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Simon's Book
Simon flees from a friendly monster with the aid of some drawing pens and a bottle of ink.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
2 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Henrik Drescher
49 books17 followersHenrik Drescher was born in Copenhagen and immigrated to the United States in 1967. He began a career in illustration as a young man and has been traveling throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe and China, creating massive journals of notes and drawings wherever he went.
His books are held in the collections of the Library of Congress, the Museum of Modern Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Rijks Museum in Den Haag, Netherlands. He has received numerous other honors including two awards from the Society of Illustrators.
His books are held in the collections of the Library of Congress, the Museum of Modern Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Rijks Museum in Den Haag, Netherlands. He has received numerous other honors including two awards from the Society of Illustrators.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 31, 2019
In this highly entertaining metatextual adventure, a young artist pauses, in the act of drawing a story about a boy named Simon, and the frightening monster that he is confronting, and goes to bed. Simon, meanwhile, stuck on the page with this threatening beast, is rescued by some pens and a bottle of ink, who create an escape for him. Unfortunately, the monster pursues, until... but I'll let you discover that yourself! Suffice it to say, all ends well.
I enjoyed this picture-book, and keep vacillating between three and four stars, when it comes to my rating. The artwork is distinctive, with a kind of quirky charm that is very appealing: I particularly liked the monster, with his long snout! The story itself is engaging, with a chase sequence that young readers will find immensely exciting (although perhaps a little scary) and an ending that is most satisfyingly happy. All right, that settles it! Four stars it is...
I enjoyed this picture-book, and keep vacillating between three and four stars, when it comes to my rating. The artwork is distinctive, with a kind of quirky charm that is very appealing: I particularly liked the monster, with his long snout! The story itself is engaging, with a chase sequence that young readers will find immensely exciting (although perhaps a little scary) and an ending that is most satisfyingly happy. All right, that settles it! Four stars it is...
January 13, 2026
"Late one evening, a young boy began to draw a story about Simon and the scary monster."But the boy became too sleepy to finish the story, so he went to bed with Simon being confronted by the monster. One nice thing about drawing is when you take a break, there's no pressure to get back in and finish the story...right?
Unfortunately, the monster was very much alive and ready to eat Simon! Fortunately, two fountain pens join Simon and try to help him draw his way out.
"As soon as the boy was asleep, a curious sound came from the direction of the drawing table."
Will Simon survive? And what will happen to the boy's story?
I really enjoyed the story....but the illustrations weren't my favorite.
I liked the fourth-wall breaking of Simon and his fountain pens - as the fountain pens drew, Simon was able to take advantage of quick exits or chaotic moments.
And I thought the way the story wrapped up was quite fun too - I liked how the real boy was surprised by the turn of events.
That being said the art wasn't to my taste. The color palette reminded me of a fresh bruise and the monster was too off-putting (I get that he's a monster...but still).
Ultimately, I did have fun reading this one...but I think I'll get it from the library instead of buying it.
June 21, 2010
This is a very funny story with a clever twist. It’s ingenious and fun to read, and it’s actually quite well written. My favorite line is “…out of the monstrous predicament he has been drawn into so thoughtlessly.” That gave me one of the many chuckles I experienced while reading this book.
As I was reading I thought the pictures & story might be frightening for some particularly sensitive young children, but as the story (and pictures!) shifted, I thought it was the perfect book for children who are afraid of monsters.
The illustrations are outstanding and so creative. I admit I’m a bit perplexed about a bird that seems to change from blue-green to red. Did the ink really go haywire or is there a second (or third?) bird? I did think that the first illustration of the monster within the book made the monster look goofy and friendly, but then his appearance does manage to change for a while.
The illustrations and story work together seamlessly, and the book is amusing and sweet, and it’s also inspiring for artists and other imaginative children.
I love these books (such as Harold and the Purple Crayon) where the art supplies drive the story.
As I was reading I thought the pictures & story might be frightening for some particularly sensitive young children, but as the story (and pictures!) shifted, I thought it was the perfect book for children who are afraid of monsters.
The illustrations are outstanding and so creative. I admit I’m a bit perplexed about a bird that seems to change from blue-green to red. Did the ink really go haywire or is there a second (or third?) bird? I did think that the first illustration of the monster within the book made the monster look goofy and friendly, but then his appearance does manage to change for a while.
The illustrations and story work together seamlessly, and the book is amusing and sweet, and it’s also inspiring for artists and other imaginative children.
I love these books (such as Harold and the Purple Crayon) where the art supplies drive the story.
June 21, 2010
When a little boy goes to bed, he leaves an unfinished picture of a boy menaced by a monster. What will happen to the poor lad, alone in the dark with a monster?!
Fortunately, two pens and an ink well come to the rescue. I loved the breaking of the planes in this book. Not only do the implements of art interact with the images, they enter the paper but still remain able to alter it. My favorite moment was when the pen draws a hole for the boy to escape through to the other side of the page.
The style of the illustrations is not one I love, but it is well done for what it is and has a lot of expression.
Fortunately, two pens and an ink well come to the rescue. I loved the breaking of the planes in this book. Not only do the implements of art interact with the images, they enter the paper but still remain able to alter it. My favorite moment was when the pen draws a hole for the boy to escape through to the other side of the page.
The style of the illustrations is not one I love, but it is well done for what it is and has a lot of expression.
January 29, 2012
I actually first saw Simon’s Book when I was watching Reading Rainbow, a show that used to come on PBS when I was little. When I started watching Simon’s Book, I was intrigued by the creative drawings of Simon and the monster that this book became my all-time favorite children’s book from the creative mind of Henrik Drescher.
Henrik Drescher’s master storytelling and his wild drawings make this book extremely appealing to everyone of all ages. He vividly draws the monster as a scary figure that at first threatens the main characters by chasing them all throughout the book and then draws the monster as a cuddly figure that brings Simon, the pens, and the ink jar safely back home. Simon himself is depicted as an innocent wild haired boy who only wants to get out of the predicament that he has been put into so carelessly and the ink pens are drawn like they are playful looking snakes who want to help Simon get out of his predicament. Henrik Drescher’s creative drawings mixed with his simplistic yet intriguing narrating makes Simon’s book both intense and comforting at the same time.
Parents should know that the beast in this book looks extremely scary, probably scarier than any other monster you would see in many children’s books. The beast looks like a warthog-monster with the pig-like snout and the bristles on its back are truly terrifying as they are black and extremely pointed. If you look on the cover of the book, you probably know what this beast truly looks like. But, the monster also comes off as being a friendly creature in the end of the book so many children do not have to worry about the monster eating Simon.
Simon’s Book is one book that is to be treasured by every one of all ages. Henrik Drescher has mastered creativity beyond his ability to draw by creating intense scenes that keeps you wondering until the very end about whether or not the beast is going to eat Simon and then mellows down to a happier tone when the audience finds out that the beast is actually a friendly monster. This book is also great for children who are beginning to read since the format of this book is written in a kindergarten fashion as there are only a few words on each page and is great in reading new vocabulary, such as the book using the words “comfort” and “retreated.” Simon’s Book is a wonderful book for anyone who loves adventure and the power of friendship overcoming any obstacle in life.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Henrik Drescher’s master storytelling and his wild drawings make this book extremely appealing to everyone of all ages. He vividly draws the monster as a scary figure that at first threatens the main characters by chasing them all throughout the book and then draws the monster as a cuddly figure that brings Simon, the pens, and the ink jar safely back home. Simon himself is depicted as an innocent wild haired boy who only wants to get out of the predicament that he has been put into so carelessly and the ink pens are drawn like they are playful looking snakes who want to help Simon get out of his predicament. Henrik Drescher’s creative drawings mixed with his simplistic yet intriguing narrating makes Simon’s book both intense and comforting at the same time.
Parents should know that the beast in this book looks extremely scary, probably scarier than any other monster you would see in many children’s books. The beast looks like a warthog-monster with the pig-like snout and the bristles on its back are truly terrifying as they are black and extremely pointed. If you look on the cover of the book, you probably know what this beast truly looks like. But, the monster also comes off as being a friendly creature in the end of the book so many children do not have to worry about the monster eating Simon.
Simon’s Book is one book that is to be treasured by every one of all ages. Henrik Drescher has mastered creativity beyond his ability to draw by creating intense scenes that keeps you wondering until the very end about whether or not the beast is going to eat Simon and then mellows down to a happier tone when the audience finds out that the beast is actually a friendly monster. This book is also great for children who are beginning to read since the format of this book is written in a kindergarten fashion as there are only a few words on each page and is great in reading new vocabulary, such as the book using the words “comfort” and “retreated.” Simon’s Book is a wonderful book for anyone who loves adventure and the power of friendship overcoming any obstacle in life.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
November 5, 2009
Summary:
This story is about a little boy who starts to draw out a story about Simon and the monster and then suddenly goes to sleep before finishing his book. When the boy is asleep, his drawings come to life and both the ink pens and the bottle of ink tries to help Simon in his monstrous predicament. When the monster suddenly starts to chase Simon and his friends, Simon and his friends must try to escape their foe. Of course, this book has a surprise ending, which I will not reveal until you read it yourself.
This is one of the few books where both the main characters have a happy ending instead of one of the characters have a happy ending. The text is witty and the illustrations are so vivid as they displayed the monster being drawn as a vividly scary monster. This book is an instant treat for all children and adults alike.- Anon
Potential Audience (Reading level): Early / Transitional
Genre: Action / Adventure / Children's picture book
Topic: Imagination, dreams, villains and friends
Specific Curricular uses: Read Aloud: I would use this book for a read aloud because the story would be easy to recreate with different voice inflections and tones.
Social issues the book addresses: Don't judge a book by it's cover.
Specific literary elements: Descriptive text helps the story unfold, uses many adjectives to create imagery,
Interactions and counter actions of text and images: text helps create imagery, illustrations offer clues of what is to come, watercolors
This story is about a little boy who starts to draw out a story about Simon and the monster and then suddenly goes to sleep before finishing his book. When the boy is asleep, his drawings come to life and both the ink pens and the bottle of ink tries to help Simon in his monstrous predicament. When the monster suddenly starts to chase Simon and his friends, Simon and his friends must try to escape their foe. Of course, this book has a surprise ending, which I will not reveal until you read it yourself.
This is one of the few books where both the main characters have a happy ending instead of one of the characters have a happy ending. The text is witty and the illustrations are so vivid as they displayed the monster being drawn as a vividly scary monster. This book is an instant treat for all children and adults alike.- Anon
Potential Audience (Reading level): Early / Transitional
Genre: Action / Adventure / Children's picture book
Topic: Imagination, dreams, villains and friends
Specific Curricular uses: Read Aloud: I would use this book for a read aloud because the story would be easy to recreate with different voice inflections and tones.
Social issues the book addresses: Don't judge a book by it's cover.
Specific literary elements: Descriptive text helps the story unfold, uses many adjectives to create imagery,
Interactions and counter actions of text and images: text helps create imagery, illustrations offer clues of what is to come, watercolors
February 27, 2019
I have always loved Henrik Drescher's pen and ink /watercolor illustrations.
October 19, 2024
I recognize this story from an episode of Reading Rainbow, but I couldn’t remember the title or the author of this remarkable story. Years later, I was inspired to revisit it after graduating school and becoming an author myself. This story has a quirky feel to it, and it should appeal to readers that enjoy stories by Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl.
When a little boy is drawing a story of a kid named Simon and a scary monster, he gets tired and goes to bed before he finishes writing it. I remember Simon’s quest to escape from a monster with help from two friendly fountain pins that crawl like caterpillars and a messy bottle of ink. The story gives the reader a sense of breaking the fourth wall as the pens and ink try to draw Simon away from the monster that is chasing them. There is delightful wordplay and writing puns to make readers laugh. Simon’s Book captures the excitement and beauty of an author creating a story and the characters in the plot. In this type of story, it is hard to expand on the plot without revealing spoilers. But it has a lovely message about helping a friend in need and facing your fears. The monster has a wonderful creative design a cross between a shrew, a bear, and a boar without the tusks.
When a little boy is drawing a story of a kid named Simon and a scary monster, he gets tired and goes to bed before he finishes writing it. I remember Simon’s quest to escape from a monster with help from two friendly fountain pins that crawl like caterpillars and a messy bottle of ink. The story gives the reader a sense of breaking the fourth wall as the pens and ink try to draw Simon away from the monster that is chasing them. There is delightful wordplay and writing puns to make readers laugh. Simon’s Book captures the excitement and beauty of an author creating a story and the characters in the plot. In this type of story, it is hard to expand on the plot without revealing spoilers. But it has a lovely message about helping a friend in need and facing your fears. The monster has a wonderful creative design a cross between a shrew, a bear, and a boar without the tusks.
March 16, 2021
This book was a very interesting book. It was about a boy who was drawing a boy named Simon. After he was soon tired and then went to sleep. As he was sleeping his drawings came to life and the pens he was using to draw planned to help Simon get out of the mess he was drawn into. Then the two pens and the ink bottle started helping Simon get away from the monster by drawing different pictures and objects. Then at the end the monster ended up being a friendly monster instead of a evil one! This book was very nice and funny and I enjoyed the colorful illustrations. The author did a fantastic job with the pictures and really sold the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2020
This story reminded me of the picture book, "Where the Wild Things Are." Essentially, the boy's imagination comes to life. I feel like that is sort of like every little kid's dream, or creative outlet, and that makes a great motif for picture books. I liked the metatextual layer of the story that involved the pens in the bedroom kind of trying to rescue the illustrated boy. Very thoughtful.
June 5, 2021
This was Drescher's debut book, and what a game changer it was! He was the first to allow - no, to celebrate - messiness on the page, with delightful ink blots and splashes everywhere. And the cleverness of Simon and his pen! A terrific read for anyone interested in imagination and creativity.
May 16, 2017
I really do like stories that come full circle, no matter how simple. This is a great example of that.
February 9, 2020
Kinda like Harold and the Purple Crayon, but with a little more drama, with a resolution of scary monsters not being so scary.
October 9, 2021
It's an amazing book
September 10, 2025
Surprisingly wholesome
Read
January 13, 2026test one
September 29, 2014
I found this book endearing, which I've not said previously about post-modern picture books. It is a tale of a boy named Simon who draws the beginning of a story before going to bed. As seems to often happen in books, something takes place during the night which changes everything. What happens during this night is that the two characters Simon drew come to life, a boy and a very aggressive-looking beast. As the beast looks ravenously upon the hapless boy, the pens and ink Simon had used earlier in the evening spring into action to defend the boy. What ensues is a lively chase through the next four pages of full page spreads wherein the pens and ink are quick and clever, but not quite clever enough. As the game of chase ensues, the characters break frame on several occasions, lending to the playfulness of the illustrations. The characters Simon drew become a book within a book in this meta-fictive tale. "Simon's Book" is a perfect bedtime story, because youngsters will delight in its ending.
August 3, 2011
Simon's Book is a wonderful story about a boy who starts a drawing and then falls asleep. While he is sleeping, the unfinished drawing comes to life! Pens turn into helpful snakes as Simon is being chased by terrible beast. From page to page Simon and the pens try to escape the beast who keeps getting closer and closer. The pens are very creative and they do neat things to help Simon like rolling him down a hill, drawing holes to help him get through a page and more! In the end, Simon comes face to face with the beast. Just when he thinks his end is near, a shocking a charming twist takes place in the story that is sure to make you happy with the time spent reading this delightful book.
This is a fun children's story that was a blast to read! The illustrations are marvelous, and you will enjoy everything about it!
This is a fun children's story that was a blast to read! The illustrations are marvelous, and you will enjoy everything about it!
March 22, 2011
Simon's Book by author and illustrator Henrik Drescher is a nother interesting and unique children's book full of suspense and comical elements. The reader finds themself reading a story that is being written inside a nother story. The only easy way to describe it is to compare it to that of Emily Gravette's Wolves. The bizarre imagery looks to be mostly pen drawings and colored pencil shading. The setting of the story is queite unique compared to most other stories in that it all takes place inside a drawing pad that is being illustrated by personified inanimat objects such as pens and ink. The creativity that Drescher brings to each page is refreshing and exciting and calls for a great children's book with a happy ending.
April 27, 2011
I've always remembered the art from this one. Always.
The pictures were so loose and active and exciting, they made me want to draw. And so I did.
I don't think I've ever lost that initial inspiration of motion and activity in my art. I can't do stationary or static nearly as well as something wild and mobile.
The story in this book is a little secondary to me. Its your basic tale of mistaken identity and learning more about others before you judge them. Great stuff, but for my weird little-kid mind that got lost behind the thought that there were adults that don't color inside the lines. I don't think anyone can trace a love of something back to a single event, but if I tried... I would have to credit this book with a huge portion of my love for drawing and painting.
The pictures were so loose and active and exciting, they made me want to draw. And so I did.
I don't think I've ever lost that initial inspiration of motion and activity in my art. I can't do stationary or static nearly as well as something wild and mobile.
The story in this book is a little secondary to me. Its your basic tale of mistaken identity and learning more about others before you judge them. Great stuff, but for my weird little-kid mind that got lost behind the thought that there were adults that don't color inside the lines. I don't think anyone can trace a love of something back to a single event, but if I tried... I would have to credit this book with a huge portion of my love for drawing and painting.
May 21, 2016
A little boy goes to bed without finishing his drawing and leaves Simon alone on the page with a big scary beast. With the help of animated pens and an ink well, Simon attempts to escape the scary (or not-so-scary) monster. The adventures of Simon, his helpers, and the beast leave an even more magical creation for the boy to find when he wakes up. I liked the artistic style of this particular book. Almost all of the pages were filled with color and the characters ran and fell and wriggled from one page to another just as they might have in real life. The colors were darker and more "dream-like" - which added to the mysterious and slightly dangerous storyline. I only wish that the story had been a little bit longer.
October 20, 2011
In this story, a young boy begins a drawing of Simon and and monster, but it is unfinished when he gets too tired and falls asleep before being able to complete his picture. While the boy is sleeping, his drawing comes to life. I liked this picture book because it seems as though it would be appealing to children of all ages. It is filled with wild drawings, and an innocent little boy named simon who shows his creativity that every little kid has.
November 18, 2014
i thought the illustrations were good and the story was really enjoyable to follow along with. however there was never a moment during the book where i said ah thats really good! but there was not a moment where i said wow that ridiculous. so i would read it again. but not for the text and story but just for the illustrations alone because they are fantastic.
January 21, 2024
OMG! I remember that on Reading Rainbow they showed how the book was written and illustrated and it was soooo cool! I remember wanted to read this book so much after that and I think we did eventually get it out the library.
September 27, 2009
This is one of my favorite children's books. A young boy draws a story of a boy, Simon, being chased my a monster. The boy then falls asleep, leaving the monster chasing Simon. The pens help Simon by drawing the rest of the story. It's great. All children (and adults) should read this book.
September 20, 2010
An interesting story to say the least. It was comical how the pen and ink sprung into action to save Simon. One of my favorite illustrations occurred when the ink spilled on the page and all that could be seen in the blackness was the monster's white eyes and sharp teeth.
August 22, 2015
A young boy falls asleep leaving his drawing of a boy and monster unfinished. While he's asleep his pens come to life and finish the story. Will the boy escape the hungry beast?
Cute story and great illustrations.
Recommended age: 3+
Cute story and great illustrations.
Recommended age: 3+
February 22, 2008
Not so good for us. I wonder if Logan isn't old enough yet? he didn't really "get" it and didn't enjoy the pictures. He said he didn't really like the monster book.
August 28, 2011
This book made me want to make picture books. Love the story and the illustrations that look like punk music.
November 6, 2012
Amazing! Great story and illustrations. Loved this as a kid, and still read it from time to time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews