Friday, October 3, 2014

Monstergarten by Daniel J. Mahoney, Book Review



By: Daniel J. Mahoney
Illustrated by: Jef Kaminsky
Published by: Feiwel & Friends
Released on: 7.2.13
Ages: 4-6
Source: book from publisher to review
Rating: 3 Owlets - It's A Good Read
Purchase it from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

Patrick is worried about his first day of monstergarten. Everyone knows you have to be SCARY in monstergarten. Patrick’s friend, Kevin, offers to show Patrick how to be scary – they roar, they sneak up on people, they bare their teeth. But Patrick still isn’t ready. His parents tell him to just be himself. But what if he’s not scary ENOUGH?

It's Patrick's first day of Kindergarten. Like many kindergarteners on their first day of school, he's nervous and worried he won't be scary enough for school. All little Monsters are scary right? At least that's what he's been told, and now believes. Thankfully Patrick has his friend Kevin, and his family to help him, and calm his fears. After a little bit of research in a book, and a little bit of scaring practice with Kevin, Patrick soon realizes that he has nothing to worry about. He's fine just the way he is, and he'll have a lot of fun on his first day of school.

This was a fun read. This is a great book for Kindergarten teachers to read on the first day of school, as well as for parents too. The story itself is simple to read and easy for kids to understand, while at the same time they'll be able to relate to Little Monster, Patrick and his friend Kevin. The bright, bold colors in this book will definitely grab a young reader's attention. I think kids will appreciate a story about a cute little monster, whom like them, also has some fears and worries. Like them, he learns to over come them, and realizes he's great just the way he is, and that the first day of school is indeed a lot of fun, and nothing to be scared or worried about. 
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~