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This is a silly and interactive book that is basically an invitation to be loud, dramatic, and completely delighted. As the monster chomps through the pages, children realize they're part of the story. It builds early print concepts, humor, and cause-and-effect, all while being completely ridiculous in the best possible way.

Discussion Questions

• What is the monster eating? Can you point to it on the page?
• If YOU were a monster, what silly thing would you eat?
• What sounds do you think the monster makes when it chews?
• What do you think will happen if the monster eats the whole book?

Torn Paper Monster CollageTearing paper is great fine motor work. It strengthens the same tiny hand muscles kids need for writing. Your learner will tear colorful paper scraps and glue them onto a monster outline to "feed" it.

Supplies

• A simple monster outline (pdf file here or you can draw one yourself)
• Colorful construction paper
• Glue stick
• Crayons

Dollar store finds: construction paper packs and glue sticks are easy dollar store staples.

Steps

1. Start by looking at the book together and talking about what the monster is eating. Get your child hyped up about monsters!
2. Show your child how to tear paper by pinching with both thumbs and index fingers and pulling slowly. Let them practice on a scrap piece first.
3. Tear a big pile of colorful paper pieces in different sizes before gluing anything, this way they're not stopping and starting.
4. Glue the torn pieces onto the monster outline, filling it in completely. Encourage them to overlap and layer pieces.
5. Use crayons to add eyes, teeth, or other monster details.
6. Give the monster a name and let your child tell you what it's going to eat next!

Tips for Parents

• If tearing is too tricky, pre-cut some pieces as a starting point and let them try tearing the rest.
• There's no wrong way to make a monster: the sillier, the better. Resist the urge to tidy it up!

Extensions

• Have your child dictate their own monster story while you write it down, then illustrate it together.
• Sort the torn paper pieces by color before gluing — sneaky color-matching practice.
• At bedtime, ask them to "roar like the monster" whenever they hear a silly word in whatever book you're reading.
• Use playdough or other modeling material to create a 3D monster