Review: We Wish for a Monster Christmas by Sue Fliess

WE WISH FOR A MONSTER CHRISTMAS

by Sue Fliess

Illustrated by Claudia Ranucci

Sterling Children's Books

Picture Book/Christmas

32 pages

We wish for a furry monster, 
A big, hairy, scary monster, 
Our own stomping, chomping monster, for Christmas this year! 
 
Dear Santa: please bring us a MONSTER for Christmas! This hilarious parody of the traditional carol stars two siblings who want something just a little more special than the usual toys for their Christmas gift. Mom and Dad refuse—so they appeal to a higher power: Santa. And since they’ve been good all year, he delivers. But having a monster in the house may not be all it's cracked up to be . . . as the kids discover when he turns their playroom to rubble and causes tons of trouble. Now, what will they do? Delighted readers will sing along with the merry song.

MY TIDBITS

This tale takes on an original Christmas wish—a hairy, scary monster—and insures tons of fun.

A brother and sister are ready for Christmas, and this year, they have something special in mind. They want their own monster. Since they were very good children the last year, Santa is more than happy to fulfill their request. The result isn't quite what the kids hoped for, and they have their hands full.

Quirky humor is key in this tale, which follows the familiar Christmas carol, We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The fun starts the second that cover is opened. The end papers portray a whimsical line of possible monster wishes as well as a list of their best (or worst?) attributes. From there, the story dives into the song. If it's not read with the song in mind, the rhymes and timing will come across a little off. A reminder that this does follow the song would be helpful in the beginning, but so the reader is left to remember it themselves. As going along, it is fun to sing it and young readers/listeners are more than happy to join in. It can stumble a bit when the verses switch in. That resolves itself by the 2nd or 3rd read-through. . .something which is guaranteed with this book.

The tale is quirky and fun. Mom and Dad's reaction to the monster fulfillment will have parents and kids laughing alike. And when chaos begins, it's a sheer delight. The solution is very satisfactory and leaves with a warm feeling just before the ending hits with a hilarious delight.

This is a fun book and a different kind of read for Christmas. It is silly with humor at center stage and will have everyone laughing and is great for even young readers/listeners. My kids were singing the refrain again and again. . .probably something that will continue all Christmas long.

And here she is. . .

Sue Fliess (pronounced "fleece") is a children's book author, freelance writer, and former Sr. Copywriter for eBay. Please visit her website www.suefliess.com for a complete list of her books and publications. Her books have received awards and accolades and have been used in museum education programs and school curricula, and her book, The Bug Book, was selected as part of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Sue has also written for the Walt Disney Company. 

Sue has contributed articles to O the Oprah Magazine, Huffington Post, Education.com, TravelMuse.com, Bay Area Parent, Writer's Digest Magazine, and more. She also writes corporate content (web, newsletters, collateral) and provides marketing consulting as well. Her clients include: Artsy Lane, eBay, HotelTonight, Room77, Redbeacon.com, Clover by Clover, and Tiny Treks. 

When she's not writing, she is busy with her two teen boys, and loves to travel. She lives in Northern VA with her husband, kids, and a smart English Labrador named Charlie.  (taken from Goodreads)

You can find out more about her. . .
http://www.suefliess.com