Monster Needs a Party

Paul Czajak got an F with the words "get a tutor" on his college writing paper and, after that, he never thought he'd become a writer. But after spending twenty years as a chemist, he knew his creativity could no longer be contained. Paul lives in New Jersey with his wife and two little monsters. In addition to the Monster & Me(TM) series, he's also the author of Seaver the Weaver, a contributor to The Huffington Post, and a reviewer for The New York Journal of Books. Wendy Grieb is a professional working in the Los Angeles animation industry and teaching animation. She is also an Annie Award-winning storyboard artist, who has worked as a developmental artist, illustrator, and character designer for companies such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Sony, Klasky-Csupo, White Wolf, and more. She lives in Yorba Linda, California.

Selected for the 2016 ILA-CBC Children's Choices List The Monster & Me(TM) series is a 2015 Silver Moonbeam Children's Book Award winner for Best Picture Book Series Featured in Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine's 2015 Buyer's Guide in the "Book Nook: 10 titles you'll love reading again and again" "Like the other Monster titles, the rhymes are fun and the illustrations are bursting with vivid colors and numerous details. Further, the lessons are simple (be flexible, be persistent) and not overdone. The story reminds readers that life can be amazing if we are positive and open to new possibilities. VERDICT An upbeat story that will appeal to all young children."--School Library Journal "Playful, charming, and featuring exuberant, colorful illustrations, Monster Needs a Party is pure fun to read aloud and share."--The Midwest Book Review, Children's Bookwatch: July 2015 "I love this story because I love all the monsters books. I love the whimsical rhymes in the story. It makes it a lot of fun to read and listen to. ... I would tell my friends to read this book because it's a good book and they like surprises just like me and the monster."--San Francisco Book Review, 5 Star Review from Ben, Age 3 "Bright, animated illustrations make this picture book feel like you have just watched a movie. ... It has a great lesson that even though things don't go as Monster planned, he can still have a good time if he keeps an open mind. There's also a good lesson that sometimes things are not always what they seem. It seems like all of his friends are too busy with something else, but is that really the case? ... This book is the fourth in a series -- and what a great series of books it is!"--The Picture Book Review "This book is a party! It is fun, imaginative, and playful. It is also a treasure. The very best kind ... a brilliant book that kids will love and want to reread again and again."--Ben Clanton, author of Mo's Mustache "Pirate style fun and colorful artwork will have your kids turning the pages faster than you can say, "argh!" And includes a surprise ending that will leave you smiling ear to {monster} ear!"--The Simple Moms Author Paul Czajak has created the perfect birthday gift for your child ... The book teaches children about coping with disappointment, what it takes to be a good friend and cheer one another up, and how to keep a friendship full of surprises! The illustrations by Wendy Grieb are full of bright colors and lots of action, from cover to cover. "--Diapers & Daydreams "Paul Czajak never disappoints with his illustrations and rhyming story. Fun, cheerful, and appealing in a monstrously delightful way."--ACS Reader's Haven Reviews "Monster Needs a Party is a terrific way to get the youngest children interested in reading, because they love monster stories. The rhythmic rhyming verse makes a perfect read aloud experience, and the fact that this title is part of a series provides readers with familiarity of the characters."--Smart Books for Smart Kids "Monster's dreams of a pirate themed birthday party do not go as planned, but an impromptu theme park visit and an end of day surprise save the day. Wee sprogs and old mateys will enjoy Czajak's rhyming verse and bold illustrations!"--Lisa Fabiano, children's buyer for Wellesley Books Monster Needs a Christmas Tree reviews: "Sendakesque ... The cute finale brings to mind Charlie Brown ... As before, Czajak and Grieb make Monster's perpetual overexcitement palpable and identifiable."--Booklist "...providing children with a valuable lesson in persistence and determination. ... The Monster & Me series is going strong and, from all indications, has a long life ahead of it."--Foreword Reviews, 5 Star Review Monster Needs His Sleep reviews: "Czajak and Grieb pair up once again for a hilarious take on the many creative ways a monster attempts to avoid bedtime. ...Sure to be a welcome choice for the going-to-bed time that never seems to end." --Kirkus Reviews "Featuring an endearing character children will adore, this imaginative book will be hard to put down...even at bedtime!" -- Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, author of Pirate Princess and Chicks Run Wild Monster Needs a Costume reviews: "...Given the jaunty flow of the story and the humorous details on every page, put this at the top of the list for unscary options come October." --Kirkus Reviews "The rhymes, quite obviously, are bouncy and irreverent, and just as much heck is raised by Grieb's cartoony illustrations of the enormous, blue, horned beast with the happy underbite..." --Booklist