The Most Terrible of All

by Mượn Thị Văn, Matt Myers (Illustrator)

A monster discovers that true terribleness can come in tiny packages when he meets his neighbor's new baby.

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

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2019

About the author

Mượn Thị Văn loves to read books of all shapes and sizes. She first began reading yellow-spined hardbacks about a certain girl detective before graduating to longer novels and then picture books (it’s true, she doesn’t remember reading picture books as a young child). So few books reflected her formative experiences, though, that she desired to bring new and different stories into the world.

From her New York Times acclaimed debut, In a Village by the Sea, illustrated by April Chu, Mượn's books have received many distinctions, including a Northern California Book Award, a Golden Kite Award, a New York Public Library Best Book, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book, a Junior Library Guild Selection, and an Irma Black Honor Award.

When she's not writing, Mượn likes to roam the forests of northern California with her family.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terribly cute book! We loved it in our house. The nephew was laughing so much that he made the niece curious and we read it a second time for her. It’s a beginning story for a little older beginners and perfect for a 5 year old boy.

This is a twist on the magic mirror from snow white. Each morning our main monster asks the mirror who’s the most terrible of them all. The reply has always been ‘Ugly smuggly, my smelly wuggly, you are the most terrible one of all.’ My nephew loved that. In the picture is a frog hiding from the monster and his wide eyes and arms flattened against a rock cracked the nephew up. One day we find out there is a new terrible and it lives next door. Our monster storms over to the neighbors house and begins to be as terrible as he can. He finds the new monster is a baby (how perfect) and she is no match for our monster, but they do become friends. I think the scene that really did it for the kids was the baby was sitting on our monster’s head and then we see the diaper fill up with gas and an explosion happened. It took about 5 minutes at least to get the kids to settle down. You know the power of potty humor in this house. I was laughing at the kids and not the story. How they giggled.

I thought the artwork was great and it had so much humor in it. I want to read more by Muon Thi Van.

This story was perfect for my nephew. He gave this 10 our of 5 stars. He wants to own the book now. The niece thought this was funny too and she gave this 5 stars. It’s a hit.

[Anmiryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great twist on a fairytale device. I love it that the most terrible behaves exactly like a human baby. A great way to make a child encountering sibling rivalry at the arrival of a new sibling step back and laugh.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super cute monster twist on the classic Snow White tale. Monster wants to be the most terrible, but lo! a young contender emerges! Who can be more terrible?? This will probably be very amusing to young children who delight in laughing at naughty deeds, as well as children struggling with a much naughtier baby sibling.

The artwork was fine, but not exceptional. They are monsters, they are cute, they are colorful. I was surprised to read it was done in acrylics and oils, because the bright and distinct colors looked like digital color to me.

[Laura (Bookworm Extraordinaire) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids at the library story time were amazed by this book because it kept them guessing. Before I read it to them I had them predict what would happen and they were all so glad that they were wrong!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The magic mirror tells Smugg he is the most terrible monster of all. But then, one day, he is not.

Who has replaced Smug with the terrible-est monster crown? A baby monster!

Kids love monsters and they will love this story of a baby who beats out a monster champion.

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute monster story

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

monsters, babies, new friends

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monstrous sibling rivalry.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Most Terrible of All by Muon Thi Van, illustrated by Matt Myers. PICTURE BOOK Margaret K. Eldberry (Simon and Schuster), 2019. $18. 9781534417168

BUYING ADVIOSRY: EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Smugg prides himself on being the most terrible monster in the land, a fact that he checks every morning in his magic mirror. One day he learns that there is someone more terrible, and Smugg goes to a house full of monsters to prove that he is still the worst. What he finds is a baby monster, who truly is terrible.

The illustrations in this book are the best part. The monsters are creative, colorful and fun to look at. The story is a cute idea, but the ending was confusing and I had to explain it to my kids. Also, Smugg tramples frogs, and there are little green splats where the frogs used to be and that seems a bit violent.

Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smugg the monster is shocked one day to discover that he is no longer the most terrible of all. He storms next door to find out who has taken his place. He's surprised to discover that it's the baby. He starts a terribleness contest only to find out that indeed this baby is terrible. But maybe that isn't so bad. The real winner here is the delightfully monstrous illustrations. I'll admit I didn't foresee the direction the story would take which made for a funny surprise at the end. A fun book for young readers who enjoy their monsters with a strong dose of terrible.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story, and slyly turning the wicked witch of "Snow White" on its head. Instead of asking the magic mirror who is the most beautiful of all, this young monster wants to know who is the most terrible of all. And when he finds out that it is not himself, he rages off to find the offender. The acrylic and oil paintings by Matt Myers are very humorous; the monsters all shapes, sizes, and colors; with great facial expressions.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent if your needing a monster book. Smugg the monster wants to be the most terrible around, but his magic mirror tells him that the newborn baby monster next door is more terrible than him, and a great deal of scuffling with this baby ensues.

[Sarah Hyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids LOVED this book and I liked it, except it ends very abruptly. The story is fun and you're just frolicking along with the monsters until bam! -- it ends. There's not much resolution. It feels weird and rushed and not in keeping with the rest of the story.

[Britney Jonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book " The most terrible of all" is about Smugg the monster and he is the most terrible monster there is. Until one day when there was a worse monster right next door. I think this would be great for students to read in the classroom. I really think they will enjoy the book.

[Stacey Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a fun read aloud and maybe a good gift for a family who has a new baby sister. It could also fit into retellings as a picture book example based on Snow White, and would be a good lower level example to go with some of the popular YA examples.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A monster wants to be the most terrible monster of them all. When a baby monster is born, it is now the most terrible monster. The story was funny but the ending fell a little flat.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Snow White fairy tale is turned on its head in this monstrously fun story. When Monster is no longer the most terrible of all he goes in search of the monster who has taken the coveted spot.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars - guaranteed to get laughs

[Colorado Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

might be ok for storytime. it's about a monster who isn't the worst anymore because now there's a new baby monster who is even worse.... because it does bad baby stuff... it's pretty cute.

[Liz Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable!

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think students will like this silly, fun, and colorful book. A lot.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty adorable.

[Y.Poston]

very cute!

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smugg is the most terrible monster of all until .... a new baby arrives. Good art. The humor works for my kids.

[Lily Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

CLEAR UR SHT BOOK 31 Prompt 22

This Is Part of mommy and me reading challenge.
this one was cute but really didn't keep my attention. the illustrations were amazing.

[Audrey Day-Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and fun to read out loud, vibrant illustrations.

[Heather Back · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of words, but good rhyme. Maybe good for storytime if the kiddos can sit.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and playful, love the range of monsters and the play on Snow White.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smugg is pretty confident that he is the most terrible monster of all. Smugg is informed by his magic mirror terrible than that there is someone next door who is more terrible than he. Smugg truly meets his match.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious book playing on the Mirror on the wall. Love the monsters!