Munschworks: The First Munsch Collection

Munschworks #1

by Robert Munsch, Michael Martchenko (Illustrator)

The stories in this Munsch collection are: • The Paper Bag Princess • I Have to Go! • David’s Father • The Fire Station • Thomas’ Snowsuit

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Humor

128 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Robert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Fordham University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and from Boston University in 1971 with a Master of Arts degree in anthropology.

He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975 he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.

Munsch's wife delivered two stillborn babies in 1979 and 1980. Out of the tragedy, he produced one of his best-known books, Love You Forever. This book was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). The Munsches have since become adoptive parents of Julie, Andrew and Tyya (see them all in Something Good!)

Munsch has obsessive-compulsive disorder and has also suffered from manic depression. In August 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak in normal sentences. He has recovered enough that he is able to perform live, but has put his writing career on hold until he is fully recovered.

Reviews

[Angelina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm, Not my kind of funny. Maybe my daughter will like them more.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few children's authors understand surprise, humor, and their conjunction, absurdity, as well as Munsch.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this collection of 5 stories in order to read The Paper Bag Princess, and it was my favorite of the stories.

The other 4 stories were worth reading as well. But this gets 5 stars because of The Paper Bag Princess, as the other 4 weren't worth quite 5 stars, 3 1/2s to 4 1/2s.

But all are funny, and they're fun for kids because in the stories the kids seem real and the kids have power.

[Paula Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughters are in College, this book is still on my shelf and every now and again they still rear it (so do I)

[alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The preschooler and I both love this collection! Current favorite involves needing to pee, shocking. Having the need for a bookmark has also been a new and appealing concept.

[Xiaojie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading and acting out the stories.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't go far wrong with classic Robert Munsch! This collection is excellent.

[Alto2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

We like all of Robert Munsch's books for kids, and we received this one as a gift years ago. It has withstood the test of time in this house of 3 boys. My personal favorite story is "The Paper Bag Princess," but I think my boys' favorite story is the one where the kids go to the firehouse and get in trouble.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3 yr old loves me to read this book. Esp. the paperbag princess. The only story she doesnt care for is the firehouse, because 'the kids get all dirty'. I think she'll get over that tho! She can even tell me which story she wants by pointing to the pictures in the table of contents- a great idea to teach pre readers what a table of contents is for!

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five great stories that my two-year-old loves.
Stories about a princess, a firetruck, going pee, a neighbors father, and a snowsuit relate to the ordinary thoughts and experiences of kids. But repetition, exaggeration, irony, and great pictures turn these familiar situations into hilarious adventures.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic collection of some of Munsch's many childrens' books. Several of these, including The Paperbag Princess and Thomas's Snowsuit were favorites of mine as a child, and are fun to pass on to the next generation. Be prepared to giggle, chuckle, and possiblely even belly laugh as you read these silly stories to your kids.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of read-aloud stories with some great messages of friendship, perseverance, and courage. I remember Thomas' Snowsuit from when I was a small child and the humor still holds up wonderfully today.

[Monelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what you ask for, next Christmas. You get a bunch all together. Great stories.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great collection of stories, a great way to get a few of his classics without buying multiple books

[Fred Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!