The Monstore

by Tara Lazar, James Burks (Illustrator)

The Monstore is a one-stop shop for all your monsterly needs in this enormously funny story that's full of friendly, kooky creatures.

At the back of Frankensweet's Candy Shoppe, under the last box of sour gumballs, there's a trapdoor. Knock five times fast, hand over a bag of squirmy worms, and you can crawl inside The Monstore.

The Monstore is the place to go for all of your monsterly needs. Which is perfect, since Zack definitely has a monsterly need. The problem? His pesky little sister, Gracie, who never pays attention to that "Keep Out" sign on Zack's door--the one he has made especially for her.

But when Zack's monsters don't exactly work as planned, he soon finds out that the Monstore has a few No Refunds. No exchanges. No exceptions.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 4, 2013

About the author

Street magic performer. Award-winning ice sculptor. Hog-calling champion. These are all things Tara Lazar has never been. Instead, she writes stories for children featuring quirky characters and hilarious happenings. Tara writes the 7 ATE 9 series of picture books from Little Brown, illustrated by Ross MacDonald. Her next book is BLOOP, about an alien who comes to conquer earth but thinks the dogs are in charge! Tara lives in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters, and an adopted stray cat named Phoebe who thinks she is in charge of the planet. Visit Tara online to read about all her books at taralazar.com.

Reviews

[Mary Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really cute book that had it all - silly monsters, a bit of sibling rivalry, heroic moments from the older brother, and really great illustrations. The colors of the monsters really popped against the darker backgrounds.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the wonderful privilege of actually hearing James Burks read an early copy of this to kids. It is such a fun book. Lazar did a great job telling the story and Burks topped it off with his illustrations.

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun and super twists and turns. Wonderful debut and stellar picture book. I love that there's a trap door in this zany monster story.

[Julie Grasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment this book entered the house, my 2y.o loved it. She asked us to read the "Monstore" 5 times before lunch and her eyes were glued to the page. Day 2 we couldn't leave the house without the Monstore. Day 3 she started paraphrasing the pages whilst flicking through them herself. As I started to write this review, she saw the picture on screen and exclaimed "Monstore Mummy, go get Monstore." So we clambered up stairs to get it. I was trying to take a few pictures of our favourite pages for our blog but the toddler kept turning them so she could read it. I couldn't wrestle the book from her chubby little hands. So are you getting my point yet, THIS IS 100% TODDLER APPROVED...

Zack has a dilemma. A pesky younger sister in Gracie, but have no fear, Zack has a plan. He invests in the scariest monster called "Manfred". You would think an enormous red beast would do the trick, but no, Zack's plans go awry. Back he goes to the Monstore for a refund, where he finds he has failed to read the fine print... NO REFUND, NO RETURNS, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Zack is wooed by the Monstore sales pitch, so he takes home another monster, but yet again, his plans are thwarted. Buy, try, buy, try are clearly not working for Zack and eventually he finds himself with an entire house of monsters. What will he do? How will he ever scare his little sister into keeping out of his room? Well, I am not going to tell you, you will just have to read it. I can tell you, you will have a monster chuckle when you find out what works. This is a delightful read with the most extremely awesome as Lola would put it illustrations. The toddler may not pick up on the attention to detail, but mum does and every page I find something else to giggle about.The detail in each page is just fantastic and this story is just so innovative and unique. So there you have it. Any book that grabs a toddlers attention from the moment they make eye contact is a 10 STAR read for us.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Determined to scare away his pesky younger sister, Zack visits the Monstore and brings home a big red creature named Manfred. Unfortunately, Manfred proves less than effective, sharing his hiding place with Gracie and taking her under his wing. Unable to return his purchase or obtain a refund - store policy! - Zack buys monster after monster, only to find himself foiled again and again. When he finally does discover what scares Gracie, his reaction is equally unexpected...

With its premise of a store for monsters, Tara Lazar and James Burks' Monstore reminded me a bit of R.L. Stine's The Little Shop of Monsters , although the respective story-lines of the two picture-books are otherwise quite distinct. A sweet tale of learning to accept one's annoying sibling is given a spooky and amusing new guise in Lazar's tale, while Burks' colorful artwork accentuates the madcap humor of the story. Recommended to those looking for somewhat gentler monster tales for the picture-book set.

[Donna]

For sure, THE MONSTORE is a keeper, in my opinion. I am quite the fan of picture books, but only buy the ones I simply HAVE to own. Tara's story is very fresh and clever, but especially fun to read! How often do you have satisfying twists in a picture book? Well, this one has it!

The illustrations are a perfect fit, too. I highly recommend this book for anyone's bookshelf, and that includes big "kids" like myself :)



***Please NOTE: I won’t give "star” ratings; rating things turns me off. I ignore them, preferring actual reviews, hoping they are sincere, whether positive or negative. Mine will be sincere : )

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This week I get to celebrate Tara Lazar’s book The Monstore. It is illustrated by the talented James Burks.

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as my son who had to immediately flip, remind me, reread, and enjoy this book a few extra times. I love when a creative author and fantastic illustrator can get my son to belly laugh…

What would you do if you went to the Monstore to get a monster to scare your little sister and you don’t get the results you want… would you return the monster? What if you have no chance of returning the monster, what then?! Would you go home, pout and just deal with your sister? Or would you… buy another monster? Why yes, buy another monster of course, that will solve everything, right?

Tara Lazar’s book is terrific year round. It is quite entertaining, has hilarious and thoughtful word choice, and is a special picture book that I know I won’t see once I share and place this on the shelf. It will have non-stop borrowing!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful picture book full of humor and fun, The Monstore is imaginative and fun to read out loud. I tried this out on my nephew and he loved it. In fact he wanted me to read it again (he doesn't do that a lot, he actually seems to prefer a variety of books rather than the same ones over and over). I really enjoyed reading this one myself and plan to use it in my library in the fall. The text is creative and fun to read and the illustrations complement it perfectly. I'm a big fan of bright and colorful illustrations and these fit that description to a tee. The solution to Zach's problem of a pesky sister provides a nice twist to how one might expect the story to end. A wonderfully creative addition to the wonderful world of children's picture books, I can highly recommend this one.

[D.peabody · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Zack finds the Monstore he discovers a wondrous place that sells all sorts of useful monsters. He decides that he needs a scary monster to keep his pesky sister out of his bedroom. Things don’t quite work out the way that Zack expected and he is dismayed to discover that store policy is No returns, No exchanges, No exceptions! Maybe another monster would help?

This is a fun story full of humour and imagination. The illustrations are just fantastic, they are bright with just the right hint of scariness to keep little boys and their sisters on the edge of their seats. This story will appeal to both children and adults alike.

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Monsters University coming out in theaters soon, this is a great tie-in book about a boy who purchases a monster to keep away his little sister. But it seems that the monster likes his sister, so he purchases another, and another and another. Soon, monsters fill their house and they must figure out what to do. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is very cute - what to do with an annoying sibling, but with a postive outcome of sibling solidarity.

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about a boy who brings home monster after monster to frighten his little sister. He fails as it turns out his little sister likes scary monsters. What is little sister afraid of? A tiara and the shadow it casts.

Anyways, it's cute and silly. My 5 year old liked it and we read it a few times before it had to go back to the library.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story of a brother who buys a monster to keep his sister away. He wants a refund because it didn't work. This story is really fun and I enjoyed how it ended. Great pictures and it doesn't have to be only told at Halloween.

[The Book Box]

Mama read this book to me this evening. I couldn't stop looking at all the pictures of the colorful monsters! I kept looking across the page spreads as Mama read, and then we went through the book again just so I could look at the pictures! I also helped turn the pages.

[Bailey Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute! The illustrations were amazingly fun and colourful, and really helped add to the story. Definitely using this book in programming.

[Erik This Kid Reviews Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zack didn’t want his pest of a sister to come snooping into his room anymore. That’s why he went to the Monstore. To buy Manfred, who’s job is to keep little sisters away. Sadly, Manfred “doesn’t work”. Nor does Mookie or Mojo. Zack keeps buying monsters, but none of them do their job. What’s worse is that the Monstore has one policy – NO RETURNS. As the monsters keep piling up, Zack isn’t sure what to do.

Okay, I must honestly say that I wish I had a Monstore nearby. And I must honestly add that I have been waiting for this book for TWO YEARS! Ms. Lazar’s blog is one of the first blogs I followed when I first started my blog and I kept hearing her talk about her book that would be coming out and I REALLY wanted to read it. I even sent her a drawing of a monster I would like to buy in the Monstore. And now, I FINALLY GOT A COPY! WAHOO!!! It was worth the wait! I love the story idea and the whole idea of a Monstore! The plot was unique and totally fun to read. The illustrations are AWESOME! The colors and the way all the monsters are drawn go so well with the story. I enjoyed reading this book SO much, I read it 18 times (okay maybe more)! :D
**NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review - The Monstore by Tara Lazar, illustrated by James Burks is a delightfully quirky take on the age-old sibling battle.

As the older sister of a pesky younger brother, I can fully relate to Zack's dilemma of getting away from his sister's attentions. I remember always having to be the better child, since I was older and I "knew better." Younger siblings can take advantage of such things.

Zack heads to the Monstore to find a solution to his pesky little sister, Gracie, who never pays attention to the big keep out sign on his room. He buys a monster to scare her away. What ensures is a delightfully quirky tale of the solution gone wrong. Gracie is harder to scare then he knows.

The art is bright and colorful and just as quirky as the story. Mr. Burks imaginative and offbeat monsters are a delight to behold.

This book will be a delight to child and parent alike and will stand up to the test of multiple re-readings at bedtime.

---

Note: For this review - The Monstore by Tara Lazar, I received a copy from the publisher.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's the definition of insanity? When you keep trying the same thing and expecting a different result. Well, sometimes it takes us longer than just a couple of tries to realize something is not going to work out. In Monstore, it takes Zack several trips to the store to finally accept that the monsters are not going to keep his little sister, Gracie, out of his room. But now he has a house full of monsters and no room for himself. So, with the help of an unexpected ally, he makes the best of it. The furry monsters in this book are the cutest, and the resolution is great, but I thought having as a key point of the plot the fact that you can't return something a little bizarre.

[Romelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys and I enjoyed this book immensely. What's not to love about a Monstore. I have 2 monsters on layaway now! Tara Lazar's language and word choice are superb. The Monstore makes a fun read aloud. Illustrator, James Burks, did an outstanding job of bringing the characters to life. Kids will have a field day thinking of the monsters they'd like to have. It may even encourage them to create monsters of their own and let their imagination soar. I can see this as a cartoon movie coming to a theatre near you!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Monstore by Tara Lazar, Zack visits the Monstore to find a monster who will frighten away his pesky little sister. But things don't work out the way he planned. I loved the Monstore! It's a beautiful picture book. The title and art appealed to me before I even read the book. The writing is charming and humorous. The illustrations by James Burks are absolutely delightful. I highly recommend it.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by debut author, Tara Lazar is fantastic! It will have any child who has had to deal with a pesky brother or sister laugh out loud. A funny read with brilliant illustrations. A bonus- as a second grade school teacher, I am tying it in with State Common Core Standards in ELA (Inferencing) and Art. You must get this book!

[Magila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique story about a big brother, annoying little sister, and menagerie of monsters. This was well illustrated and a fun story with enough repetition to be useful to early readers. The boy and girl protagonist, and final message is certain to be applicable to a child of any gender.

Fun and colorful. Recommended.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

My niece is a huge monster fanatic at only four years old --and this was a sure-fire winner. The illustrations reminded me just a little bit of Craig McCrackin's Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends but thats were similarities end. These monsters are one-of-a-kind to The Monstore...but they never seem to work in the way you'd expect --just remember: no refunds, no exchanges, no exceptions.

[Alison Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this--it's not your typical picture book. But when my eight-year-old discovered it, took it into another room for a few minutes, and bounded back into the kitchen shouting, "This book is AWESOME!" I knew we had a keeper.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations and story are perfect together. I read this book on the last day of school. The kids were so animated, full of comments and giggles. They loved the line, "No returns! No exchanges! No exception!"

[Saba N Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and hilarious story about a brother who buys monsters to scare his little sister. There is one problem, it backfires on him. Now, he has to rescue his sister and her horde of misfit monster friends. Absolutely brilliant!

[Jen Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Simple story with amazing illustrations. Just what a picture book should be!
This is NOT a heavy message-driven picture book Or a deep plot your child could sink teeth into. This is a fun quick read that tells (almost) the entire story right in the title. :) Amazing right?

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! My kids ask me to read it all rr time and I find my 6 year old playing it out in his room! Would make a great movie or Tv series!

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burks' pictures made this story work for me. A humorous and monsterly tale of one brother trying to get his sister to stop pestering him.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story with glorious illustrations!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it for a 2nd time last night, something tells me it will be chosen again tonight! LOVE the illustrations!