MONSTER MUSEUM By: Marilyn Singer

Bibliography
Singer, Marilyn. 2001. MONSTER MUSEUM. Ill. by Gris Grimly. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 078680520X.

Plot Summary
MONSTER MUSEUM is a collection of poems about different types of monsters. The collection begins with an introduction to the museum which gives a glimpse of the monsters that you will be introduced to and then goes into poems about each type of monster. The collection ends with a short definition of each type of monster.

Critical Analysis
Marilyn Singer has created a collection of poems about different types of monsters. She is able to no only introduce many types of monsters but also poems with a variety of length and style. The poems also take a subject that can be somewhat scary for young children and creates a fun and humorous way of learning about the different types of monsters and their characteristics that have been passed down for generations. The language is simple and straightforward and aimed for an audience of children between the ages of 5-9. Finally, the different types of poems can be used to teach about rhyming, verse, and style or can be used as participatory poems to introduce children to poetry.

The fun and humorous illustrations really add to the positive language of the poetry. Gris Grimly has added full-page illustrations that are colorful and full of hidden fun including the two-headed rat, bat page numbers, and creepy chariacatures of the author and illustrator. He has also created monsters that are not as scary (for example the mummy with big red lips and long lashes and a werewolf that looks like an overgrown dog).

Overall, Singer and Grimly have created a book of monsters that not only introduces children to poetry but is also fun to read!

Review Excerpts
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Among the season's best creature features."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Another howling success for this versatile author."

Connections
*This is a great set of poems that can be used as a fun read and introduction to poetry around Halloween.
*Students could take something that scares them and create a humorous poem and illustration to make it seem less scary.
*Related books
Singer, Marilyn. CREATURE CARNIVAL. ISBN 0786810778
Singer, Marilyn. THE CIRCUS LUNICUS. ISBN 0805062688