There’s a Monster in My Closet
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
This little boy has a lot to be frightened about. He is the only one who can see the big scary monster in his closet. Mom and dad search his room but no monster is around. Find out what makes him see a monster with big scary eyes every time the lights go out.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
29 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the child in the story felt when they first saw the monster? Why?
What do you think the monster represents in the story?
What would you do if you found a monster in your closet?
How did the child's feelings about the monster change throughout the book?
What can we learn about fear and bravery from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set a comfy and quiet reading environment to make your child feel safe while discussing the theme of monsters.
Show genuine interest in their responses to encourage more in-depth thinking and communication.
Relate the story to a personal story of overcoming fear, making it more relatable and engaging.
Ask follow-up questions based on their answers to the key questions to deepen the conversation and their understanding.
Praise their efforts to think critically about the story to boost their confidence in expressing their thoughts and feelings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Overcoming Fears
Explanation: In 'There’s a Monster in My Closet', the protagonist faces and overcomes the fear of the unknown represented by the monster in the closet.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to address their own fears, understanding that facing them can often reveal they aren’t as scary as imagined.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Friendship
Explanation: As the story progresses, the child protagonist befriends the monster, learning about its feelings and perspective.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of empathy and how understanding others can lead to friendships and better conflict resolution.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The child uses imaginative play to interact with the monster, turning a scary situation into a fun and creative one.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use their imagination to solve problems and transform potentially frightening scenarios into enjoyable experiences.
Example Lesson: Courage to Explore the Unknown
Explanation: The protagonist shows courage by deciding to investigate the source of their fear instead of avoiding it.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to explore new experiences and face new challenges, knowing that bravery can lead to positive outcomes.