I Need My Monster
Amanda Noll, Author
Howard McWilliam, Illustrator
Flash Light Press, Fiction, April 2009
Suitable for Ages: 5-8
Themes: Monsters, Night frights, Imagination, Friendship, Humor
Opening: “Tonight, when I looked under the bed for my monster, I found this note instead. Gone fishing. Back in a week – Gabe. What was I going to do? I needed a monster under by bed. How was I supposed to get to sleep if my monster was gone?” How will Ethan ever get to sleep without Gabe’s familiar noises, ragged breathing and his spooky green ooze? Ethan decides that he’s just going to have to find a replacement monster. He climbs out of bed and taps on the floor and hops back under the covers waiting in fear. Monsters begin to appear, but Herbert doesn’t have claws…Ralph wears nail polish on his claws…Cynthia is a girl…and Mack has a long, sloppy tongue. Ethan fires them all. How is Ethan ever going to get to sleep without his monster Gabe?
Why I like this book: Amanda Noll has written a humorous and original book for children about a boy missing the monster lurking beneath his bed at night. I love the power of Ethan’s imagination! What a great way to help kids turn their fears into laughter. This book is an entertaining read for both children and adults — one that will elicit growls and slurps as each character is acted out. It will certainly become a bedtime favorite begging to be read repeatedly. Howard McWilliam’s illustrations are bold and eye-popping. The illustrations are drawn by pencil on paper, and is painted with digital acrylic paint. The book is very large and adds to the appeal for kids. You may visit Amanda Noll on her website. I Need My Monster has won countless awards.
As of Dec. 9, 2012, I Need My Monster has become available as an interactive Children’s Book App.
Children's Books Heal 
A very fun book! Read it last year and gave me giggles all way through.
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I gave the book to my great-granddaughter for Christmas and she was all giggles. So, naturally I had to review it.
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How sweet. of course, we need our monster. And what a great way of encouraging children to acknowledge Shadow traits that are in us all! We all have monsters in us and befriending them is an essential aspect of growth. Hope I am not being too Jungian here!
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HA! HA! — you and I may think that way, but not everyone understands the symbolism. We all need our shadows to grow! Loved your comment!
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Glad to have tickled the forever Jung part of you!
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I love studying archetypes.
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I liked it as a book, I think I’d love it as an app!
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I was very impressed with the app! Kids would have so much fun with it!
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I’m going to have to get the app! One of the interesting things for booksellers like us to figure out is how to bring apps like that into our shops, promote them, and make a buck selling them (or maybe we sell the book and give the app away as a bonus).
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Well, you could download apps of your favorite books and have them available for customers to view. Michael Garland has a fun app he created with his book Icarus Swinebuckle, based on Greek myth. And, Julie Hedlund, (in our group) has designed a program for developing apps and will be publishing her first app soon called “A Troop is a Group of Monkeys.” You can check out her website at http://www.juliehedlund.com.
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This book sounds like so much fun. Love how the author took something common and turned it around. Very creative.
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Ruth, yes, I love the reverse psychology! And, it’s one of those books that you think, “now why didn’t I think of that.”
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I love this book! Great choice for review 🙂
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Susanna,
I bought it for my great-granddaghter for Christmas after seeing it reviewed for our PPBF. And, decided I wasn’t going to let it go without reviewing it too. I love the new app!
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Wonderful! I wish I had this book when my daughter’s imagination got the best of her at 2 am
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Toni, I wish I had this book as a child — I had a very active imagination at night! My poor father! Thank you for stoppng.
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This book sounds delightful! Must keep it in mind for some little ones.
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Darlene, it is a very entertaining book for both kids and adults. So much humor!
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Ralph wears nail polish! Hysterical! 😀
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Yeah, I thought it was pretty funny too.
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I’ve seen the cover but I don’t think I’ve read it. Looks good.
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Very entertaining book! Your kids would love it!
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Love a good monster book and that cover is great!
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It is a very entertaining book. I had fun with it. Good way to help kids deal with their fears.
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My elementary reading club and I loved this book! I Need My Monster was also deservedly nominated for a Golden Sower award.
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Allison, this is one of those books that you read and think, “now why didn’t I think about this story.” Gave it to my granddaughter for Christmas and she loved it.
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