Monster Needs To Go to School

PreS-Gr 1—Czajak and Grieb's newest installment in their series addresses the topic of first day of school jitters and playground bullying. After much convincing and reassurance from the school-age boy narrator, Monster agrees that he does have a lot to learn and gets on the bus to go to school with his human. In art, music, and French class, Monster proudly enjoys all that he is absorbing at school, even though he self-consciously stands out among classmates. Initially afraid of being teased by bullies himself, particularly because he's "blue and very hairy," Monster is able to stand up to his friends when they become the bullies. At recess Monster notices children teasing one another and he quickly speaks up: "I know we're friends, but teasing's wrong./It's something I despise./No one should be ridiculed. There is no compromise." Grieb's fun, animated, and bold illustrations are vivid and packed with detail for lively visual impact. However, the rhyming text, while playful and feel-good, is somewhat forced and uninspired. Further, the message about how to deal with bullies is handled in a quick and facile manner.