You're not my monster!
#2 of 9 in Halloween Books for Little Monsters Series
on Goodreads (586)
What’s inside...
When little Dan started to sleep on his own, his parents were proud of how much he’d grown. They gave him a monster, a sweet little doll, to prove to the world that he was not scared at all. This poem illustrates how parents can help their children overcome their fears by providing them with comfort and support.
Discussion points
What differences did you notice between the boy’s monster and the other monsters?
How did the boy feel when he realized the monster under his bed wasn't his? Why do you think he felt that way?
What would you do if you met a monster under your bed? How would you make friends with it?
Why do you think monsters are often shown as scary? Can monsters be nice?
How did the boy and the monster help each other in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Ask open-ended questions that tap into the child's imagination and emotional reasoning, promoting empathy and understanding.
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about monsters, addressing any fears directly with reassuring dialogue.
Relate the story's scenarios to real-life situations to help the child understand the emotional layers of the characters.
Use expressive reading techniques, altering your voice for different characters to make the story more engaging and immersive for your child.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their imaginary monster and discuss how they would interact with it, using the story's themes as a guide.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Facing fears
Explanation: The story shows the child facing their fear of the dark and the monsters that they imagine live in it. By confronting these 'monsters', the child learns to overcome their fears.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by facing their own fears, whether it's fear of the dark, starting a new school, or trying new activities.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The main character in the book uses creative thinking and problem-solving skills to deal with the monsters. This demonstrates a proactive approach to facing issues.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when they encounter problems and to view challenges as opportunities to learn.
Example Lesson: Understanding emotions
Explanation: The book portrays various emotions experienced by the child, including fear, bravery, and relief. It helps children understand and label their own emotions.
Real-World Application: Children can better manage their emotions in real-life situations by recognizing and naming what they feel, thereby improving their emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As the child interprets the monsters' actions and understands their feelings, they learn to empathize with others who might seem different.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children develop empathy towards classmates or friends who might behave differently or come from different backgrounds.
Example Lesson: Imagination
Explanation: The child's interactions with the imaginary monsters highlight the power of imagination to transform perception and reality.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination not only for play but as a tool to overcome real-world issues and fears.