Marvin's Monster Diary: ADHD Attacks! (But I Rock It, Big Time)

Monster Diaries #1.1

by Raun Melmed, Annette Sexton, Jeff Harvey (Artist)

Meet Marvin, a lovable monster with a twelve-stringed baby fang guitar, a rambunctious case of ADHD, and a diary to record it all. His teachers scold him, his parents don't know what to do with him, and his sister is convinced he was raised by triple-tailed monkeys. In short, Marvin's life is feeling out of control—until a secret formula changes everything. In the same humorous spirit of  Diary of a Wimpy Kid comes  Marvin's Monster Diary: ADHD Attacks! (And I Rock It, Big Time).  Using the "monstercam" and "ST4" techniques developed by Dr. Raun Melmed of the Melmed Center in Arizona,  Marvin's Monster Diary teaches kids how to be mindful, observe their surroundings, and take time to think about their actions. Marvin's hilarious doodles and diary entries chronicle his delightful adventures, misadventures, and eventual triumph in a funny, relatable way. It's the one book on ADHD that kids will actually  want to read!  Marvin's Monster Diary also includes a resource section to help parents and teachers implement Dr. Melmed's methods, plus ST4 reminders that kids can remove, color, and place around the house.

Genres: Adhd, Parenting, Childrens

106 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2016

Reviews

[Miranda Reads]

"I should have expected something to go wrong - something always goes wrong for me."

Marvin the Monster is a great kid...but he has troubles focusing in his school, with his friends....really doing anything.

"I was always so busy DOING something that I forgot everything else."

One day, Marvin gets to go to a music contest and play his instrument for Stevie Strummer - Marvin's musical idol.

Only...when he gets to the contest...he is absolutely horrified.

"...I had to monster up and tell the greatest musician on Planet Monsterearth that I showed up to a musical competition with no musical instrument. Worst. Moment. Of. My. Life."

Luckily, Stevie Strummer has an extra moment to take Marvin under his wing.

"Stevie Strummer taught me his monstercam eye trick."

Marvin learns to use his "monstercam" to zoom in on the important things and the ST4 (Stop - take time to think) method to help him stay on track!

Overall, this was a pretty good book.

This book was written by Dr Melmed - a developmental pediatrician - who specializes in childhood difficulties (such as attention span issues or Autism).

I liked the concept of it - finding a new way to help children focus and be mindful of their reactions.

The book is designed (with fabulous illustrations) to be read with a parent or guardian and reflect on mindfulness.

He includes text at the back of the book for parents who are working with their children.

I think the concept of the book is fabulous, and the execution of it is pretty well-done.

However, as an adult reading this, it seems a bit heavy on the Monsterfied words (aka everything seems to have a monster-related pun) and a bit heavy-handed on the lessons.

I don't think it would be as-noticed by the children but I do think it could've used a bit more finessing so it seemed a bit less like a lesson and more like a story.

All in all, this one seemed like a very useful sort of book and could bring about great discussions with a child!

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Marvin's Monster Diary: ADHD Attacks! is a fun, interesting, and relatable book for children with ADHD, for children wanting to learn about ADHD and even for parents, carers, and teachers. I loved the simple but fun illustrations, and Marvin was just so sweet. This book left me with a big smile on my face at the end, and I will definitely be looking at reading the other books in this series. The techniques in the book are easy for children to understand and try out for themselves and I found the information for parents/carers at the back supportive, helpful and useful to help you support your child and work together to improve concentration, focus and behaviour. The book illustrations are very like Diary of A Wimpy Kid in style but a monster version helping add humour to the story.

[Taylor]

I randomly saw this on Thriftbooks, and ordered it to preview before Christmas to see if it would be good for my kiddo. I loved it.

I just want to say thank you to the three authors/illustrators who collaborated on this book. It has helped both myself and my first grader.

I appreciate that this isn't about doctor visits and medication, but rather about self-government and empowerment. I also feel like it teaches kids to not focus on the shame or embarrassment when they mess up. This helps them focus on what they *can* do.

Edited to say: I am on ADHD medication, I'm not against it. I believe in a holistic approach (meds plus therapy, exercise, food, outdoor time, chores, screen time in moderation, etc.)

[ainisreading]

(Book #1) Marvin's Monster Diary: ADHD Attacks! tells us the story of a junior, lovable monster who is struggling with his rambunctious ADHD diagnosis.

It is an easy reading book with pictures which helps me to understand better about people who are diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

This book was written by Dr. Raun Melmed, a developmental paediatrician. Interestingly, at the end of the book he did provide resources and guidance for parents and teachers on how to engage with these special needs children.

In this story, two techniques were described to enhance mindfulness and self-awareness.
The ST4 formulae which stands for "Stop Take Time To Think" and "camera" help Marvin to cut out distractions so that he won't miss important things.

[Hannah Podshadley]

This was so cute!!! And the resources at the end of the story are really helpful for parents and teachers who do not have personal experience with ADHD. I wish this book existed when I was a kid!

Thank you NetGalley for the digital copy in return for an honest review!

[Vilija]

This is an excellent tool for reading groups in 1-4 grades. Yes, it's specific for kids with ADHD, but its self-help suggestions of ST4 (Stop, Take Time to Think) and using a "camera" (visualize where you are, what's happening around you, and what choices you can make) are just good self-help strategies for any kid, ADHD or not.

[Jeanine]

Really fantastic! Fills a gap that's desperately needed because most adhd resources are aimed at the very young, teens, or adults. This fills the gap for the 6-10 years olds nicely. I even found the story engaging myself! The resources at the back were lengthy but good.

[Donna Metler]

I recieved a free eARC of this book so I could read and review it. Thank you for the opportunity.

Marvin is a cute little monster with ADHD, who learns a few strategies from a favorite band member at the battle of the bands.

I think Marvin would be appealing to kids, but as an adult, I found this book frustrating, Yes, the strategies may be helpful, but why was Marvin going at it alone? Why didn't his parents and teachers have cues already in place to help? Why was he being allowed to fail and given "red fangs" again and again? Where was the monster neuropsychologist or developmental pediatrician?

If a child is already being treated for ADHD and has supports in place, I could see this book being part of that treatment plan, a way to give them a feeling of not being alone. But my fear is that kids will be expected to pick up and run with the tools Marvin gives...with little other support, struggle, and see it as yet another failure. I believe this book is good intentioned. I also believe it misses the mark.

[sam]

Please read this from someone who read this book as a kid.
DON'T GIVE YOUR KID THIS BOOK.

Adults think the monster metaphor is cute, but this book made me feel like an absolute monster. It made me feel broken and scary, like my ADHD was a devil I had to tame. The strategies may seem perfect to parents, but the idea of taking your fingers and making a monster frame when you are overwhelmed was so incredibly patronizing and frustrating as a kid. This book impacted the way I saw myself for years to come. Don't give your kid this book. Neurotypical doctors are not whose books you should be reading. Read books by neurodivergent authors. I highly recommend This is not the Abby Show by Debbie Reed Fischer -- book was the first time I ever felt understood.

Kids with ADHD are not monsters. We are unicorns. Someone write a book about that instead.

[Raven]

Thank you to netgalley for giving me access to this book , Books like this make me feel so happy for kids in these generation because I always wished that books like this existed when I was little , books that make you realize that you are not crazy you just don't regulate yourself like other people. I would continue to recommend this book to my family especially the little kids in my life and also friends as well because I know it's not easy out here to find good resources that don't treat the kids as problems that need to be fixed but more as the human beings that they are except they just need a little more help than others.

[Jami]

marvin is a young monster with a LOT of energy. he often does things without thinking which makes life difficult for him. one horrible day, when it feels like nothing can go right, marvin's hero gives him an important tip on focusing. this tip leads marvin to making up his own tricks for slowing down, focusing, and observing those around him.


J Reader
Beginning Chapter book
Monsters
Boys
ADHD
Tricks for concentration


2/60

[Janelle]

My son really enjoyed this book, and I think it was both relatable and provided some good behavioral advice.

[Ron Frampton]

A children's book on ADHD AND HOW TO COPE WITH IT.

[Caroline]

An entertaining read to help kids manage their struggles with paying attention and being conscientious.