When a Monster Is Born

by Sean Taylor, Nick Sharratt (Illustrator)

When a monster is born, there are two possibilities... each episode in this comical story presents a choice between absurd alternatives ("Either it sits quietly and does its homework . . . or it eats the Principal"), followed by an equally absurd--and frequently unexpected-- outcome ("If it sites quietly, that's that. But if it eats the Principal, there are two possibilities..."). A subversive and satisfying take on "What if . . . ?" illustrated in bright pick-me-up colors, When a Monster is Born will have readers imagining unlikely stories of their own--and laughing out loud.

Genres: Picture Books, Monsters, Childrens, Fiction, Halloween, Humor, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2006

About the author

Sean Taylor started writing poetry as a teenager. In 1993, he came across a newspaper article which reported that a goat slaughtered in Iran had been found to have teeth made of gold. He tried writing a story for children. It was called 'The Goat with the Golden Teeth' and it won second prize in a competition run by the British newspaper 'The Independent' and Scholastic Children's Books. Since then, Sean has focussed on writing for children and has published over forty books for young readers of different ages. As well as writing, he has many years’ experience visiting schools, where he works with poetry and storytelling to encourage young people to write themselves. He lives partly in England (where he was born) and partly in Brazil( where his wife is from.)

Reviews

[Sarah A · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quite fun monster book helping kids to learn the difference between right and wrong whilst also losing their fear of monsters.

[Sarah W · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel weird reading books to my non-monster fearing almost two-year-old where people get eaten by monsters but she seemed to like it and asked me to read it twice. This book is in the style of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" but instead presents two options, one that continues the story and one that ends it. Really there's no logic to most of it and I feel like they could have done more with the branching options than just to say "that's that" for one of them. My main complaint is that it's kind of sexist at the end.

[Courtney Barter · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a Monster Is Born by Sean Taylor was a book I had never even heard of. I decided to read it because it was bright and interesting looking. It turned out that I LOVE the book. I was laughing out loud while reading it. I loved the comparing and contrasting of situations. What a wonderful children's book! Fantasy.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a major hit, due mostly to its hilarious format. We're big on monsters.

[Baranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, keeps you guessing. The young women I work with are turning it into a play.

[Ana LibrariAna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books to read around Halloween time. Great read-aloud with funny and colourful illustrations. Perfect for Kindergarten- Grade 2, although it would be fun for any age group.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read this book there are two possibilities, either you laugh and laugh or you read the book over and over again. If you laugh and laugh then that is that, but if you read the book over and over again, chances are, you will fall in love with this monster. My son enjoyed the repetition of this book because it was easier for him to read some of the big words and realize the pattern of the story. He also enjoyed finding out what would happen next in the story. It is a cute book about what would happen or not happen and it all starts with what kind of monster is born.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a monster is born, there are two possibilities...

A cute monster story that can one of two ways. If it goes one way, well, that is that. If it goes the other way, the story continues. Silly and fun.

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I liked it. A lot."

[Jennisen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story of choices and consequences! What a fun book to read and giggle with my son about!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever book that helps ease fear of monsters and offers a circular path back to another monster being born.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are awesome, the story is similar to If You Give A Mouse a Cookie... except every action is actually a choice. One choice stops the story and one continues it. I'm not a fan of the monster eating people as one of the choices, but it does make a nice springboard to discuss consequences to choices. A decent, but not outstanding, offering for story time for older kids.

[Kristen-Marie Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me hizo pensar en la serie “Si le das… a un…” de Laura Numeroff.

Entretenido para niños mayores que pueden entender el aspecto ridículo e hiperbólica de la trama, pero podría espantar a niños pequeños con sus referencias a comer a personas y vivir debajo de camas.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute picture book story about what happens when a monster is born, presenting two "either/or" options and if it's option A, then "that' that," but if it's option B... something even more absurd happens, leading to another "either/or" possibility.

[Taylor Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how some words are bolded and way bigger than the other words. The illustrations are amazing and go with the story perfectly. Basically a cause and effect story, great if doing a lesson over that!

[موضي · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funniest stories I've ever read. Creative and full of possibilities!

[Holly]

I read this for the kids in a class I volunteer in :)

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute not-so-scary monster book. I loved that there are always two choices.

[Nicte Yuen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una divertida y original historia sobre un monstruo y la toma de decisiones.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to all of my third grade classes. It was a big hit!

[Renee MA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun circle story.

[Melody Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this book I hope more people read it to its awsome 💚

[Hypatia's Dream · Rating 4 out of 5]

Que divertido cuento, un enfoque diferente, las ilustraciones no son las mejores pero a los niños les encantará. Es genial.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immediate re-read. It was well enjoyed.

[Tatyana Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be 20 years old and this engaged by a children’s book is crazy to me. I really enjoyed it

[Claire Holmes]

me trying to make choices while im high

[Angel Torres · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a pretty cool concept.

[Sarah Scheper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny story, kids would laugh

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Adam Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clever book about 2 possible things happening with every action in the book. Kids like when the principal gets eaten and grossed out when they get married.