A Monster Is Eating This Book

by Karen Kilpatrick, German Blanco (Illustrations)

For fans of The Book With No Pictures and The Monster at the End of this Book , this funny and interactive picture book showcases a word-eating monster and the (adorable) surprise behind this frightful creature.

There is a sleeping monster within these pages. But this is no ordinary monster. This monster eats words . And when the monster is awake, it gets HUNGRY. So you have to be very careful and very quiet while reading. If you hear a growl―run fast.

Oh no, what’s that? The monster’s woken up! How are we supposed to finish this book when all the words are being eaten? And who―or what―is this fearsome creature exactly? The answer to that question, I’m afraid, is totally . . . adorable.

Genres: Picture Books, Monsters, Storytime, Childrens, Friendship, Humor, Dogs

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 19, 2022

Reviews

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Im wondering if there was a miscommunication between the author's intention and the illustrator's interpretation. I think the concept is very clever, but I feel the art confused things a bit.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute and interactive, with a "monster" (puppy) eating certain words out of the book. I was a bit confused when the words started disappearing because I hadn't followed clearly when the set list of words was being laid out earlier in the book, but I think if a storyteller made sure to point that out then it would be easy to follow. It's funny that the "people" are actually monsters and the "monster" is actually a puppy, haha.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very funny book about a monster that wakes up and eats the words in the book. This would make a great storytime book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because there's a monster in this book, the narrator (a cute little monster) is explaining the rules to the reader, rules that should keep the monster asleep. When he accidentally breaks the rule to be quiet, the monster wakes up and begins eating words. That part is subtle and I missed it on the first read. If you are reading this to a group, make sure you point it out the first time a word disappears! That will make the story fun instead of confusing. Even though there's most definitely better monster books out there, overall I enjoyed this book and I recommend it to preschool monster fans everywhere!

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun book with a clever twist! As you read the book you encounter a group of monsters - and they have a very different agenda besides reading! This book will really encourage small children to look deeper into writing and choice of words. The twists are very innovative, sure to 'perk' the interest of young readers!

[DC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book to share with a child (ideally under 7 years old)! This book has wonderful, colorful pictures of little monsters paired with lots of fun words. There is lots of opportunity to make this a fun read-aloud book with young children.

Cuddle up with a youngster and have a fun time reading this aloud!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The eaten word font was my favorite.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uh... I guess young kids would probably find this funny.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a well-thought-out plot. Anna and I read it together and were less than enthralled. Kind of a lame book.

[Melissa the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those books that is *almost* funny. It didn't quite hit all the right notes for me, but kids who enjoy interactive books will probably like it.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t land for me, a bit clunky/ confused.

[Josh Peatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

K-1 probably best for this read

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sort of clever idea, but the illustrations do not serve it well at all. It was more confusing than it had to be.

[Abby Nall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Not my favorite of the monster meta-picture book genre, though. There's A Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher is more fun and interactive.

[Anne with Violets · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea of a letter-eating monster and the reader's response to defeat it is fun. I think it could have been a really cool picture book if it had been presented more effectively.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book based on the title but it was not a hit with the kids. They found it boring and the monster reveal at the end was just anticlimactic.

[Tracy Mabry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fun for Storytime as well as the Country Estates first grade field trip!

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of interactive, silly stories will love this one! It might be better for smaller groups or a one on one read to get the full impact of the smaller details in the pictures.