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That Monster on the Block

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Monster is excited to see what kind of creature will move into Vampire’s old house on the block. He even starts practicing his welcome growl for the new neighbor. But when the moving truck pulls up, it’s not a greedy goblin, an ogre, or a dastardly dragon that steps out. Instead, it’s something even more terrifying than Monster could have imagined! Monster quickly rallies the other neighbors to unite against the new guy on the block. But what if the new neighbor isn’t exactly as bad as Monster thinks? Join Monster as he confronts his fears in this charming and lighthearted look at what it means to accept others who are different from us.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2020

513 people are currently reading
3740 people want to read

About the author

Sue Ganz-Schmitt

15 books24 followers

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5 stars
1,297 (64%)
4 stars
422 (20%)
3 stars
203 (10%)
2 stars
31 (1%)
1 star
58 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
Profile Image for Ceecee .
2,681 reviews2,251 followers
September 27, 2020
Amazon Prime First Read - September

One of the things I most miss during the pandemic is browsing in bookshops and looking for colourful stories for the children in my life, hence why I chose this! This is a really good story with a clear message which is presented in a colourful way and is easy to understand. The illustrations are excellent and I’m sure young children will really appreciate them as they are a lot of fun. The ending is really good and makes you smile.
Profile Image for TL *Humaning the Best She Can*.
2,296 reviews149 followers
October 4, 2020
*read for free with kindle unlimited *

Great artwork and it is a fun little story. A Halloween book that wouldn't be scary for the little ones.
Profile Image for Craig Sisterson.
Author 4 books90 followers
September 7, 2020
This book hit all the buttons for Miss Five and me - a fun story, colourful and interesting illustrations, some cool characters. While we often prefer rhyming tales, this one still has plenty of zing even without rhyming. It's a cool story of a monster coping with an unexpected new neighbour. Some nice life lessons that don't hit you over the head too hard, are woven in quite naturally. The illustrations by Luke Flowers are excellent, full of colour and life, that really bring things to another level (and the page layout and design too). All around a great kids book.
Profile Image for Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎.
1,251 reviews181 followers
December 31, 2023
Found browsing on Kindle Unlimited

Just when I thought that my 2023 picture book journey was already over...they gave me this! Funny story—the "monster" they refer to is a clown in a monster village. This is a nice, colorful book of friendship aimed at youngsters! Love the vivid illustrations, too.
Profile Image for Aeicha .
832 reviews110 followers
October 9, 2020
Who will Monster’s new neighbor be? Maybe an ogre, or a dragon, or a goblin Monster hopes. Nope! Monster’s new neighbor is the scariest, worst thing Monster could have imagined: a clown!

Sue Ganz-Schmitt's That Monster On The Block is a monster-load of fun, laughs, and heart! Together, Ganz-Schmitt and Flowers have created an imaginative and delightful monster neighborhood that little readers will have a blast exploring. Ganz-Schmitt's quirky, sweet tale and Flowers’ brightly colored and engaging illustrations, will charm readers.

With unforgettable and lovable monster characters, frightfully fun pictures, and a timely message about celebrating and accepting our differences, That Monster On The Block is sure to be a bedtime hit all year round!
Profile Image for Chloe Richardson.
108 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It would be great for using in EYFS and KS1. I think this book is great for opening up difficult discussions and can support PSHE lessons. There is great character progression for monster, which could prompt a good discussion about how his views changed and could chart the key points of that journey. A good discussion could be exist for similarities and differences between characters and this could be applied to the classroom. The illustrations are lovely and very detailed, which could be nice to look at with children.
Profile Image for Bookworm.
2,268 reviews94 followers
September 2, 2020
A fun little book that was available via the Amazon Prime Kindle Unlimited First Reads program that's a twist on an old tale but perfect for small people and just in time for Halloween. Monster is curious to find out who is moving into the old house after Vampire moved away. Who could it be?

A clown. Monster's new neighbor is a clown. AAAAAAAAAAAAH!

So follows a tale of the neighborhood adjusting to a rather cheerful new neighbor who is different from them (and from their old neighbor). How will they adjust? Will they become friends? Is it so bad that they're different from each other?

As you can probably tell from the book, this isn't exactly a cliffhanger. But overall I enjoyed the book, thought it was a cute twist and of course had a nice message. The illustrations are colorful and I'll bet children will enjoy this a lot.

A good gift to some smaller people in your life and a great book to read at the beginning of the school year.
Profile Image for Jennifer Brown.
2,743 reviews90 followers
January 28, 2021
Cute

Started out a little rough but ended on a good note. We can all get along if we just try a little! Loved the illustrations too!!
Profile Image for Hollie.
64 reviews3 followers
October 26, 2022
Super adorable for a 6 year old!

This book was so cute! I usually don’t read books on my kindle app to my kid (he’s 6), but I couldn’t get him to settle down, and my phone was right there. This is the cutest story I have stumbled across lately. The pictures were colorful and delightful and perfect for the Halloween season. I will probably buy the physical copy of this book for him for Christmas (we like monsters all year around and he just recently had a birthday or id buy it already haha). Definitely a positive message about making new friends and reaching out to include someone new. The monsters all looked happy and friendly, so that was awesome too. Will definitely read more by this author.
Profile Image for Claire Noland.
Author 3 books20 followers
October 31, 2020
Synopsis: Monster is hopeful that the new neighbor would be an ogre, a goblin, or even a dragon. He is not too happy, however, when he sees a polka-dotted van arrive and realizes that a CLOWN is moving into the neighborhood! He quickly notifies his monstrous neighbors and they all decide to shun Clown. Cheerfully, Clown rides to each door hoping to introduce himself. No one answers but he leaves gifts, heads home, puts on happy music and makes the dark and dreary house bright and colorful. Monster continues to organize his neighbors to boycott Clown but Clown doesn’t notice. He is too busy doing kind things for the others. When Monster tries to call another meeting, he finds that all of his neighbors are at Clown’ Circus School. Maybe it’s not so bad hanging around with Clown.
Monster is hopeful that the new neighbor would be an ogre, a goblin, or even a dragon. He is not too happy, however, when he sees a polka-dotted van arrive and realizes that a CLOWN is moving into the neighborhood! He quickly notifies his monstrous neighbors and they all decide to shun Clown. Cheerfully, Clown rides to each door hoping to introduce himself. No one answers but he leaves gifts, heads home, puts on happy music and makes the dark and dreary house bright and colorful. Monster continues to organize his neighbors to boycott Clown but Clown doesn’t notice. He is too busy doing kind things for the others. When Monster tries to call another meeting, he finds that all of his neighbors are at Clown’s Circus School. Maybe it’s not so bad hanging around with Clown. And, maybe the next new neighbor will be okay, too.

Not only is this book hilarious, it shows how first impressions aren’t always right. Friends can come in all shapes and sizes
The bright and cheerful illustrations have a vintage touch and children will enjoy discovering surprises on each detailed spread.
This book can lead into important discussions about diversity and prejudice in a nonjudgmental way.
Not only is this a perfect addition to a Halloween collection, but it can be enjoyed all year.
THAT MONSTER ON THE BLOCK is a great read-aloud and the monsters are darling!
Profile Image for Sara Lyma.
154 reviews6 followers
March 24, 2022
As vezes por sermos adultos , nos deixamos levar pela a aparência das pessoas , esta é a pior forma de estabelecer um relacionamento , seja ela qual for . Nesta historia bem humorada , um novo vizinho e mal recebido por todos que ali moram, porem ele não se deixa abater .Ele estabelece uma estratégia para convencer a todos que ele só quer fazer amigos , e veio agregar a vizinhança .

Então começa a ensinar a todos aquilo que ele sabe , e faz isso gratuitamente. Não sei se com você é a mesma coisa , mas as historias infantis as vezes nos ensinam coisas que nós adultos já deveríamos saber . Você não deve julgar um livro pela capa , e nem uma pessoa pela aparência , não faça isso , por favor . Todos nós temos medo do desconhecido , ainda mais pessoas , mas não devemos nunca fechar a porta para uma nova amizade , porque relacionamentos tendem a ser surpreendentes nas nossas vidas , e na maioria das vezes , pra melhor ! por isso não feche a porta .

Porem o livro vai mais fundo , você que é julgado de forma errada , por favor , nao fique chorando pelos cantos dizendo -"como eu foi injustiçado , tadinho de mim"; Mãos a obra e pense numa forma de mostrar a todos o seu valor , e como você pode agregar a todos , enfim faça o bem !



Tudo bem , estas historias servem pra nos fazer lembrar , que pra estabelecer relacionamentos verdadeiros e fortes , devemos dar para poder receber . Por experiência própria , relacionamentos assim , tendem a ser fortes e ultrapassam as barreiras do tempo e do espaço .





Por isso a próxima vez que um tipo estranho vir em sua direção , lembre-se que você também é um monstrinho , e vocês ate podem fazer uma boa parceria .
Profile Image for Heidi.
2,875 reviews64 followers
October 5, 2020
This delightful take on the new neighbor theme was quite enjoyable. Monster is excited when he discovers someone is moving in next door, until he finds out that someone is not a monster. He quickly informs all his friends of the shocking news. He also goes out of his way to make sure no one welcomes their new neighbor. When the new neighbor reaches out to befriend Monster and his friends, they don't respond. The neighbor is pretty down about this but doesn't give up, making over his house, putting up a tent, and proceeding to help his neighbors with some of their problems. Monster is determined to scare his neighbor away, but when he stomps over to the tent to do so, he finds to his shock, that his friends are hanging out with his new neighbor. Will Monster continue to reject his new neighbor, or will he find that he was wrong? I found this a fun take on an important theme. Using monsters and a "blank" (don't want to spoil it for you!), makes the idea of welcoming those who are different seem fresh and new. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and amusing and complement the story wonderfully. A fresh take on an old topic.
Profile Image for Christy.
1,221 reviews61 followers
October 16, 2020
That Monster on the Block is adorable! Don’t tell Monster though. I’m not sure he’d appreciate his book being called adorable…well, at least not at first…

Monster is so excited to see who is going to move into the house that the vampire family moved out of. But when he discovers a CLOWN moved in, he’s not at all happy! He calls all of his friends up to complain thinking they’ll agree with him. Well, once Monster’s neighbors get to know their new neighbor, they’re happy! He’s not so bad! But will Monster agree? Maybe…

Monster learns some valuable lessons in That Monster on the Block…lessons you can teach your little ones. Just because someone is different from you doesn’t mean you can’t be friends. Don’t judge someone based on first impressions. It’s okay to do something new! And, by the way, don’t gossip about your neighbors to your other neighbors! That’s a lesson we parents can learn too! Like I said, this Halloween book is adorable, and your kids will love both the story and the vivid illustrations.
Profile Image for Linda (bythebellbooks).
238 reviews4 followers
September 7, 2024
Monstrously awesome book!🧟‍♂️

Monster is ready to welcome a new neighbor with his best (and spookiest) growl, but when it’s not a goblin or dragon stepping out of the moving truck, things get terrifying… and not in the way Monster expected!

What starts as a campaign to “save the neighborhood” turns into a sweet lesson about making friends with people (or creatures) who are different.

The artwork is a treat, bursting with colorful monsters, and the story has just the right mix of humor, heart, and spookiness to keep both kids and adults hooked.

It's not just a tale about monsters—it's about the fears we all face when something or someone new enters our lives, and how opening our hearts can lead to wonderful surprises.

I read this on Kindle for free, but I would absolutely recommend buying a copy for any little monster-lovers out there. It's fun, it's charming, and it’s a great reminder that different isn’t scary—it’s awesome!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
5,546 reviews9 followers
September 9, 2020
fun but read notes below please, a September kindle first, you get to read the book before it is available to the public, i sort of wish i had tried another, Beth doesn't enjoy clowns, but i have been picking up the kid reads lately, because they are positive and fun. more happy go lucky reads. fun read, but for me the illustrations are a bit busy, it would not be a book i would navigate to if i wanted to read it to little ones ... 2 much on one page, it does over eye over stimulated, i enjoy the colors, it is a very colorful read, the point is there ... why you are reading the book in the first place. but??! i wish it was just one main illustration on each page instead of multiple ones all over the place ...where does one start?
Profile Image for Cynthia  Gutzwiller.
1,778 reviews22 followers
August 24, 2021
New Friends

This great cute story is about Monsters accepting new neighbors. It is made for 4-8 year old. I definitely recommend this book that you can not judge by it's cover. This fun read is super cute and has a wonderful meaning you little one can use on a neighbor or the playground. The artwork is well done.
Someone was moving next door to Monster, in the old
Vampires house. So he looked out the window. He saw a moving van with polka dots. Then slowly he saw his new neighbor. It was a....a.....(What could it be?)
Reading is the best way to find out. Yipee!
I am doing cartwheels here!!
4 reviews
September 4, 2020
Great for my younger brother

Despite usually choosing books for myself, i chose this book because it looked like something fun for me to read to my almost 4 year old brother. He sat very calmly and listened to this story, laughing and joining in with the sounds the monsters made. It was a very good story that im glad i gave a chance. My brother is definitely looking forward to reading this again. Thanks for this great book with a lovely message for kids and adults alike, Ms Ganz-Schmitt.
31 reviews
September 5, 2020
So colourful and fun.

Such a lovely colourful and fun book.

Nice to read children/ class tho get them thinking about making new friends at school or in their neighbourhood along with change and people being different. Especially when they may have had a long time away from other outside children (covid).

Nice for children to read to themselves and spot all of the fun little pictures and changes e.g. how the vampire house actually looks like a vampire and when Clown redecorates it 、it looks like a clown etc.

Profile Image for Lisa.
979 reviews2 followers
October 3, 2020
Got this through Amazon First Reads.
Fun story about a neighborhood of monsters who are not to thrilled when a clown moves into the neighborhood. Monster decides to hold an emergency meeting to see what can done about this "new" neighbor to prevent more of his kind from moving in. But as the story progresses, the monsters learn that they are wrong about the clown and realize that he is kind and friendly and has something to bring to the neighborhood.
A great story to show children that just because someone is different from us, we should still be welcoming and friendly towards to them.
Profile Image for Pamela Dodd.
Author 3 books2 followers
March 26, 2021
One of my grandkids loves monsters, skeltons, zombies, and basically all things one might find in a Halloween story, or one that has a cover like this book. Unfortunately, the lesson intended, that of accepting diversity, was lost on my grandchild. Instead, he wanted to know if the character being depicted was a zombie or what. This book is all about accepting one who is different, and not very much at all about the monster.

If you are in a transitional neighborhood and need to teach kids this lesson, have at it. But, if your kid loves monsters and zombies, keep looking—
Profile Image for Pam.
9,494 reviews49 followers
February 16, 2025
A strong message about looking beyond the surface and getting to know people without prejudging them. Readers see a monster observe his new neighbor and stir up the rest of the neighbors to ignore him. The clown is kind and offers help to others even when they shun him. Their attitude changes and the monster is left alone. He makes an effort and discovers how much fun it can be with those who are not exactly the same. The ending brings home that he figured this out. The artwork captures the energy and emotions.
Profile Image for Christina London.
225 reviews
September 7, 2020
Kids beg for more

I read this to my sons and the oldest said it was really good and asked for me to read it again tomorrow.

It is a cute story about Monster and his neighbors not welcoming a new neighbor who is different. After giving him a chance, they realize he is a great friend, but giving him a chance is a hard decision to make.
It is a timeless story told in an adorable way.
Profile Image for Angela Williamson.
246 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2020
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway. It is such a cute book dealing with new neighbors/friends, learning to meet someone new and different from you. The monsters in the neighborhood were all guessing who their new neighbor would be when the moving van pulled up. They had never met a neighbor like this before. Would they like him? Would they give him a chance? A great story, colorful illustrations and my granddaughter loved it.
Profile Image for Tonya Berry.
42 reviews
October 14, 2020
“That was a nice one”. In the words on my Monkey. She loved it!!! I would definitely recommend this to all my friends with little ones. The Illini were gorgeous. And the story was captivating. She had me read it a few times.

“That was a nice one”. In the words on my Monkey. She loved it!!! I would definitely recommend this to all my friends with little ones. The Illini were gorgeous. And the story was captivating. She had me read it a few times.
Profile Image for Mary.
1,149 reviews21 followers
November 7, 2020
Monster sees that someone new has moved into Vampire's old house. But who? When he finds out, he isn't happy about it, and encourages the others in the neighborhood to avoid the newcomer. Soon, however, his neighbors show him that different is okay.

A cute story for Halloween time or any time, that teaches kids that just because someone is different, doesn't mean they can't be a friend. Fun, colorful illustrations.
1,321 reviews16 followers
November 7, 2020
Monster is suspicious of the new neighbor moving in when he sees he's a clown. He warns the other neighbors and no one gives the clown a chance to show them he can be a good neighbor and friend. Until...things happen and his good nature and deeds come through and show what he was all along. In essence, the moral of the story is not to judge someone or something by their appearance. Get to know their real self and you might be surprised. Hopefully in a good way.
Profile Image for Annamarie Carlson (she, her).
1,225 reviews21 followers
Read
December 27, 2020
Monster is excited for his new neighbor--until he discovers that a clown has moved in! Monster immediately warns Zombie, Yeti, and Mummy--they couldn't possibly befriend a clown! But Clown just wants a friend--and they have plenty to share in their own way.

I appreciate the underlying humor at having a clown move in on a street with other generally "spooky" creatures (especially with the creepy nature of clowns). A cute enough book about being kind to those who might seem different.
321 reviews
August 26, 2024
Never judge a monster

Never judge a monster by its looks. This is a great lesson for adults because little kids don’t judge, they just play. I live next to a park and little kids will play with everyone. They never judge until later in life. Here is a great lesson why we need to never just and just let things unfold. We can make so many new friends and meet such interesting people with this mindset.
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