All the World
Ages 2 to 5Selected for the parent’s life-lessons list.
Recommended by Pragmatic Mom
Ages 3 to 6The Monsters’ Monster
Ages 3 to 6About this age guidance
Kirkus: 3–6; Publishers Weekly: 3–6; parent blog: 3–7
The age tag follows Kirkus review. Other sources may suggest different ages. This is audience guidance, not an independent reading level.
A parent blogger calls it a funny monster book with heart, aimed at ages 3 to 7. She says three grumpy little monsters build a bigger one, and by the end of the book they find their manners and say their first thank yous.
Three grumpy little monsters build a giant monster to be the baddest of all. He comes to life gentle and polite, with “Dank you” as his first words. He makes friends, brings back doughnuts, and ends up with the three of them on a beach at sunrise, where they learn to say thank you too.
Good forSaying thank you
Recommended by What to Read to Your Kids
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What children see in the story
The made monster says “Dank you” for everything, and by the end of the sunrise doughnut breakfast the three grumpy monsters say thank you too. The new monster hugs the little monsters and walks to town to bring them doughnuts, and his steady kindness is what changes them.
Why it’s on these shelves
- Gratitude
- The monster the three grumpy monsters build says “Dank you!” as his first words and keeps saying it. By the sunrise doughnut breakfast, Grouch, Grump and Gloom ’n’ Doom smile and say thank you themselves.
- Kindness
- The monster built to be the baddest turns out gentle. He hugs Grouch, Grump and Gloom ’n’ Doom and walks to town to fetch them doughnuts, and his kindness slowly turns the grumpy trio sunny.
Why pick it up?
The three monsters change by being on the receiving end of the new monster’s manners, and the book ends sunny and shared.
A note for parents
The opening has tantrums and smashing (monster comic style); the parent blog notes children will see themselves in it. The monsters are comic, not frightening; PW says the book also works for Halloween. Gratitude is modeled by the made monster and learned by the three, and the story does not announce a lesson.
Where this recommendation comes from
What to Read to Your Kids
A parent blogger calls it a funny monster book with heart, aimed at ages 3 to 7. She says three grumpy little monsters build a bigger one, and by the end of the book they find their manners and say their first thank yous.
Read thebookmommy’s recommendationSources and review status
We have checked source descriptions and drafted the value mapping. We have not personally reviewed the full book. The value labels, situation assignments, and parent notes remain provisional.
Publisher or literacy resource · Original recommendation
Our explanation of the value fit is separate from the original reviewer’s judgment. Their inclusion here does not imply an endorsement of Stories for Growing.
Another good example
Browse more values
Bear Says Thanks
Ages 3 to 7Included in a librarian’s gratitude read-alouds for preschool and kindergarten. She says Bear wants to feast but his cupboard is empty, and each friend brings food while he worries he has nothing to give.
Recommended by Children’s Library Lady