Monster Boogie

by Laurie Berkner (Author) Ben Clanton (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

Laurie Berkner, "the queen of children's music" (People), pairs the lyrics of her infectious hit song with Ben Clanton's whimsical illustrations in this groovy and adorable picture book--a must-have for fans of Laurie, dancing, and all things monstrous! I'm the biggest monster that you've ever seen! My eyes are purple and my teeth are green. I'm big and I'm scary, you know what I mean?

And this is what I like to do... Boogie away those bedtime fears and embrace your inner monster with Monster Boogie, based on Laurie Berkner's irresistibly fun song and featuring lively, playful artwork by Ben Clanton! I do the monster boogie. So can you! Rraaaahhh!

Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

Kirkus

This book is clearly designed for singing, dancing, and messy crafting. It's the best and most convivial way to experience it.

Publishers Weekly

Like a cheery preschool version of the Halloween classic "Monster Mash," children's music star Berkner's snappy tune-turned-picture-book features not-so-scary monsters cutting a rug. When "the biggest monster that you've ever seen!" shows up in two sleeping kids' bedroom, one sibling is all smiles, while the other keeps a wide-eyed distance as their purple-eyed visitor clicks on the boom box and confesses he likes to "do the monster boogie... round the room!... So can you!" By the time the monster breaks into a second round--"monster wiggle" moves--both kids are joyfully bebopping with their unexpected guest and a few of his monstrous friends. Clanton (the Narwhal and Jelly series) opens the action in an inky dark bedroom, then creates a true party atmosphere with a popping fresh palette. Thick black outlines delineate his figures, who are further distinguished by their big, bright eyes--with some characters sporting more than two. This romp offers sunny before-bed silliness and may also just help allay nighttime monster fears. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Illustrator's agent: Marietta Zacker, Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency. (July)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

PreS--This is an energetic adaptation of a song by Berkner. The story line is simple--a monster shows up in a child's room at night but instead of being scary, he wants to dance. The creature invites everyone to dance, including readers. The text is simple and repetitive. It includes color words that young readers will enjoy pointing to. Clanton's artwork is vividly colored and is so exuberant, the monster seems to come right off the page. Kids will identify with the feeling of being scared by monsters and hopefully transfer the confidence of being able to dance with them rather than being afraid. Adults would do well to search for videos of Berkner performing her song, which will help with appreciating its cadence and rhythm. This book would make an enjoyable storytime selection with extensions that could include singing the song and making crafts. VERDICT A fun read-aloud choice for libraries with preschool populations.--Debbie Tanner, S D Spady Montessori Elementary, FL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Laurie Berkner
Recognized as "the queen of children's music" (People), Laurie Berkner is a singer, songwriter, lyricist, author, and founder of Two Tomatoes Records. She has released twelve bestselling, award-winning albums, was the first recording artist ever to perform in music videos on Nick Jr., and appeared regularly on the network's Jack's Big Music Show. Laurie helped develop the short-form animated series, Sing It, Laurie!, on the twenty-four-hour preschool television channel Sprout, and has written music and lyrics for three Off-Broadway children's musicals. A project close to her heart has been designing the curriculum and training teachers for Laurie Berkner's The Music in Me, an early childhood music program based on her music and classroom philosophy. Learn more at LaurieBerkner.com.

Ben Clanton is a lot like a mutant potato. He too enjoys mud, eating stuff, and playing games. When Ben isn't doing these things (and sometimes when he is), he likes to make books. Books like the Tater Tales series, It Came in the Mail, Something Extraordinary, and the New York Times bestselling Narwhal and Jelly series. See what he is up to at BenClanton.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781481464659
Lexile Measure
310
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date
July 24, 2018
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV031020 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Dance
JUV057000 - Juvenile Fiction | Stories in Verse (see also Poetry)
JUV031040 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Music
JUV052000 - Juvenile Fiction | Monsters
Library of Congress categories
Dance
United States
Songs
Monsters
Children's songs, English

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