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My Teacher Is a Monster!
Bobby has a problem.
You see, his teacher is a monster.
But when Bobby runs into his teacher outside of school, he learns there is more to her than meets the eye.
You see, his teacher is a monster.
But when Bobby runs into his teacher outside of school, he learns there is more to her than meets the eye.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2014
About the author
Peter Brown
34 books1,265 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Peter Brown is an American writer and illustrator who is best known for children's picture books.
"Peter has always loved telling stories. Growing up in New Jersey, he told stories by drawing whimsical characters and scenes from his imagination. Then, as a teenager, he fell in love with writing, and told his tales with words. While studying illustration at Art Center College of Design, Peter’s love of both words and pictures led him to take several courses on children’s books, and before long he knew he’d found his calling.
After graduating from Art Center Peter moved to New York City to be closer to the publishing industry. He was working on animated TV shows when he signed a book deal to write and illustrate his first picture book, Flight of the Dodo. Peter quickly signed up his second and third books, and his career as an author and illustrator of children’s books was under way.
Peter’s books have earned him numerous honors, including a Caldecott Honor (2013) for Creepy Carrots!, two E.B. White Awards and an E.B. White Honor, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book award, a Children’s Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year, two Irma Black Honors, and five New York Times bestsellers.
Peter lives in Brooklyn, New York."
Source: About Peter Brown.
Peter Brown is an American writer and illustrator who is best known for children's picture books.
"Peter has always loved telling stories. Growing up in New Jersey, he told stories by drawing whimsical characters and scenes from his imagination. Then, as a teenager, he fell in love with writing, and told his tales with words. While studying illustration at Art Center College of Design, Peter’s love of both words and pictures led him to take several courses on children’s books, and before long he knew he’d found his calling.
After graduating from Art Center Peter moved to New York City to be closer to the publishing industry. He was working on animated TV shows when he signed a book deal to write and illustrate his first picture book, Flight of the Dodo. Peter quickly signed up his second and third books, and his career as an author and illustrator of children’s books was under way.
Peter’s books have earned him numerous honors, including a Caldecott Honor (2013) for Creepy Carrots!, two E.B. White Awards and an E.B. White Honor, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book award, a Children’s Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year, two Irma Black Honors, and five New York Times bestsellers.
Peter lives in Brooklyn, New York."
Source: About Peter Brown.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 616 reviews
May 2, 2023
به مناسبت روز معلم، خواستم کتابی بخونم که درباره معلم باشه. و خب انتخاب خیلی باحالی بود چون هم خیلی کوتاهه هم بانمکه هم نقاشی های خیلی جذابی داره که آدمو سرحال میاره. بعنوان یک معلم تایید میکنم که گاهی تبدیل به هیولا میشیم ولی باور کنید قلبی از جواهر توی سینه داریم :))
راستی، امروز رو به خودم و همه معلم های گودریدز فارسی تبریک میگم♡
راستی، امروز رو به خودم و همه معلم های گودریدز فارسی تبریک میگم♡
April 5, 2022
خیلی خیلی خوب و در عین حال بانمکه
اون تغییر ظاهر تا آخر کتاب،موشک‌هواکردن، به‌اشتراک‌گذاشتن بعضی چیزهای موردعلاقه... خیلی قشنگه
و رنگ غالب سبزش
<3 <3
اون تغییر ظاهر تا آخر کتاب،موشک‌هواکردن، به‌اشتراک‌گذاشتن بعضی چیزهای موردعلاقه... خیلی قشنگه
و رنگ غالب سبزش
<3 <3
May 28, 2014
Students often consider their teachers to be monsters. They doubt that they could possibly have lives outside of the classroom or that they could be fun at all. In clever fashion, this picture book depicts Ms. Kirby, Robert's teacher, as rather beastly in how she conducts her classroom every day. The illustrations even show her with green skin, fangs, and knotted hair. But when he happens to meet her outside of the classroom in a park, he sees that she is not what he thinks she is. In fact, she enjoys quacking with the ducks and watching to see how far a paper airplane can fly. By the time the two separate, Bobby is no longer quite as afraid if Ms. Kirby as he originally was, and the illustrations show how she has morphed from monster to human being. The illustrations, fashioned with India ink, watercolor, gouache, and pencil on paper, were digitally composed and colored, and yes, they are delightful in every way. This book is certain to appeal to students and teachers because yes, teachers have their monstrous sides but also their very human sides. Students will enjoy tracing the transition of Ms. Kirby too.
November 5, 2015
Aww ... teachers are people too!
Rating, 4 stars.
Bobby's teacher Ms. Kirby is a monster ...
I liked this Peter Brown's book better than Mr. Tiger Goes Wild.
It was nice to see how Bobby's perception of his teacher (after meeting her outside the classroom) went from this...
to this...
just in a few hours.
Rating, 4 stars.
Bobby's teacher Ms. Kirby is a monster ...
I liked this Peter Brown's book better than Mr. Tiger Goes Wild.
It was nice to see how Bobby's perception of his teacher (after meeting her outside the classroom) went from this...
to this...
just in a few hours.
May 24, 2014
Bobby realizes that teachers, even his, are people too. Monstrously entertaining.
April 30, 2020
روز هیولاهایی بعضا دوست‌داشتنی مبارک. البته دوره‌های ما فرصتی دست نمی‌داد که وجه دوست‌داشتنی‌شون رو هم ببینیم.
May 28, 2014
Peter Brown does it again. He has created an ingenious book with wonderful illustrations. I can't wait to use this for storytime.
September 5, 2016
A must read at the beginning of the school year! It gives students a perspective of the teacher in and outside of the classroom. Also, it is very simple, and it gives good humor!
May 11, 2019
Bobby's teacher Ms. Kirby appears in the guise of a monster to him in this amusing and insightful picture-book from Peter Brown, creator of such wonderful stories as
The Curious Garden
and
Children Make Terrible Pets
. She stomps and roars, calls him 'Robert,' and becomes angry when he flies paper planes in the classroom. But when Bobby meets Ms. Kirby in the park one day, and the two spend some time together, quacking with the ducks and climbing to Bobby's favorite spot, she suddenly seems more human. So, is she a monster or not...?
The answer, of course, is that she is both, just as the eponymous library 'dragon' in Carmen Agra Deedy's The Library Dragon is both librarian and dragon, as the occasion requires. I like the fact that the story and illustrations in My Teacher Is a Monster work so well together - always a hallmark of a successful picture-book - as Bobby's slow discovery of Ms. Kirby's finer points is reflected in the artwork, which shows the teacher becoming progressively more human looking as the story progresses. She still has a bit of the monster in her however, and the story concludes with a humorous flourish as she returns to calling Bobby 'Robert,' after he (again) flies a paper plane in class. Recommended to anyone looking for stories addressing how children perceive their teachers, as well as to anyone who appreciates humorous picture-books.
The answer, of course, is that she is both, just as the eponymous library 'dragon' in Carmen Agra Deedy's The Library Dragon is both librarian and dragon, as the occasion requires. I like the fact that the story and illustrations in My Teacher Is a Monster work so well together - always a hallmark of a successful picture-book - as Bobby's slow discovery of Ms. Kirby's finer points is reflected in the artwork, which shows the teacher becoming progressively more human looking as the story progresses. She still has a bit of the monster in her however, and the story concludes with a humorous flourish as she returns to calling Bobby 'Robert,' after he (again) flies a paper plane in class. Recommended to anyone looking for stories addressing how children perceive their teachers, as well as to anyone who appreciates humorous picture-books.
January 9, 2018
I am unsure whether this is a parody of the teacher-as-disciplinarian/teacher-as-human (in which case three stars is mean) or an example of the genre. Funny, maybe, but if simply another “grown ups are monsters” story them I really am not sure. And then there’s the issue of how it depicts teaching, teachers, the pupil-teacher relationship, women...
July 1, 2019
Πολύ καλό ανάγνωσμα για περιπτώσεις μαθητών (είτε αγοριών, είτε κοριτσιών) που η δασκάλα τους βάζει πάντα κακό βαθμό ή τους μαλώνει ή δεν τους καταλαβαίνει ενώ οι ίδιοι είναι πάντα τόσο συνεπείς και φρόνιμοι...#not.
Τα δικά μου τα ήσυχα παιδάκια είπαν πάντως ότι η δασκάλα του βιβλίου μάλλον είχε μια κατάρα να μεταμορφώνεται σε τέρας όταν θυμώνει! Όπως το πάρει κανείς!
Τα δικά μου τα ήσυχα παιδάκια είπαν πάντως ότι η δασκάλα του βιβλίου μάλλον είχε μια κατάρα να μεταμορφώνεται σε τέρας όταν θυμώνει! Όπως το πάρει κανείς!
July 1, 2014
The evolution of a teacher--child relationship from monster vs. troublemaker to two people who enjoy paper airplanes (in the right setting, of course).
This is a great book because it's relatable and funny AND it makes you think. I like the way the chance meeting in the park between supposed enemies is awkward for both people and how kids get a sense of that too from the artwork. I like the subtle changes in Ms. Kirby as she morphs from a monster into your average teacher. It's gradual and genius and invites many, many re-readings once kids become wise to what's going on. I like the bond that develops between Bobby and Ms. Kirby, sometimes all it takes is one common interest for a significant change in perspective. I also liked the way the story comes full circle and readers get an idea of how an expression (i.e. my teacher is a monster) can have multiple meanings.
I'd put this book on the shelf alongside James Marshall's fabulous Miss Nelson books, it's sure to be another teacher classic. PreK-2.
This is a great book because it's relatable and funny AND it makes you think. I like the way the chance meeting in the park between supposed enemies is awkward for both people and how kids get a sense of that too from the artwork. I like the subtle changes in Ms. Kirby as she morphs from a monster into your average teacher. It's gradual and genius and invites many, many re-readings once kids become wise to what's going on. I like the bond that develops between Bobby and Ms. Kirby, sometimes all it takes is one common interest for a significant change in perspective. I also liked the way the story comes full circle and readers get an idea of how an expression (i.e. my teacher is a monster) can have multiple meanings.
I'd put this book on the shelf alongside James Marshall's fabulous Miss Nelson books, it's sure to be another teacher classic. PreK-2.
August 26, 2016
Another funny one- my students will love it! But.. a great message too about perspective.
February 14, 2022
Had me in stitches throughout. I suspect that many of us remember inadvertently bumping into a teacher outside of class and not knowing what the heck to do. For me, it was Miss Gwen (the Y6 teacher and Head of my Junior School). As a Primary School Teacher who lived in the town in which he taught, it was crazy! You could move for bumping into a parent or pupil!
In his book, Brown uses this moment to show the 'Robert' (the child) that his teacher is not really the monster he is making her out to be - and vice versa. It's a sweet story with a clever pinch of truth in inviting us to always consider the bias with which we view others.
In his book, Brown uses this moment to show the 'Robert' (the child) that his teacher is not really the monster he is making her out to be - and vice versa. It's a sweet story with a clever pinch of truth in inviting us to always consider the bias with which we view others.
May 20, 2017
Kitabın sonuna doğru öğretmenin normal rengine dönmesi içimi rahatlattı 😁 :)
August 24, 2015
My Teacher Is a Monster is the perfect book for any young school-goer who may not quite see eye-to-eye with their class teacher. Let's face it, school life is not always peachy for all sorts of reasons, least of all having a horrible teacher! This short tale hits the nail on the head in that respect, but what's great about Brown's work is the ease with which the story flows, and how the beauty of the relationship between Bobby and his monster teacher unfolds through appropriate content, and language, alongside the superb illustration work, with a few hilariously awkward moments thrown in for good measure!
Bobby's teacher, Miss Kirby is introduced to us as this horrid, grumbling great ogre of a woman who stomps about in her pointy-toed heels and yells at the children to quieten down. It's made crystal clear through Bobby's displeased facial expressions that he enjoys neither of those things, but worst of all, Miss Kirby does NOT like children who throw paper aeroplanes during lesson time. Having learned this the hard way, poor Bobby seeks solace at the park at weekends... Only, one Saturday, he bumps into the very Miss Kirby herself! Bobby is unable to believe his misfortune - a day which should have been spent having fun, is somehow still destined to end in ruins because of that monster teacher! At this point in the story, the reader gets the feeling that something is about to happen between Bobby and Miss Kirby, as he braves the moment by going over to her, despite his secret desires to run off!
The bond they develop begins to emerge through awkwardly placed conversation as Bobby stumbles upon the sudden realisation that his teacher still exists outside of school grounds. Miss Kirby feels equally uncomfortable and the situation is odd for them both, but before long the pair set aside their differences through a moment of near-disaster, which subsequently brings them closer together. Now the illustrations become much extremely significant, in a way much different to before. They symbolise the innermost parts of Miss Kirby that Bobby learns and understands to be human, as seeing her in a state of vulnerability contrasts drastically to her all-too-familiar power status in the classroom. And now, something truly magical happens. The more humanness Bobby recognises in Miss Kirby, the more physically human she becomes, beginning with her green skin adjusting picture by picture, her several sharp monstrous teeth disappearing one by one until finally her gradual transition leaves her looking much like an ordinary teacher, and what's more, just an ordinary person. Miss Kirby's transformation coincides with the transition of their relationship as Bobby goes from thinking of her as this hideously mean and meanly hideous, grumpy old monster, to understanding that she is a person just like him, who can sometimes get stressed or annoyed, or even scared, like she is during the story's point of dilemma.
A highly successful story which allows children to realise that despite the fact that teaching is by no means an easy occupation, this doesn't meant that teachers don't care about their pupils, and it certainly doesn't make them monsters (at least, not all the time)! The important message gained from this book falls into the typical "don't judge a book buy its cover" moral category, but with its carefully crafted structure and imagery, is unlike any other young children's book I've seen of that nature. This is a story which can be read to and thoroughly enjoyed by a Foundation Stage class, but also a Key Stage One class, on a more complex level, where it would be essential for linguistic progress as well as social development to make sure to discuss with children a few of the central aspects of the story such as: how they think Bobby is feeling when Miss Kirby "stomps" and "roars" (triggering an opportunity to reflect on how they feel if their own class teacher ever stomps or roars) and also how Miss Kirby herself might be feeling (why is she stomping/roaring?); what changes they notice about Miss Kirby from the beginning of to the end and what this might mean (has Bobby changed his ideas about her, and has she tried to change anything about herself?); the connotations of Miss Kirby's physical transformation. Brown's creative tale helps young children to consider what someone might really like, when separated from all the things we usually associate them with, and learn to understand and appreciate them as a person. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend to teachers and youngsters alike.
Bobby's teacher, Miss Kirby is introduced to us as this horrid, grumbling great ogre of a woman who stomps about in her pointy-toed heels and yells at the children to quieten down. It's made crystal clear through Bobby's displeased facial expressions that he enjoys neither of those things, but worst of all, Miss Kirby does NOT like children who throw paper aeroplanes during lesson time. Having learned this the hard way, poor Bobby seeks solace at the park at weekends... Only, one Saturday, he bumps into the very Miss Kirby herself! Bobby is unable to believe his misfortune - a day which should have been spent having fun, is somehow still destined to end in ruins because of that monster teacher! At this point in the story, the reader gets the feeling that something is about to happen between Bobby and Miss Kirby, as he braves the moment by going over to her, despite his secret desires to run off!
The bond they develop begins to emerge through awkwardly placed conversation as Bobby stumbles upon the sudden realisation that his teacher still exists outside of school grounds. Miss Kirby feels equally uncomfortable and the situation is odd for them both, but before long the pair set aside their differences through a moment of near-disaster, which subsequently brings them closer together. Now the illustrations become much extremely significant, in a way much different to before. They symbolise the innermost parts of Miss Kirby that Bobby learns and understands to be human, as seeing her in a state of vulnerability contrasts drastically to her all-too-familiar power status in the classroom. And now, something truly magical happens. The more humanness Bobby recognises in Miss Kirby, the more physically human she becomes, beginning with her green skin adjusting picture by picture, her several sharp monstrous teeth disappearing one by one until finally her gradual transition leaves her looking much like an ordinary teacher, and what's more, just an ordinary person. Miss Kirby's transformation coincides with the transition of their relationship as Bobby goes from thinking of her as this hideously mean and meanly hideous, grumpy old monster, to understanding that she is a person just like him, who can sometimes get stressed or annoyed, or even scared, like she is during the story's point of dilemma.
A highly successful story which allows children to realise that despite the fact that teaching is by no means an easy occupation, this doesn't meant that teachers don't care about their pupils, and it certainly doesn't make them monsters (at least, not all the time)! The important message gained from this book falls into the typical "don't judge a book buy its cover" moral category, but with its carefully crafted structure and imagery, is unlike any other young children's book I've seen of that nature. This is a story which can be read to and thoroughly enjoyed by a Foundation Stage class, but also a Key Stage One class, on a more complex level, where it would be essential for linguistic progress as well as social development to make sure to discuss with children a few of the central aspects of the story such as: how they think Bobby is feeling when Miss Kirby "stomps" and "roars" (triggering an opportunity to reflect on how they feel if their own class teacher ever stomps or roars) and also how Miss Kirby herself might be feeling (why is she stomping/roaring?); what changes they notice about Miss Kirby from the beginning of to the end and what this might mean (has Bobby changed his ideas about her, and has she tried to change anything about herself?); the connotations of Miss Kirby's physical transformation. Brown's creative tale helps young children to consider what someone might really like, when separated from all the things we usually associate them with, and learn to understand and appreciate them as a person. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend to teachers and youngsters alike.
July 20, 2014
My Teacher is a Monster (No I’m Not) by Peter Brown – All Ages – Just loved this book. Think it is quite touching and draws readers to that idea of seeing a teacher outside the school environment. I always laugh when I get the big eyes from students who don’t quite know what to say to me outside of the school. Not certain that they all know I’m a regular human and don’t live at the school… (This hasn’t occurred as much since my son began attending the schools I teach at.) Quite fun and touching, especially accepting that teachers do need a little distance to manage a classroom.
August 13, 2015
Several MS/HS teachers suggested this as a read aloud on a recent Nerdy Book Club post. I may give it a try on the first day of school!
August 12, 2016
How in the world have I not read this book yet?! A hilarious and fun tale about a boy & his teacher. I adore Peter Brown's dedication: "To misunderstood teachers and their misunderstood students."
December 24, 2023
I love sharing this story with my students. We go back and watch her transform. But the most fun is drawing our own monster teachers.
Read
February 27, 2017For this comic it was a very well put and a great story for kids learning not to judge someone by what they appear to see someone as. The plot of this story is a kid named Bobby who doesn’t have the best experience with his teacher Ms. Kirby. In the first couple of pages she has imaged as a green ugly monster by her student Robert as she addresses him. But, throughout the story you see changes in his views of Ms. Kirby and who she really is. Reading this comic book was very good example for teaching in the classroom for children. Throughout the text you see Bobby not having the best experience but once he actually got to sit down with her he realizes that maybe overall she’s not a monster. I enjoyed the text it was simple and to the point. It didn’t drag on and on so it will be able to keep the reader’s attention. For the images I think they did a great job. It was very vibrant with the text and always a new type of scenceary for each page. The front cover really caught my attention because there is this green thing and then a student in the background saying “My teacher is a MONSTER “!
I really enjoyed the plot of this story. It had talked about Bobby the student saying his teacher was a monster, but he got to know a different side of herself. When they both ended up going to the park and awkwardly talking to one of another for a bit. The story didn’t have much scenery changes so it was nice to be able to keep track of where and what they were doing. The most two influence places they went to was the classroom and park. Something that also helped with the text a lot was the facial expression through the text. For example when Ms. Kirby was yelling at Robert you see her face get grumpy and she looks very angry. Having facial expressions is very important because youre able to see how . Also having the speech bubbles would help you with reading the text. In a comic book it’s a bit different then having a picturebook because the text can be a couple of sentences and with a comic book you have a lot of mini text bubble and each has a different frame for pictures and text. All in all this comic was very cute and educational for younger viewers.
I really enjoyed the plot of this story. It had talked about Bobby the student saying his teacher was a monster, but he got to know a different side of herself. When they both ended up going to the park and awkwardly talking to one of another for a bit. The story didn’t have much scenery changes so it was nice to be able to keep track of where and what they were doing. The most two influence places they went to was the classroom and park. Something that also helped with the text a lot was the facial expression through the text. For example when Ms. Kirby was yelling at Robert you see her face get grumpy and she looks very angry. Having facial expressions is very important because youre able to see how . Also having the speech bubbles would help you with reading the text. In a comic book it’s a bit different then having a picturebook because the text can be a couple of sentences and with a comic book you have a lot of mini text bubble and each has a different frame for pictures and text. All in all this comic was very cute and educational for younger viewers.
December 3, 2018
I think this book is one of the most relatable books I've read, in the form of a picture book. It is about a boy Bobby and his perception of his teacher within school. The story follows Bobby through a day at school and then what Bobby does when he isn't at school. He runs into his teacher in the park and that singular moment changed Bobby's opinion of his teacher.
I found it relatable because of the confusion shown by Bobby seeing his teacher outside school and realising that she has a life outside school and doesn't just stay there all the time is something as trainee teachers, my friend have found with children that we have taught. It's always a shock to them to see us in a different setting.
I thought the illustrations were lovely and colourful throughout, with elements of great detail paid to them. When Bobby's opinion on his teacher started to change and he realised she wan't a monster, the illustrations in the book portrayed his feelings. The teacher started of in a real monster-like form and slowly transformed into a more human-like individual as the book went on to show that as Bobby got to know his teacher, he realised she wasn't that bad all the time.
I found it relatable because of the confusion shown by Bobby seeing his teacher outside school and realising that she has a life outside school and doesn't just stay there all the time is something as trainee teachers, my friend have found with children that we have taught. It's always a shock to them to see us in a different setting.
I thought the illustrations were lovely and colourful throughout, with elements of great detail paid to them. When Bobby's opinion on his teacher started to change and he realised she wan't a monster, the illustrations in the book portrayed his feelings. The teacher started of in a real monster-like form and slowly transformed into a more human-like individual as the book went on to show that as Bobby got to know his teacher, he realised she wasn't that bad all the time.
January 20, 2022
It's easy to see each other as monsters until life prods us to really see each other and we find we're all human. That's the premise of this delightfully illustrated story, cleverly told through narration and dialogue. Read it and see if it doesn't quack you up!
October 5, 2017
I like the idea of a monster BUUUUT just why the hair on Bobby's Head
The above comment is by my son :)
The above comment is by my son :)
November 29, 2018
Buenísimo, buenísimo, buenísimoooooooooo !
La transformación visual es maravillosa.
La transformación visual es maravillosa.
November 4, 2019
A book highlighting that all is not as it seems, and people may be different under the facades they create.
May 16, 2020
Lectura idónea y adorable para este Día del maestro y la maestra 👩🏫.
June 2, 2020
Τα πράγματα δεν είναι πάντα έτσι όπως νομίζουμε!!! Άλλωστε και λίγος αυτοσαρκασμός δεν βλάπτει!
January 25, 2023
I love the art so, so much. Especially the ducks. Quack!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 616 reviews