The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber

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The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber and illustrated by Kirstie Edmunds starts with an acrostic poem defining monsters: M for Mean, O for Observant, etc. However, one day, a monster loses his “M” for mean, and he struggles to find his place in the monster community. Now downgraded to an “Onster,” he is banished.

Pretty soon, Onster finds a place in a new community, with kids, and no matter what he tries, he can’t seem to bring the “mean” back into his life. In the end, what other people think doesn’t matter. As a monster story, it is delightful; as a “find yourself” story, where a child may recognize that giving in to the group is not always the best solution, it is perfect. Finally, although it’s written in rhyme, it’s so well done that it is never awkward and barely noticeable: it simply flows as a wonderful read-aloud. My son and I liked rereading this many times.

Reviewed on November 9, 2012

About the author 

Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid is a homeschooling, stay-at-home mother seeking to make the journey of life-long learning fun by reading lots of good books. Rebecca Reads provides reviews of children's literature she has enjoyed with her children; nonfiction that enhances understanding of educational philosophies, history and more; and classical literature that Rebecca enjoys reading.

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