Review: The Monster At The End of This Book

This is one of my very favoritest children's books, although I didn't discover it until I was an adult. I bought this book in my twenties, anticipating the fun I would have reading it to my children someday.

This book was meant to be read aloud, and you don't have to have a funny sounding voice, but you will need to overact in some parts to 'sell' the story. My husband made an extra special effort to imitate Grover's voice from the Sesame Street television show, but I used my own voice and Zane was still entertained.

The main character of the book is "lovable, furry, old Grover", a very familiar sight to kids and adults who watch(ed) Sesame Street. Grover has a problem: he is very anxious and fearful about something, and he needs the reader's help to avoid having to face what is scaring him. I like how the book "invites" the reader into the story. Grover is very serious in asking the person reading the book not to turn any pages. I appreciated Grover's many attempts to prevent the reader from turning pages as well as his comments regarding the resulting mess.

The book is funny and endearing and wonderful, and as you get to the last page there is a chance to talk to your child about things that might make them anxious or afraid. Talking about what scares them with a parent can help a child 'face' their fears in a safe manner, and I like that.