[I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.  No other compensation was received.]

It is Monster’s birthday!  Whoo Hoo!  Now it is time to celebrate, but when Boy calls up all of Monster’s friends — they are disappointed that no one can come.  How sad! Fortunately, Boy has a great idea!  Maybe they can’t have the birthday party that Monster imagines, but they can go to Pirate Land!

Monster is understandably disappointed that he isn’t going to have a birthday party and he pouts a little. But soon both he and boy are having a blast in Blackbeard’s Bumper Cars, riding on the ferris wheel, zooming along on the roller coaster, getting sick on the mixer ride, and spooked on the haunted pirate ship!  Monster even wins the biggest prize of all, a huge, plush parrot, while playing a game of Blast Ye Barrels!

On their way home from Pirate Land, and after having a root beer float and candied apples, Monster admits that even though his birthday didn’t go like he thought it would, he still had a great time.  However, when they arrive home, there’s something spectacular waiting for him!  His birthday is everything he hopes it would be and more!

Recommended Ages 2 – 6. Mighty Media Press. April 14th, 2015. 32 pages. ISBN:978-1938063558 Fiction.

Where to Get it:

• [Affiliate Link] Amazon.com
• [Independent Bookstore] Indiebound.org
• [Library] Woldcat.org

You Should Read Monster Needs a Party because:

• Bright, animated illustrations make this picture book feel like you have just watched a movie.  While thinking back on this book, my son declared that he can see the pictures moving in his mind!
• The richly detailed background illustrations are wonderful and  worth taking your time to stop and take in.  There are some subtle details that will make you smile.
• The upbeat rhythm and easy, flowing rhymes make this book a blast to read to my eldest son.  It’s also a lot of fun to hear him effortlessly recite it back.
• It has a great lesson that even though things don’t go as Monster planned, he can still have a good time if he keeps an open mind.
• There’s also a good lesson that sometimes things are not always what they seem. It seems like all of his friends are too busy with something else, but is that really the case?
• My son was very concerned that none of Monster’s friends could come to his birthday party and he did not understand why.  This presented a good opportunity to talk with him about why planning ahead can be important.
• On the other hand, Monster Needs a Party presented a good opportunity to talk about the value of playing things by ear and letting them unfold naturally. Because it is pretty easy to see that their impromptu day turned out even better than if he had meticulously planned it.
• We’ve read and enjoyed all of Paul Czajak’s books!  This book is the fourth in a series — and what a great series of books it is!
• It’s fun!  It’s about two friends going to Pirate Land and having a great time.  This book is only good and happy things.

From Monster Needs a Party. Image Courtesy of Mighty Media Press.

From Monster Needs a Party. Image Courtesy of Mighty Media Press.

Author and Illustrator Websites:

• Author:  Paul Czajak
• Illustrator: Wendy Grieb
• Publisher: Mighty Media Press

More Reviews of this Book:

• Smart Books for Smart Kids
• Diapers and Daydreams

Where Obtained:  I received a review copy from the publisher. No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

FTC Disclosures:  Some of the links in the post above are Amazon affiliate links and others are IndieBound affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase something, I will receive an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Which goes to fund my family’s picture book habit.  It’s a vicious cycle, but we manage.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”