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My Friend the Monster
A lonely prince forms a satisfying though dangerous friendship with a monster.
75 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
42 people want to read
About the author
Clyde Robert Bulla
104 books100 followersBorn to be a Writer
Almost as far back as he can remember, Clyde Robert Bulla wanted to write. Born on a farm in a small town in Missouri, Mr. Bulla's first school was a one-room country schoolhouse. One day his teacher asked each first grade student what he or she would do with a thousand dollars. Young Clyde answered that he would buy a table. His classmates laughed heartily, and his teacher was puzzled. “What I really meant,” says Mr. Bulla, “is a desk or other flat surface on which to write my stories!”
First Stories
Mr. Bulla's first piece of writing was titled, “How Planets Were Born.” The ambitious opening sentence was, “One night old Mother Moon had a million babies.” All through school, Mr. Bulla continued to write stories mostly, but plays and poetry, too. After years of gathering editor's rejection slips, Mr. Bulla sold a magazine story, then several more. Soon after, Mr. Bulla wrote a novel and a publisher accepted it.
The Difficult Years
In the excitement of publishing a novel, Mr. Bulla wrote two more books. Unfortunately, no one wanted to publish them. His luck took a turn for the worse when the publisher of his first book went bankrupt. For several years, he worked at a local weekly newspaper where he struggled with linotype, kept books, collected bills, and wrote a weekly column.
Success!
A couple of Mr. Bulla's weekly columns caught the attention of a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote to Mr. Bulla, suggesting that he try writing a children's book. He immediately sent her a manuscript for a children's book he'd written a year before. Within one week, an editor of a New York publisher read the manuscript,and it was accepted. The book was The Donkey Cart, published in 1946. Since then, Mr. Bulla has written over twenty books for children, as well as the music for several children's song books.
About The Chalk Box Kid
“When I was young,” explains Mr. Bulla, “I sometimes found it hard to cope in new surroundings, and I was apt to get off on the wrong foot. This is the story of a boy who got off on the wrong foot in a new school and how he tried to cope.” In describing the chalk garden, Mr. Bulla says, “I gave Gregory something I've always wished for: a big, blank wall that I could cover with my own drawings.”
Almost as far back as he can remember, Clyde Robert Bulla wanted to write. Born on a farm in a small town in Missouri, Mr. Bulla's first school was a one-room country schoolhouse. One day his teacher asked each first grade student what he or she would do with a thousand dollars. Young Clyde answered that he would buy a table. His classmates laughed heartily, and his teacher was puzzled. “What I really meant,” says Mr. Bulla, “is a desk or other flat surface on which to write my stories!”
First Stories
Mr. Bulla's first piece of writing was titled, “How Planets Were Born.” The ambitious opening sentence was, “One night old Mother Moon had a million babies.” All through school, Mr. Bulla continued to write stories mostly, but plays and poetry, too. After years of gathering editor's rejection slips, Mr. Bulla sold a magazine story, then several more. Soon after, Mr. Bulla wrote a novel and a publisher accepted it.
The Difficult Years
In the excitement of publishing a novel, Mr. Bulla wrote two more books. Unfortunately, no one wanted to publish them. His luck took a turn for the worse when the publisher of his first book went bankrupt. For several years, he worked at a local weekly newspaper where he struggled with linotype, kept books, collected bills, and wrote a weekly column.
Success!
A couple of Mr. Bulla's weekly columns caught the attention of a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote to Mr. Bulla, suggesting that he try writing a children's book. He immediately sent her a manuscript for a children's book he'd written a year before. Within one week, an editor of a New York publisher read the manuscript,and it was accepted. The book was The Donkey Cart, published in 1946. Since then, Mr. Bulla has written over twenty books for children, as well as the music for several children's song books.
About The Chalk Box Kid
“When I was young,” explains Mr. Bulla, “I sometimes found it hard to cope in new surroundings, and I was apt to get off on the wrong foot. This is the story of a boy who got off on the wrong foot in a new school and how he tried to cope.” In describing the chalk garden, Mr. Bulla says, “I gave Gregory something I've always wished for: a big, blank wall that I could cover with my own drawings.”
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 31, 2023
4.5 stars. My kids really enjoyed this read aloud and did not want me to stop! A sweet and whimsical book.
May 8, 2012
Hal is a prince, but he is plain and apparently ordinary. His disappointed parents equip him with the trappings of royalty and isolate him, refusing to let him play with lesser children. On a rest-cure in the mountains Hal takes the opportunity to have an adventure and befriends, aids and eventually rescues a monster. Using simple language Bulla crafts an intriguing and moving story. Through the persons of a prince and a monster he explores the ugliness of prejudice and the blindness of superstition and snobbery. This is a remarkable sensitive and subtle book that explores complex topics in a simple and respectful way. With out being graphic, Bulla does not sugarcoat the unpleasant side of human nature and provides children real guidance in an arena they are likely to know well. Not only must they learn to do the right thing, they must learn how to manage others so that they are allowed to make the right choices. Like Hal, we can only marvel at the dimness of his parents, who need to believe in a spell to be assured that Hal is both wise and good.
February 8, 2017
Cute enough to read but not good enough to read again, catch my drift?
October 14, 2020
An ordinary prince runs into a monster and they have to save each other. This book is an early reader chapter book.
January 1, 2017
Bulla is a master of concise and exciting writing that grabs the attention and demands that you continue on to the next chapter. Just what you want for beginning novel readers.
July 16, 2014
A touching story of parental neglect and isolation leading to loneliness, friendship and compassion. With monsters. If George R. R. Martin had written it, it would have ended with blood and black magic. Sometimes, though, people arrive at good ends despite bad beginnings.
The artwork reminded me a lot of Maurice Sendak's work on Where the Wild Things Are, though this story is a bit more complex.
The artwork reminded me a lot of Maurice Sendak's work on Where the Wild Things Are, though this story is a bit more complex.
April 6, 2013
One of the nicest children stories I can recall having ever known. Found it at an antique shop and was turned on to it. The book is right up my alley, seeing as I'm still a six year old at heart, and that this fit in perfectly with my love for simplicity. This would make for a wonderful bed time story for a child. Short, easy to follow, and full of wholesome lessons.
October 30, 2021
I was read this seemingly obscure book in early elementary school and upon rereading it in adulthood it still seemed to hold up well. The illustrations are by the same illustrator as The Owlstone Crown, another neglected but enjoyable read.
September 20, 2011
it was ok 9\20\11;
December 4, 2011
I loved it, thought it was super awesome. Levi loved it too
July 11, 2012
The pictures scared the living daylights out of me as a child.
August 13, 2012
It was not a smart book, I didn't like it.
August 13, 2015
i loved it
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews