Kids Monster Book List + Craft And Activity Suggestions
Monster don’t have to be scary! They make such lovable story characters and a fun theme to explore with kids. Whether you’re looking for M is for Monster activities, a cute bedtime story, or a funny read aloud, this list of kids monster books will show your little ones just how lovable they can be!
Must Read Children’s Monster Books
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This list includes books about monsters that can be read all year long. Some are silly and fun while others tackles struggles kids go through such as being scared.
They make cute bedtime stories and are so lovable that you may just want to make a craft inspired by the characters from the book. We have included craft suggestions and activities to check out based on each monster story.
Today I’m a Monster
“A cute story with a great and important message – explains that angry feelings come and go and doing bad things doesn’t make you bad. A story is a good way to help children first recognize feelings and learn to treat each other better as well as be more tolerating. Teaches us all that love and understanding make the difference and showers the power of a mother’s love -it will deeply touch a mother’s heart.”
Check out these free printable monster feelings match up cards as a simple book related activity!
Love Monster
“Love Monster is a slightly hairy monster trying to fit in with the cuddly residents of Cutesville. But as it turns out, it’s hard to fit in with the cute and the fluffy when you’re a googly-eyed monster. And so, Love Monster sets out to find someone who will love him just the way he is. His journey is not easy―he looks high, low, and even middle-ish. But as he soon finds out, in the blink of a googly eye, love can find you when you least expect it.”
An absolute must read around Valentine’s Day. My kids enjoy the whole series!
Make an adorable matching puppet to use while reading the book.
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.”
Book-related ideas: I Need My Monster – Lots of ideas!
Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters
“Creep, gurgle, crawl, tumble! Meet two young monsters who are far from scary – they’re too busy having fun. They go to school, play outside with their friends, and eat after-school snacks. But they also have a bedtime, whether or not they’re ready for it! Young children and parents alike will find much to identify with as they follow these lovable little monsters getting ready for bed. With wildly colorful illustrations full of whimsy and warmth, Kelly Murphy brings Jane Yolen’s gently rhyming tale to rambunctious life.”
Activity idea: invitation to make paper monsters!
The Little Shop of Monsters
“Welcome to the Little Shop of Monsters! Do you want a SNEEZER? A TICKLER? Or one of the CREEPIEST monsters of all? Come on in and choose your favorite, if you dare (before one of them chooses YOU!)”
Here’s a simple craft that kids as young as toddler aged can make but still fun for older kids too!
Monsters Don’t Eat Broccoli
“In this rollicking picture book written by Barbara Jean Hicks and illustrated by Sue Hendra, monsters insist they don’t like broccoli. They’d rather snack on tractors or a rocket ship or two, or tender trailer tidbits, or a wheely, steely stew. But boy do those trees they’re munching on look an awful lot like broccoli. Maybe vegetables aren’t so bad after all!”
For fun, make an apple monster!
There’s a Monster in Your Book
“Shake, wiggle, and tickle the monster out of this book—an interactive bedtime read-aloud by a YouTube star, musician, and children’s book author! With the irresistible pull of Hervé Tullet’s Press Here and the charm of The Monster at the End of This Book, Tom Fletcher’s inviting interactive read-aloud will have kids tilting, spinning, and shaking the book to get the adorable little monster out! That’s right! He’s out of the book . . . and in their room somewhere. Uh-oh!!”
I love this silly monster headband craft idea! It makes a cute activity to make before or after reading the fun story.
Tickle Monster
“A lovable monster has just flown in from Planet Tickle on a mission is to tickle any child who happens to be following along with the Tickle Monster book. Parents read aloud and do the tickling, while children laugh and squirm with delight.”
Add to story time with a cute monster handprint craft!
How to Catch a Monster
“Get ready to laugh as a young ninja heads into the closet to meet the monster that’s been so scary night after night! But what if things aren’t what they seem and our monster isn’t scary at all? What if our ninja hero is about to make a friend of strangest sort? If you dare to travel beyond the closet door and into the land of the monsters… you might just find the very best reward of all. But with robots, lava pie, and a smattering of traps―catching monsters is no easy business!”
Kids will love this cute paper monster craft that has a free template for you to print!
Kids Monster Book And Activity Suggestions
The Sad Sad Monster
“A sad monster is sad at school. He is sad because he doesn’t have any friends. Is there someone who can make him happy? The Sad, Sad Monster is a cute book for monster-loving toddlers through beginning readers. Simple sentences make this a perfect first reader.”
I love this monstrous emotions flap book! Print it here.
Marilyn’s Monster
“Some of the kids in Marilyn’s class have monsters. Marilyn doesn’t have hers yet, but she can’t just go out and look for one. Your monster has to find you. That’s just the way it works. Marilyn tries to be patient and the kind of girl no monster can resist, but her monster doesn’t come. Could she go out and search for him herself? Even if that’s not the way it works? From favorite picture-book creators Michelle Knudsen and Matt Phelan comes a story about one little girl and the perfect monster she knows is out there . . . and what happens when she decides she’s waited long enough.”
Here’s a simple, yet cute create-a-monster craft to make after reading the book!
The Gruffalo
“A mouse is taking a stroll through the deep, dark wood when along comes a hungry fox, then an owl, and then a snake. The mouse is good enough to eat but smart enough to know this, so he invents . . . the gruffalo! As Mouse explains, the gruffalo is a creature with terrible claws, and terrible tusks in its terrible jaws, and knobbly knees and turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of its nose. But Mouse has no worry to show. After all, there’s no such thing as a gruffalo. . . .”
Make character spoon puppets for retelling the story!
Never Touch a Monster
“You must never touch a monster . . . except in this book! This monster-themed, touch-and-feel book is perfect for young children! Children will love reading the funny rhyme that tells them the dangers of touching a monster–and then ignoring the advice! Amazing silicone touches are featured throughout, each with a different texture for children to explore. This tactile book offers plenty for young children to enjoy, helping to promote an early love of reading!”
Make playdough monsters – a fun, open-ended activity for all ages!
How to Catch a Monster
“Eric hates taking a bath. Eric hates brushing his teeth. Eric hates putting on his pajamas. Let’s face it, Eric hates getting ready for bed. Thankfully, Eric’s mom and dad have the perfect plan to help their little boy. Find out what a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a monster has to do with it. How to catch a monster is a fun and beautifully illustrated book with a surprisingly sweet ending that all readers will surely enjoy. this charming children’s story that is sure to become a favorite.”
Here is a free printable for kids to plan out how they will catch a monster plus a fun craft and bulletin board idea for the classroom!
Nighty Night, Little Green Monster
“Children will love this monstrously fun story, featuring die-cuts on every spread. With each turn of the page, readers reveal Little Green Monster’s little yellow eyes, his little red mouth, and even a cute, tiny white monster tooth. Then, when the stars begin to appear, it’s time for bed… so, nighty night, little yellow eyes. Nighty night, little red mouth. Nighty night, cute little white tooth. Sweet dreams!”
We also love Go Away, Big Green Monster which is perfect for showing kids who are scared that they are in charge. Check out our growing and shrinking balloon monster experiment!
Goodnight, Little Monster
“Little Monster needs to get ready for bed. That means howling at the moon, scrubbing his scales, getting into his creepy PJs, and enjoying a nice snack before bed: worm juice and baked beetle bread. And, of course, Little Monster’s mother is nearby to tuck Little Monster into bed and turn on his night-light—because even little monsters can be afraid of the dark. Bonnie Leick’s soft, child-friendly illustrations rendered in watercolor bring a new and quiet twist to the evening’s bedtime ritual. Sweet dreams, Little Monster!”
Make a glove monster softie to sleep nearby!
Love Monster and the Last Chocolate
“When Love Monster comes home from vacation, he discovers a box of chocolates on his doorstep. He knows he should share it with his friends, but what if there’s none left for him after everyone has a piece? What if they take his favorite-the double chocolate strawberry swirl? And even worse-what if the only piece left is the coffee-flavored one? Ick! In the end, Love Monster learns that sharing with friends is the sweetest treat of all.”
I adore these pom pom love monsters made from yarn!
Quit Calling Me a Monster!
“Floyd Peterson is so much more than shaggy purple fur and pointy monster teeth — why can’t people just see him for him? Jory John and Bob Shea have struck gold in creating a knee-slapping, read-it-again story that will start a valuable discussion about how we treat others and how it feels to be seen as different.”
As a fun book inspired activity, make this purple monster floam to play with!
Nessie the Loch Ness Monster
“Millions of years ago, the northern tip of Scotland was a separate island, until it crashed into the mainland. The prehistoric sea monsters rushed to escape … all except for Nessie! Ever since, people have claimed to see her as vehemently as others have denied her existence. And there have been some crazed and cunning plans to trap this elusive creature. What are the facts and what is only legend? With humor and historical accuracy, Richard Brassey tells the irresistible tale for readers everywhere.”
Check out this free printable loch ness monster craft!
Go to School, Little Monster
“Little Monster is going to school for the very first time. That means he’ll be meeting all the other little monsters, including one who has really big teeth and draws scary pictures. Who will ride the ogres and dragons with Little Monster at recess, and listen with him during story time? And what happens when—gulp—Little Monster realizes he forgot his lunch? It’s a good thing Mr. Drool is there to guide Little Monster the whole day through. Helen Ketteman’s soothing rhymes and Bonnie Leick’s sweet watercolor illustrations combine to create a reassuring first-day-of-school story that’s perfect for little monsters everywhere.”
Get little ones ready for school with these adorable printable monster math cards!
Check out our review of Jonathon James and the Whatif Monster plus a fun fork painting idea to go along with it!
More Kids Book Lists:
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