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singem1's review
5.0
Through amazing artwork and a cute story, follow a child’s journey to create their ultimate “Monsterpiece.” My Monsterpiece is a colorfully illustrated, fun and hilarious story about a child just trying to get a scare out of someone in their family.
In this book, follow a young child as they create some of the most imaginative monsters to share with their family members to try and get a scare out of them. Unfortunately for the young child, their family do not see the monsters as monsters, but as other animals, creatures, or magical beings. This does not make the child happy so with each let down, they come back with more determination and an even more creative monster.
I found the frustration of the child cute as it reminded me of my own young children when they create artwork that I, as an adult, do not entirely understand or see in the same way they do. One of the reasons why I often ask them to “tell me about your art!” Luckily, the child does not let this get them down and they continue to create their monsters with the monsters becoming more and more colorful and imaginative each time.
Eventually, the child comes to the realization that monsters do not need to be scary to be fun or enjoyable for others and themselves. They begin to create monsters representing each person in their family who did not understand their original monsterpieces. One monster enjoys cookies like mom, another popcorn for dad, a monster like their sister who loves to color and more. Also, the child wonders what if there is a monster out in the world who loves to make scary things as much as they do? Would this monster make pictures of a scary kid? Maybe the monster would realize something like what the young child does? Does the child eventually create their Monsterpiece? You should read and find out.
I will say it again, I can not get over the illustrations in My Monsterpiece. They blew my mind. Full of color, they literally were children’s art projects on the page and looked as though I could grab them straight out of the page. My children adored the pictures and even wanted to try and create some of the monsters on their own. Which I think would be a perfect activity to go along with this super fun and cute book.
My Monsterpiece is set to release February 23, 2021. I give it five stars because it is a well thought out idea and story with some fantastic illustrations.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
In this book, follow a young child as they create some of the most imaginative monsters to share with their family members to try and get a scare out of them. Unfortunately for the young child, their family do not see the monsters as monsters, but as other animals, creatures, or magical beings. This does not make the child happy so with each let down, they come back with more determination and an even more creative monster.
I found the frustration of the child cute as it reminded me of my own young children when they create artwork that I, as an adult, do not entirely understand or see in the same way they do. One of the reasons why I often ask them to “tell me about your art!” Luckily, the child does not let this get them down and they continue to create their monsters with the monsters becoming more and more colorful and imaginative each time.
Eventually, the child comes to the realization that monsters do not need to be scary to be fun or enjoyable for others and themselves. They begin to create monsters representing each person in their family who did not understand their original monsterpieces. One monster enjoys cookies like mom, another popcorn for dad, a monster like their sister who loves to color and more. Also, the child wonders what if there is a monster out in the world who loves to make scary things as much as they do? Would this monster make pictures of a scary kid? Maybe the monster would realize something like what the young child does? Does the child eventually create their Monsterpiece? You should read and find out.
I will say it again, I can not get over the illustrations in My Monsterpiece. They blew my mind. Full of color, they literally were children’s art projects on the page and looked as though I could grab them straight out of the page. My children adored the pictures and even wanted to try and create some of the monsters on their own. Which I think would be a perfect activity to go along with this super fun and cute book.
My Monsterpiece is set to release February 23, 2021. I give it five stars because it is a well thought out idea and story with some fantastic illustrations.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
marzipan9's review
5.0
This was an adorable book about a kid trying to scare their family with pictures of scary monsters...only for the family to them how cute all of the drawings are. So the kid imagines what would happen if a monster tried to do the same thing, and failed the scare their family with pictures of scary children.
The art is collage style and my kids loved it! The colors are bright and fun, and the monsters both fit the scary and cute descriptions given.
This was a great book, and I highly recommend it! My kids had a blast reading it with me (and the 6 year old read it to us!)
*I received this from NetGalley as an advanced copy to read and review
The art is collage style and my kids loved it! The colors are bright and fun, and the monsters both fit the scary and cute descriptions given.
This was a great book, and I highly recommend it! My kids had a blast reading it with me (and the 6 year old read it to us!)
*I received this from NetGalley as an advanced copy to read and review
annieb123's review
5.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
My Monsterpiece is an adorable illustrated story aimed at preschool to young readers. Due out 2nd March 2021 from Yeehoo Press, it's 40 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
This is a beautifully illustrated little book which will provide hours of inspiration for art and discussion. The youngest readers will enjoy the cute pictures and story (with ample scope for different silly voices and faces) as well as providing lots of good prompts for art practice. Older kids will appreciate the message of understanding and the subjectivity of art interpretation and experiencing art.
I loved that the art is in lots of styles as well as being made with different media - found objects, collage, paint, drawing, papercrafts, and more. This would be a superlative selection for library or classroom acquisition as well as home library. Five stars. Lots of good takeaways here.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
My Monsterpiece is an adorable illustrated story aimed at preschool to young readers. Due out 2nd March 2021 from Yeehoo Press, it's 40 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
This is a beautifully illustrated little book which will provide hours of inspiration for art and discussion. The youngest readers will enjoy the cute pictures and story (with ample scope for different silly voices and faces) as well as providing lots of good prompts for art practice. Older kids will appreciate the message of understanding and the subjectivity of art interpretation and experiencing art.
I loved that the art is in lots of styles as well as being made with different media - found objects, collage, paint, drawing, papercrafts, and more. This would be a superlative selection for library or classroom acquisition as well as home library. Five stars. Lots of good takeaways here.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
bonniereads777's review
4.0
My Monsterpiece is a cute kid's story about a child trying to draw a scary monster and coming to the conclusion that "scary" is in the eye of the beholder. The illustrations are perfect for the story, as they are childlike and bursting with color.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
curiouskatreads's review
5.0
I don't normally review children's books here, which is kind of ironic since my job is teaching reading skills to young children! I saw this one on NetGalley and couldn't resist.
This charming children's book by Amalia Hoffman is about a boy who wants to draw a scary monster masterpiece - or as he calls it a "monsterpiece" - to scare his mom, dad, sister and best friend. The only problem with his plan is that no matter which version of monster he tries to scare someone with, everyone thinks it's cute or funny! The sharp teeth, long green tongue, pointy horns, claws ... none of them bring anything other than a smile or laugh.
Well this leads him to an epiphany: What if monsters don't have to be scary? What if they like the same things we do?
Or maybe ...
What if they think WE'RE scary and want to draw pictures of US to scare their family and friends? And what if they decide we don't have to be scary either?
If I showed the kids at school this story with monsters and brightly colored pictures, they'd eat it up! You can never go wrong with monsters (despite every parent needing to check under their kids' beds for them). Luckily, this story also teaches a valuable lesson about inclusivity and friendship, and about overcoming our assumptions and biases about those who are different.
Hoffman's mixed media, hand-drawn cutout monsters really are quite cute. If my own kids were still young and had drawn those, they'd be hanging on my refrigerator bringing a smile to my face too.
★★★★★
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. It's due to be published March 2, 2021.
This charming children's book by Amalia Hoffman is about a boy who wants to draw a scary monster masterpiece - or as he calls it a "monsterpiece" - to scare his mom, dad, sister and best friend. The only problem with his plan is that no matter which version of monster he tries to scare someone with, everyone thinks it's cute or funny! The sharp teeth, long green tongue, pointy horns, claws ... none of them bring anything other than a smile or laugh.
Well this leads him to an epiphany: What if monsters don't have to be scary? What if they like the same things we do?
Or maybe ...
What if they think WE'RE scary and want to draw pictures of US to scare their family and friends? And what if they decide we don't have to be scary either?
If I showed the kids at school this story with monsters and brightly colored pictures, they'd eat it up! You can never go wrong with monsters (despite every parent needing to check under their kids' beds for them). Luckily, this story also teaches a valuable lesson about inclusivity and friendship, and about overcoming our assumptions and biases about those who are different.
Hoffman's mixed media, hand-drawn cutout monsters really are quite cute. If my own kids were still young and had drawn those, they'd be hanging on my refrigerator bringing a smile to my face too.
★★★★★
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. It's due to be published March 2, 2021.
ljrinaldi's review
4.0
What is a monster? Who says something is a monster? In this charming picture book, a child tries to create scary monsters, only to have their parents and their siblings see them as non-threatening things. This makes the child wonder what Monsters think of them, and perhaps that a child is the most scary thing of all for a monster. The artwork is delightful. The child's way of thinking a treat. It is a fun book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
openmypages's review
5.0
This is a fun mixed-media piece that is meant to teach children... and maybe all of us... that the expectations we have about the world around us might not be as you think they are. What if the preconceived notions you have can be turned on their head?
This short, colorful, creative book tells the story of a child trying to create a scary monster but doesn't quite succeed. But the lessons learned along the way are really cute and exactly what I'd want to have on hand for my nephew.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This short, colorful, creative book tells the story of a child trying to create a scary monster but doesn't quite succeed. But the lessons learned along the way are really cute and exactly what I'd want to have on hand for my nephew.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
tsunanisaurus's review
5.0
In this story, an unseen narrator is on a mission to craft the scariest monsters to frighten their family and friends. The narrator finds that everyone views their creations as adorable and silly. She begins thinking about if monsters craft scary kids and what could happen if they all start to embrace the silliness and love and explore the possibilities.
It takes a lot to get me visibly excited about a new children's book. Have an extremely voracious reader for a child has exposed me to an endless flow of kid's books. While so many are quite good and lovely, few are memorably downright delightful. My Monsterpiece is exactly that. Right out of the gate, it's colorful but not too loud and the story moves a quick and fun pace. My 4.5 year old had hearts in her eyes while we read it, she kept thanking me for getting it for her because she loved it so much.
The book is constructed with mixed media and that is almost always an automatic win to my heart because it makes the book appear textured, which builds a more realistic engagement between my kiddo and the story. By the end of the story, she was chomping at the bit for us to make our own "scary" arts and crafts monsters. I love that it inspired a desire for creativity in my child. We will absolutely be purchasing a physical copy to experience it. I would recommend this one for ages 3-8, it's got a little something for all the littles.
My Mastercrafter Monster Loving Sidekick's Opinion: "EVERY SINGLE PART OF THIS BOOK IS MY FAVORITE. ALL THE PAGES!! It looks like the same as Pinkalicious [mixed media artwork] and it is the coolest, all the monsters are so pretty. I really like the beginning pages too! [the endpaper doodle designs on the inside of the covers]."
[bc:My Monsterpiece|55348976|My Monsterpiece|Amalia Hoffman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600226294l/55348976._SX50_.jpg|86318871]
My rating: ★★★★★
My child's rating: (✿ ♥‿♥)
Thank you to NetGalley and Yeehoo Press for providing us with a free digital copy in exchange for our honest review and opinion
It takes a lot to get me visibly excited about a new children's book. Have an extremely voracious reader for a child has exposed me to an endless flow of kid's books. While so many are quite good and lovely, few are memorably downright delightful. My Monsterpiece is exactly that. Right out of the gate, it's colorful but not too loud and the story moves a quick and fun pace. My 4.5 year old had hearts in her eyes while we read it, she kept thanking me for getting it for her because she loved it so much.
The book is constructed with mixed media and that is almost always an automatic win to my heart because it makes the book appear textured, which builds a more realistic engagement between my kiddo and the story. By the end of the story, she was chomping at the bit for us to make our own "scary" arts and crafts monsters. I love that it inspired a desire for creativity in my child. We will absolutely be purchasing a physical copy to experience it. I would recommend this one for ages 3-8, it's got a little something for all the littles.
My Mastercrafter Monster Loving Sidekick's Opinion: "EVERY SINGLE PART OF THIS BOOK IS MY FAVORITE. ALL THE PAGES!! It looks like the same as Pinkalicious [mixed media artwork] and it is the coolest, all the monsters are so pretty. I really like the beginning pages too! [the endpaper doodle designs on the inside of the covers]."
[bc:My Monsterpiece|55348976|My Monsterpiece|Amalia Hoffman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600226294l/55348976._SX50_.jpg|86318871]
My rating: ★★★★★
My child's rating: (✿ ♥‿♥)
Thank you to NetGalley and Yeehoo Press for providing us with a free digital copy in exchange for our honest review and opinion
raena_reads's review
5.0
Lovely book about a kid who is trying to make scary monsters so scare his family but they just find the pictures cute. Beautiful and vibrate illustrations. My children loved it and went to make their own monsters soon after reading.