danny also writes scripts and songs for children’s educational television. He lives in Marietta, GA with his family and a dog with snuggly superpowers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 30, 2019
Oz picked this out. I say that because the story petrified him! He made me hide it (wanted me to put it in the trash but since it's a library book I couldn't). He wouldn't let me turn the lights off til after he fell asleep.
That said, for older kids this is a good story about fighting demons.
That said, for older kids this is a good story about fighting demons.
February 7, 2020
This is an entertaining and somewhat dramatic tale of a young boy who is willing to pay for a monster to do his math homework.
The rhyming narrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are appropriately gruesome where the monster(s) are concerned, while still being fairly realistic otherwise.
I thought the note about the illustrations was particularly humorous: "The illustrations were produced by dipping a tranquilized squid into small vats of liquefied, colored chalks and randomly applying him (or was it her?) to pencil sketches on carrot paper. Then hairbrushing (air brushed gouache, dyes, and digital). The worlds were produced in the usual way."
The rhyming narrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are appropriately gruesome where the monster(s) are concerned, while still being fairly realistic otherwise.
I thought the note about the illustrations was particularly humorous: "The illustrations were produced by dipping a tranquilized squid into small vats of liquefied, colored chalks and randomly applying him (or was it her?) to pencil sketches on carrot paper. Then hairbrushing (air brushed gouache, dyes, and digital). The worlds were produced in the usual way."
November 24, 2011
All this young boy wants is to finish his math without agonizing over it for hours. When his fears and dread finally get the best of him he breaks down and signs a contract he shouldn’t have. As the monster who came to his rescue continues to “help” he finally discovers his love for adding and subtracting, but will it be too late? Not reading the fine print can get you into quite a bit of trouble, but knowing how to add things up may get this little boy out of hot water.
First of all, look at that cover! The illustrations by Bill Mayer in this picture book are fantastic! Bright and colorful and they simply pop off the page. Secondly, the story…who hasn’t wanted a “magic fairy” (or in this little boy’s case, a monster) to come and magically take care of whatever homework you can’t finish in a short amount of time? I know I had those days as a kid, even as an adult I’ll put things off that I’m dreading. Unfortunately for this little boy he signs a deal with a monster who’s out to make a little bit of extra money in a very sneaky way. Not only does the story teach children about the fun that can be had with math, but it also teaches them the importance of choices they make. I’m not positive that my son at four years old completely grasps the concept yet, but he does love math as well as the book so I’ll keep sharing it with him in hopes he’ll catch on.
The Monster Who Did My Math by Danny Schnitzlein is not simply a story about the joy that can be found in addition and subtraction. This is a story that shows children the importance of our choices and those with whom we depend on. As children grow up it’s easy to make choices based on what “looks good” or “seems easier”, but it’s not always quite so clear and often it requires more thought. The Monster Who Did My Math is a story about a little boy getting in over his head and fortunately finding a way out through his careful addition. It’s a story that our family will be reading for years to come, not only because we love the illustrations and math but also because of the principles it teaches.
My original review was posted at There's A Book.
First of all, look at that cover! The illustrations by Bill Mayer in this picture book are fantastic! Bright and colorful and they simply pop off the page. Secondly, the story…who hasn’t wanted a “magic fairy” (or in this little boy’s case, a monster) to come and magically take care of whatever homework you can’t finish in a short amount of time? I know I had those days as a kid, even as an adult I’ll put things off that I’m dreading. Unfortunately for this little boy he signs a deal with a monster who’s out to make a little bit of extra money in a very sneaky way. Not only does the story teach children about the fun that can be had with math, but it also teaches them the importance of choices they make. I’m not positive that my son at four years old completely grasps the concept yet, but he does love math as well as the book so I’ll keep sharing it with him in hopes he’ll catch on.
The Monster Who Did My Math by Danny Schnitzlein is not simply a story about the joy that can be found in addition and subtraction. This is a story that shows children the importance of our choices and those with whom we depend on. As children grow up it’s easy to make choices based on what “looks good” or “seems easier”, but it’s not always quite so clear and often it requires more thought. The Monster Who Did My Math is a story about a little boy getting in over his head and fortunately finding a way out through his careful addition. It’s a story that our family will be reading for years to come, not only because we love the illustrations and math but also because of the principles it teaches.
My original review was posted at There's A Book.
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May 10, 2019This is a very clever, useful book. This is not a story about how to do math; it is a book about why math is important and how it fits in our daily life.
Parents and teachers alike will nod their head at the lessons the book offers..
Parents and teachers alike will nod their head at the lessons the book offers..
July 7, 2017
"You kids of today are pathetic and lazy. Your minds are all mooshy. Your morals are hazy."
A boy finds out that it may be easier to let the monster do his homework, but that doesn't help him much when he gets called on to work the problems in class.
A boy finds out that it may be easier to let the monster do his homework, but that doesn't help him much when he gets called on to work the problems in class.
July 28, 2017
Entertaining, strong rhyme scheme, and relevant to kids' anxiety around math. Good classroom read aloud.
October 19, 2017
Very fun read-aloud for 3rd-4th grades.
July 15, 2023
Story 3.5
Illustrations 3.5
Illustrations 3.5
December 6, 2019
Love the double moral meaning of the story, “At first, everything adds up correctly. …math is tested at school hi troubles begin to multiply.
March 3, 2013
Best for kids ages 6 and up
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Vocabulary, Phonological Awareness
From cover:
There once was a time I was frightened by numbers. They scared me at school and they haunted my slumbers. My brain had some kind of allergic reaction to multiplication ... addition ... subtraction.
What's the best solution to thin numerical dilemma? One boy adds a monster to the equation - a monster who does his math homework for him. After a quick signature on a contract, the boy's problems are solved, and his homework is ready to turn in the next day.
At first, everything adds up perfectly. But when the boy's math knowledge is tested at school, his troubles begin to multiply. What did the fine print on the contract read?
"In paragraph seven of clause ninety-three, 'If you don't learn anything, do not blame me!'"
When the bill comes due, will our hero have the money and the math skills to subtract that wicked monster from his life once and for all?
Fun, funny, energetic illustrations bring this math lesson to life.
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Vocabulary, Phonological Awareness
From cover:
There once was a time I was frightened by numbers. They scared me at school and they haunted my slumbers. My brain had some kind of allergic reaction to multiplication ... addition ... subtraction.
What's the best solution to thin numerical dilemma? One boy adds a monster to the equation - a monster who does his math homework for him. After a quick signature on a contract, the boy's problems are solved, and his homework is ready to turn in the next day.
At first, everything adds up perfectly. But when the boy's math knowledge is tested at school, his troubles begin to multiply. What did the fine print on the contract read?
"In paragraph seven of clause ninety-three, 'If you don't learn anything, do not blame me!'"
When the bill comes due, will our hero have the money and the math skills to subtract that wicked monster from his life once and for all?
Fun, funny, energetic illustrations bring this math lesson to life.
April 13, 2013
This story is about a young boy who does anything and everything to avoid doing math, even if it means to make a horrible deal with a monster. The monster does all of the boy's math homework and at first it seems perfect, but then the boy realizes that he isn't learning a single thing when it's his turn to do a math problem on the board in front of the class. The boy ends up having to pay the monster off and uses subtraction, one of his worst nightmares. Finally the boy gets rid of the monster and even learns a thing or two about math! "If you don't pay up front, you'll pay later instead," the boy remembers what the monster had told him. This story is great for getting students to see how much it matters to practice their math in order to learn. I would definitely read it to students to get them excited and get their motivation going.
February 7, 2017
This book was really cute!
Covered a lot of math words and some adding with decimals ~ too far above my son's math level but he still loved the story!
I liked the moral :)
I was hoping for more math as part of the story like 7+5
And then 12-6
My son is young
Covered a lot of math words and some adding with decimals ~ too far above my son's math level but he still loved the story!
I liked the moral :)
I was hoping for more math as part of the story like 7+5
And then 12-6
My son is young
June 6, 2011
This book is a good motivator for students who are struggling with math. It offers a good message about being patient with math and not giving up. I think that this could be used with any grade level but more importantly for students who are feeling that they can't be successful at math. I could see class discussion beginning with the reasons you shouldn't be discouraged about math and I could see using this book as an opportunity to begin that discussion.
January 21, 2012
One little boy hates math and calls on a monster to help do his homework. It all works out fine until the teacher asks him to do some work on the board. When he can't pull through, he goes home to scold the monster. The math monster takes all the boys money, and he is still short two fifty-two. So he scrounges around until he finds enough. He then starts his math homework and learns that it isn't so bad.
A great book for students who might be having trouble being comfortable with math.
A great book for students who might be having trouble being comfortable with math.
October 12, 2010
Grades 2-4. Picture Book. A boy gets nervous and upset every time he has to do math homework, but then a monster does his work for him and he starts getting good grades. The only problem? He hasn’t learned anything. A good book for kids with math phobias that need a little encouragement to soldier on. Also a lesson in how cheating doesn’t pay.
April 10, 2011
This book is not one of my favorite books to read with the students, but I can see why the boys would love to read this book. Since there's a monster that does all the homeword, they would always comment about how they would love to have their pet robot. It can be a good writing exercise for the students and the students are able to express their thoughts on a paper.
April 17, 2011
I really liked this book. It doesn't have anything to do with math specifically but it is about a boy who allows a monster to do his work and the later on he realizes how important it is for him to learn the work himself. Its good to use when discussing how important it is to learn math and doing homework.
March 11, 2010
A monster comes to do this student's math homework. The only problem is that when the student needs to do math at the board he is embarrased. The student finds that as he actually does his math homework it becomes easier. Great for math vocabulary
February 11, 2011
Other themes: not to cheat
I enjoyed reading this story because it had many rhyming words, math themes and the plot. The character made a contract with a monster, to do his homework. The boy learned that about the consequences of cheating.
I enjoyed reading this story because it had many rhyming words, math themes and the plot. The character made a contract with a monster, to do his homework. The boy learned that about the consequences of cheating.
April 20, 2011
cute book of a boy singing a contract so he does not have to do his homework. yet when he is tested on his math at school the next day he realizes he doesnt know anything!! good book for showing children they need to do their work so they can learn all the can!
July 18, 2012
This is a really funny book and uses math to discuss important lessons that are taught by a math monster. It also introduces basic math concepts like decimals, addition, and subtraction. I would use this book as a fun and engaging text to introduce these themes.
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April 20, 2013This a significant book to teach kids how to do math and how important math for life. It also teaches rhyming, counting, adding, and subtracting. It a good source to motive students who are struggling with math.
February 7, 2017
A cute, fun, book full of rhyme and rhythm. Great book for any math-a-phobic kids out there (or their parents).
My only caveat is that I don't care for the "What the heck." line, but it rhymed with speck so there you go.
My only caveat is that I don't care for the "What the heck." line, but it rhymed with speck so there you go.
July 3, 2008
Great illustrations! Maybe not the best bedtime book, but now we know...Monsters do math!
March 12, 2009
Nice rhyming story. Would be good for school age kids, but not storytime. Monster does his math homework, but the kid discovers he doesn't learn anything so he goes back to doing it himself.
February 26, 2010
a bit scary
March 8, 2010
This is a great book to teach consequences. Having someone else do your homework truly does cost you in the end - and more than just money.
April 12, 2011
-adding money and decimals
-dont be afraid of math. you will get it if you just try it.
-recommended for grads 2-4.
-dont be afraid of math. you will get it if you just try it.
-recommended for grads 2-4.
August 2, 2011
Absolutely hilarious! One of the few books that will unfailingly make both me and my son laugh out loud!
October 20, 2011
This book is a great way to motivate students about math. The book shows that math is everywhere! It takes the anxiety out of math.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews