The Monster Who Lost His Mean

#BOOKREVIEW
CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW AS A WRITER AND A READER

Title: The Monster Who Lost His Mean
Author: Tiffany Strelitz Haber
Illustrator: Kirstie Edmunds
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Target Audience: 5–8-Year-Old

To teach children, speak their language. As adults, we know that monsters are imaginary, but for children, they are real. Tiffany Strelitz Haber used an imaginary character to catch the attention of readers to share an important lesson: not to be mean to anyone. Using these scary creatures was a huge risk, as some kids are afraid of scary characters, and parents are cautious in picking up books that can make children uncomfortable. But Tiffany is a risk taker by nature. She loves being high in the air and deep under the sea. She will taste anything served to her. Her personality serves her in making bold moves.

Through one book, she teaches multiple things (again, a bold move):   

• Being Mean
• Bullying
• Acceptance
• Identity crisis
• Even grammar—like adjectives is taught playfully through an acronym

The book begins with an acronym describing the personality of the monster.

M – Mean,
O – Observant,
N – Noisy,
S – Super Strong,
T – Tough to please,
E – Envious,
R – Remarkable

The use of descriptive words is a playful method to build vocabulary in children while enhancing their creativity. 

The story shows the transition of a Monster from being mean to people to behaving nicely to them. The author didn’t waste any pages in explaining how Monster lost his M-Mean and became Onster. She quickly shifts the reader’s attention to the transformation in Onster’s life. After Onster lost his M, he was no longer accepted by his tribe of scary, hairy group. The bullying and teasing forced Onster to leave his community Monsterhood.

Without his M, Onster felt lost as he said – Without my M, I’m not myself- I’m someone else instead.”

The identity crisis led him to find a new way of living. As he lost his mean, he decided to be kind to human kids and play with them. When monsters made fun of him, he felt lost and wanted to go back and do things that monsters do. But without his meanness, he couldn’t help but be kind.

Onster is lost between two worlds and is struggling to find acceptance. Which side does he belong? And how does he find acceptance?

It’s a great book to help children struggling with bullying or fitting in, esp those who moved into a new school, city or country.

Also, children scared of monsters can rest their fears by knowing that monsters could be their friends too.

In summary, Tiffany Strelitz Haber’s bold storytelling invites children into a world where kindness trumps cruelty, and monsters are more than just being scary.

Finally, The Monster Who Lost His Mean is perfect for classroom discussions or bedtime conversations about empathy, identity, and belonging.

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