Milo's Monster: A Big Bright Feelings Book
Big Bright Feelings Series
on Goodreads (326)
What’s inside...
Milo's Monster: A Big Bright Feelings Book by Tom Percival is a children's story that explores emotions and how to handle them. The book includes two narratives; one follows Milo, a young boy who encounters a monster representing his anger and frustration, while the other story deals with Milo feeling jealousy when a new girl moves next door to his best friend, Jay. Through these narratives, children learn about self-awareness and the importance of expressing their feelings in healthy ways. The book teaches that it's okay to feel angry or jealous, but it's crucial to find constructive methods to cope with those emotions. With vibrant illustrations, relatable situations, and themes promoting emotional intelligence and empathy, this book is designed to help children understand and manage their feelings, offering a springboard for discussing mental and emotional health, positive self-image, and building self-confidence.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Milo felt when he first met the monster, and why?
What are some ways Milo tried to handle his monster? Can you think of other ways he might have tried?
Why is it important to talk about our feelings, like Milo does in the story?
How did Milo's feelings change throughout the book and what caused those changes?
What would you do if you had a monster like Milo's? How would you make friends with it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about each scene, relating it to their personal experiences with emotions.
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to mimic the emotions of Milo and the monster to make the story more relatable.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child to guess what might happen next, fostering their predictive skills.
After reading, ask your child to draw their own 'monster' and discuss what feelings it might represent, deepening their understanding of emotional metaphors.
Link the story’s messages to real-life situations, asking your child how they might apply Milo’s lessons in their daily interactions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and managing emotions
Explanation: In 'Milo's Monster,' Milo confronts his monster, representing his anger and frustration. Through his interactions, he learns to manage these feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can use the techniques Milo learns to handle their feelings appropriately, helping them navigate social situations and personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: As Milo learns about his monster's feelings, he develops empathy towards it, understanding that it's not just there to scare him.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by acknowledging the feelings of others around them, fostering healthier and more supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: The importance of self-expression
Explanation: Milo expresses his feelings through conversations with his monster, which helps him understand and articulate his emotions better.
Real-World Application: Encouraging children to express themselves can lead to better emotional health and increased confidence.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Milo uses creative thinking and bravery to address the challenges posed by his monster, instead of avoiding them.
Real-World Application: Children learn that facing problems directly, rather than ignoring them, can be an effective strategy for resolving issues.
Example Lesson: Building resilience
Explanation: Throughout the book, Milo experiences setbacks but learns to overcome them, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that setbacks are a natural part of life and that they have the strength to recover and keep moving forward.