I need my monster

A unique monster-under-the-bed story with the perfect balance of giggles and shivers, this picture book relies on the power of humor over fear, appeals to a child’s love for creatures both alarming and absurd, and glorifies the scope of a child’s imagination. One night, when Ethan checks under his bed for his monster, Gabe, he finds a note from him instead: "Gone fishing. Back in a week." Ethan knows that without Gabe’s familiar nightly scares he doesn't stand a chance of getting to sleep, so Ethan interviews potential substitutes to see if they've got the right equipment for the job—pointy teeth, sharp claws, and a long tail—but none of them proves scary enough for Ethan. When Gabe returns sooner than expected from his fishing trip, Ethan is thrilled. It turns out that Gabe didn't enjoy fishing because the fish scared too easily.

Paired Reading: A tall tale

This week we will be visiting Texas to learn more about the monument A Tall Tale.

Spelling Words

  1. light
  2. sight
  3. mind
  4. cry
  5. tie
  6. high
  7. wild
  8. dry
  9. try
  10. lie
  11. baby
  12. queen
  13. different
  14. number
  15. other

Vocabulary Words

ominous - suggesting that something is bad is going to happen

quivered - to move while shaking

complain - to express grief, pain, or discontent

appear - to come into sight

disappoint - to make someone unhappy by not doing something that was hoped for or expected

inspection - to look closely at something

Talking Points With Your Child:

  • What heroes live in your community?
  • What is the connection between all of the details in the selection?

FOCUS