How to Return a Monster

by Charlotte Offsay, Rea Zhai (Illustrator)

If your grown-ups bring home a small monster, er, baby, don't panic. Just send it back! In this hilarious and heartfelt book about sibling relationships, a girl can't believe it when her parents bring home a fussy, stinky, attention-stealing monster. She hatches a plan to send it back to where it came from, with hilarious results . . . and along the way, she learns that maybe monsters--and siblings--aren't so bad after all.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 7, 2021

About the author

Charlotte Offsay was born in England, grew up in Boston, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two small children. Born into a family with a love of travel and adventure, Charlotte enjoys exploring new places and cultures. She is a former corporate finance client specialist who now spends her days caring for her family, volunteering in her local community, traveling, and using her experiences to fuel her true passion: writing.

Through her work, Charlotte hopes to make children laugh, to inspire curiosity, and to create a magical world her readers can lose themselves in time and time again.

Her debut picture book, The Big Beach Cleanup, will be published by Albert Whitman in March 2021, followed by How to Return a Monster releasing Fall 2021 with Beaming Books. A Grandma's Magic, will be published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House in Spring 2022.

For more information visit www.charlotteoffsay.com. She is represented by Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary.

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Reviews

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This funny picture book will appeal to kids who have a new baby--I mean, monster--in their homes. The fun text allows kids to be in on the joke as Big Sis's plan to return her baby brother unfolds. The lively art brings you right into the action as Big Sis cleverly distracts her parents and prepares to return her sibling . . . if only that mail carrier would hurry and come already!

[Lisa Katzenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute book and unique twist on the "new baby in the house" concept. The main character gives step by step instructions on how to return a monster -- i.e. baby sibling -- that are super funny. Mixed in are clever pro tips for the monster-returning process. Illustrations are fun and vibrant. A great read!

[Brandy Wilkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! Great story for helping a 1st child who may be having trouble getting used to a new child in the home.

Could also be cute as a segway into a how-to unit in K or 1st grade.

[Ellen Leventhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book! When you want to return your new baby sibling (well, the monster), you have to be prepared. Offsay's funny text keeps the reader laughing the whole time as she gives "practical" directions on how to prepare your monster for return. Zhai's beautiful bright illustrations add just the right amount of whimsy and fun to make the book a complete delight. I highly recommend this book not just for children experiencing the arrival of a new sibling, but for all children. It's a book that kids will want to read over and over again.

[Chelsea Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this hilarious and heartfelt story, we see an older sister falling in love with her new sibling. Big sister is not amused when baby brother is getting all the attention from mom and dad. She decides to return him and walks us through the steps for how to properly return your monsterly baby sibling.
Each step is ripe with humor and creativity. I especially liked the reference to the I-don’t-know-where-this-goes drawer! I laughed out loud. We all have that drawer. And the clever way the text is crossed out over “place monster in mail slot” as clearly the child is too big for it.
But it was the moment when big sister starts to engage with baby brother, and *gulp* starts to enjoy baby brother, and notices the mail carrier coming closer, and she says, “When you get bigger, I’ll show you…um, I mean someone will show you how to twirl,” that I got choked up! Charlotte truly knows how to capture the heart of a moment with sincerity and sweetness and without saccharine.

I recommend this story for any families with a new sibling in the home! But even my only child enjoyed this story and even paused her Harry Potter book to read it twice; a testament to Charlotte’s storytelling gifts and the playful art of Rea Zhai.

[Norene Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's a girl to do with a attention-grabbing younger sibling she doesn't really want? Simple--send him back, and that's exactly what the MC in this hilarious new picture book by Charlotte Offsay and illustrator Rea Zhai tries to do. Fortunately for the baby brother (Monster) it's not as simple as the MC imagines. There's a lot more planning and waiting than first anticipated which ultimately leads to some bonding time and the realization that maybe this whole big sister thing could work out. Written like a guide book, Offsay and Zhai have teamed together to create the perfect story for any child who is less than thrilled at the prospect of becoming a big brother or sister. Highly recommended!!!

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this book is so stinking cute! Bringing an addition into the family can be quite the challenge and How to Return a Monster takes a light, fun, and humorous approach to this ever-so relatable topic. In this how-to guide on returning a new baby, readers are given step-by-step tips and tricks from the older sibling narrator on the best way to return her new human. Along the way, the main character learns that sending baby back might not be what she wants after all. Highly recommend-especially for families looking to open up discussions with older siblings about bringing a new baby into the family. Thank you Beaming Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jocelyn Rish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super cute story about accepting a new sibling. The narrator is tired of her new sibling stealing her parents' attention, so she prepares to return the monster, er... baby. The how-to guide has steps like finding stamps, putting them on the monster, and getting the monster to the mail slot. It also includes pro tips on distracting parents and keeping the monster from crying. But as sister and monster wait for the mail carrier, they start to bond, and she realizes that siblings aren't so monstrous after all. Charlotte Offsay's hilarious text will provide plenty of giggles for kids before it takes its lovely emotional turn. And Rea Zhai's adorable illustrations bring the shenanigans to whimsical life.

[Lynn Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable book takes a fresh approach to the classic topic of sibling jealousy. When a young girl grows tired of the attention her new baby sibling is getting from her parents, she decides to return the "monster." She proceeds to go through a hilarious, step-by-step process to do exactly that...before coming to the realization that the monster might just be worth keeping after all.

The funny and concise text is matched by the charming illustrations to create a story that would make a great gift for any big sibling. I highly recommend this sweet story.

[AEB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this book. This charming story describes a situation we all have probably encountered--the desire to return a sibling back to wherever they came from! And the little girl in this book feels the same way. Fortunately, it takes the mail carrier a VERY, VERY long time to arrive. And by the time she does (spoiler alert) the little girl decides the younger sibling was delivered to the right place after all. Kids will giggle at the idea of returning a sibling via mail. The humorous text and bright illustrations work well together to create a fun tale my children enjoyed.

[Sita Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable story about a little girl who gets tired of the attention her new baby brother is getting from her parents and decides to return the “monster.” But in the process of planning how to return him, she realizes that maybe she really wants to keep the monster after all. Written in how-to style and filled with humor and heart, this book makes for a delightful read aloud. I highly recommend this book not only for kids experiencing the arrival of a new sibling but for all children.

[Michal Babay · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter chose this book as one of her very favorites from the whole year! She loves the sweet relationship between siblings and everything about this lovely story. This is the perfect book for anyone who's had a sibling (and sometimes wished they didn't). Get it for your kids - they'll love it!

[Deb Adamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from the viewpoint of a big sister, this family-funny book will have siblings laughing until the sweet conclusion. The text reads like scripted directions on how to return a new baby, complete with numbers, Pro tips and checkmarks! A must have read to begin discussions about the special bond between siblings.

[Kate Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

And warm and funny book that deals with the theme of sibling jealously with humour and heartfelt emotion. Using a “how to" structure, a young girl tries to “return” her new baby brother, aka the monster, before discovering something unexpected about herself (and the monster). This is the perfect sotry for any growing family.

[Brittany Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a hilarious and sweet picture book!
When an older sibling realizes she's had enough of her fussy younger brother, she comes up with a plan to 'return to sender'. Charlotte Offsay has prepared all of the steps, from one to ten, on how to return an unwanted younger brother. But guess what? Unwanted siblings have a tendency to become the best of friends. Children will love the hilarity in trying to place the 'monster' in the mail slot, and causing a distraction to not attract the grownups. From Offsay's brilliant text and Zhai's original illustrations, How to Return a Monster will make a perfect bedside or storytime read.

[Anne Wynter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book about a young girl who wants to send back her little sibling. But in the process of planning how to return him, she realizes that maybe she really wants to keep him after all. I love the sweet conclusion of this book. It would be a perfect gift for kids who are expecting - or adjusting to - the arrival of a new sibling.

[Danna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an Advance Reader Copy of this funny, clever book. Get ready to giggle! Highly recommended for households with little monsters (aka younger siblings).

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book! A big sister channels her jealousy into action when her little brother gets all the attention. The funny step-by-step return instructions will make young readers laugh. A sweet ending rounds out this sibling story!

[Lynne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's my personal review of this wonderful book:

https://www.literallylynnemarie.com/p...

[Meera Sriram · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts off as hilarious slowly begins to warm you heart! When a big sister wants to package and mail away the new baby that's stealing everyone's attention in the house, she ends up discovering that the little "package" is good company after all. A 10-step algorithm on how to return the "monster" guarantees laughter and a no-sibling-return policy :)

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really strong book, that shows a young girl trying to get a monster (ie her new, younger sibling) returned to sender. Bright and active illustrations aid the really simple narrative, which is delivered as an instructional discussion of what steps to take to similarly dress the monster up, get it slathered in postage stamps and on its way. In the apocalypse, people will be able to use this as a test for early-stage zombies, for only those would get to the end without raising a smile, if not more. Four and a half stars.

[Robin Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Return a Monster is a 10-step celebration of sibling relationships, with return postage and hugs included. Loved it!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book with fun art to go along with it. This book speaks to me even 30 years later. I was 9 when my brother was born and this would have been the perfect book for me back then, I read it to my 5 year old daughter and she loved it. Thanks to edelweiss for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute concept in a well-done story arc. Perfect for the older sibling who's frustrated with the little one in the family.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This light-hearted 'how-to' book explores the complicated feelings of an older sibling for the new baby in the family. From steps to pro-tips, the reader is offered instructions "to make absolutely sure the monster gets back to where it came from." Of course, all that close contact with the monster endears it to the older girl, who discovers that monsters aren't so bad after all. Fun-filled illustrations juxtapose the matter-of-fact text to deliver a fresh take on an evergreen theme. Highly recommend!

[Joan Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super cute story of a very relatable problem - big sis is not happy when her parents bring home an attention-stealing monster (ahem… sibling) and so she does what anyone in the situation might do: decides to return to sender. As she distracts mom and dad and prepares her “package,” we readers get to laugh at her antics and watch her ultimately discover that maybe monsters aren’t so bad after all. A tug-at-your-heartstrings story that’s also filled with warm humor, illustrated with cheerful, sweet pictures. Highly recommend!

[Sophia Gholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable story that every child with a sibling can relate to. Filled with humor, problem-solving and heart, this book is a great read for everyone. Kids and parents alike will laugh out loud!

[Nicholas Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an early copy and I loved it! I added it to my classroom library and one of my students has checked it out from me every single day! It is just such a cute story that every older sibling can relate to! And so funny too! I highly recommend!

[Jessica Kulekjian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Sis tackles the transition of her growing family with a big idea to send the attention grabbing monster back to where it came from. A hilarious “how to” style book filled with heart and lots of humor, makes this a delightful read aloud for any story time. The funny “pro-tips” sprinkled throughout the narrative will invite lots of giggles. This perfectly paced picture book makes an ideal gift for growing families and early elementary classroom libraries. Highly recommend!

[Becky Scharnhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this sweet and silly sibling story! The title and concept alone made me laugh out loud, but the real treasure is inside. Charlotte Offsay’s text is hilarious, and Rea Zhai’s illustrations are adorable. I’ve read this book countless times since it arrived, and I laugh every time. There are so many funny asides which add to the humor. It’s perfectly paced, and the structure is brilliant. It also ends on a surprisingly sweet and heartwarming note. I highly recommend it!