The Scariest Monster in the World
What’s inside...
Meet a terrifying monster with wild fur, a bristled club, and green, mossy teeth from never brushing. He stomps through the woods, scaring all the forest creatures away by shouting 'GET OUT OF MY WAY!' However, one day he gets the hiccups and can't get rid of them, leading him to wonder whether the other animals will help him or continue to avoid him. Young readers will enjoy this funny, well-illustrated story featuring a delightfully monstrous hero.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the monster was considered the scariest in the world?
How did your feelings about the monster change from the beginning to the end of the story?
What did the monster do to try to feel better? Can you think of other ways he might have solved his problem?
Why is it important to understand how someone else is feeling?
How can we help someone who is feeling scared or upset?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings about the book by validating their emotions and relating them to real life. Use expressive read-aloud techniques, changing your tone of voice to match the mood of the story, which can help children better grasp the emotional arc of the characters. After reading, connect the story's themes to the child's experiences by discussing similar emotions or situations they've faced, fostering deeper empathy and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Facing Fears
Explanation: The protagonist of the story faces a supposedly terrifying monster, only to find out that the monster was just as scared. This encounter teaches that often, fears are not as daunting once they are confronted.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to tackle their own fears, whether it's trying out for a school play, talking to new classmates, or sleeping alone in the dark, understanding that fear often lessens once faced.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: When the main character realizes that the monster is scared, they start to empathize with the monster rather than fearing it. This changes the dynamic from fear to friendship.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of empathy by understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can help in building friendships and resolving conflicts.
Example Lesson: Misconceptions About Appearances
Explanation: The story makes it clear that just because someone or something looks scary, doesn't mean they are to be feared. The monster's initially scary appearance is a facade covering its fear.
Real-World Application: Kids learn not to judge others based on appearances alone, promoting inclusiveness and open-mindedness in real-world interactions.
Example Lesson: The Power of Communication
Explanation: Communication plays a crucial role in the story as it helps both the monster and the child to understand each other’s fears and find common ground.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of talking about their feelings and problems, which can help in reducing misunderstandings and building stronger relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage to Seek Help
Explanation: The story illustrates that seeking help or talking to someone about your fears isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather a brave step towards overcoming them.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to express when they feel afraid or uneasy and to ask for support from parents, teachers, or friends.