The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone and Illustrated by Michael Smollin

I was in the library yesterday browsing the shelves for some read aloud inspiration for my students when I came upon this book. I loved this book when I was a little girl....I read it over and over again. I love that Grover is talking and interacting with the reader (very similar to the pigeon in Mo Willems' books). And of course the fact that he doesn't know that he is the monster is hiliarious to a young reader.

So, I checked the book out and sat down in my office for a nostalgic read of the book and couldn't wait to get it home to share with my daughter who is 5 and half years old.

Now, we (my husband and I) have been realising lately that our daughter is starting to read. I have made some comments that go something like "Wow, all of a sudden she is reading." "How did that happen so quickly?" etc. etc. Of course, the fact that she is now reading is the result of years of exposure to wonderful literature in print rich environments both at home and at school, a fantastic early childhood classroom experience and teacher, and lots and lots of good role modeling along the way. But knowing that she can read 'Pam has a can', The map is on the cat' is one thing but I just about fell off the bed when she picked up this book and read "The monster at the end of the this book" with fluency.....then she opened the book and started to read it! Actually read it! A book she had never seen before! I must say I am a proud mama!

This book has lots positive memories for me, as many of the Little Golden Books do. I am definitely ordering this one for a keeper.