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Do Not Build a Frankenstein!
A Frankenstein is big. He could push you really high on the swing. He'd never get tired of giving you rides on his shoulder. A Frankenstein would be the perfect new best friend. Maybe you could build one. . . . No! Wait! Whatever you do, Do Not Build a Frankenstein!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2009
3 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 6, 2009
The story is thin but the illustrations are fun--though what is with the little hat the boy is wearing?!
October 31, 2012
Monster Storytime! I also read it for Monster Mayhem LEGO Club.
August 5, 2014
What can I say? This book is awesome! So cute.
September 29, 2019
There is obviously some cultural context to this book - the children who are reading this or having this read to them may not know who Frankenstein's monster is (which already the title is a little bit misleading since the actual monster isn't Frankenstein but Frankenstein's monster) so probably fill them in on that.
Also, the child's problem can be used as a sort of surface-level problem - he's tired of playing with the friend that he made because the friend doesn't get tired and always wants to play (emphasizing a lack of understanding or compassion). But in the end, I am glad that the townspeople ended up showing him that he was being a mean person who wasn't thinking on the positive side of things. So they wanted to play with him and at least give him a chance. (And you can't just run away to another town and think that your problem is solved when the problem is from within!!)
The author should have included more diverse townspeople.
Also, the child's problem can be used as a sort of surface-level problem - he's tired of playing with the friend that he made because the friend doesn't get tired and always wants to play (emphasizing a lack of understanding or compassion). But in the end, I am glad that the townspeople ended up showing him that he was being a mean person who wasn't thinking on the positive side of things. So they wanted to play with him and at least give him a chance. (And you can't just run away to another town and think that your problem is solved when the problem is from within!!)
The author should have included more diverse townspeople.
December 8, 2017
A very cute book with a very important lesson: do not build a Frankenstein, because they are super-annoying and difficult to get along with! A great book for the little monsters in your life.
October 16, 2023
There just wasn't much of a storyline to follow. Might be a bit confusing to younger kids.
May 24, 2017
I have to be honest. I want to build a Frankenstein now that I've read this. Beforehand, I had no interest whatsoever, but now, that's all changed. Frankenstein was a far more appealing potential friend than his maker. This was a cute story. Very amusing.
September 29, 2012
Genre: Fantasy
Review: Publishers Weekly
There's a new kid in town, and he's a walking cautionary tale. As his peers listen raptly, he launches into a series of flashbacks, all designed to reinforce the lesson of the title. Sure, he says, a monster of one's own is fun at first (it turns out monsters are not averse to wearing drag when playing dress-up), but pretty soon the monster's enormous strength and relentless energy make it clear that emulating Victor Frankenstein is never a good idea (“He'll chase away your friends... and your pets... and he'll break all your toys”). Numberman is a nimble, funny writer, and he opts for showing rather than telling, his naïf watercolors scoring a punch line every time (the monster's vague resemblance to a giant green Homer Simpson on steroids makes the joke all the funnier). After a terrific debut as an illustrator this spring with the graphic novel–style Joey Fly, Private Eye, Numberman demonstrates his versatility and proves that he can deliver as both author and artist. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)
Recommendation: 4-8 Years
Notes: Fun for Halloween
Review: Publishers Weekly
There's a new kid in town, and he's a walking cautionary tale. As his peers listen raptly, he launches into a series of flashbacks, all designed to reinforce the lesson of the title. Sure, he says, a monster of one's own is fun at first (it turns out monsters are not averse to wearing drag when playing dress-up), but pretty soon the monster's enormous strength and relentless energy make it clear that emulating Victor Frankenstein is never a good idea (“He'll chase away your friends... and your pets... and he'll break all your toys”). Numberman is a nimble, funny writer, and he opts for showing rather than telling, his naïf watercolors scoring a punch line every time (the monster's vague resemblance to a giant green Homer Simpson on steroids makes the joke all the funnier). After a terrific debut as an illustrator this spring with the graphic novel–style Joey Fly, Private Eye, Numberman demonstrates his versatility and proves that he can deliver as both author and artist. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)
Recommendation: 4-8 Years
Notes: Fun for Halloween
May 31, 2014
This book falls right in line with titles like "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" or any of the others in Laura Numeroff's series. But the Frankenstein angle really throws a offbeat, neat twist into the works. The monster is such a friendly, funny character and all he wants to do is play! But sometimes, as the boy main character learns, having a giant creature as your best buddy can be a little much. But in the end, the boy realizes how valuable all friends are.
Well-written words and cartoonish artwork combine for a rollicking good picture book. My favorite illustration was one where the boy is reading in his chair and the Frankenstein monster is outside the window peering in. And you can only see the top of the creature's head. The boy is saying something like "He'll never leave you alone." That picture cracked me up every time!
This is a light, quick read that our 3.5 yr old boy AND 7.5 yr old girl enjoyed. That's a rare success to entertain them both so to "Do Not Build a Frankenstein" I say - "job well done!"
Well-written words and cartoonish artwork combine for a rollicking good picture book. My favorite illustration was one where the boy is reading in his chair and the Frankenstein monster is outside the window peering in. And you can only see the top of the creature's head. The boy is saying something like "He'll never leave you alone." That picture cracked me up every time!
This is a light, quick read that our 3.5 yr old boy AND 7.5 yr old girl enjoyed. That's a rare success to entertain them both so to "Do Not Build a Frankenstein" I say - "job well done!"
January 28, 2010
Kind of like a new baby / big brother book, but funny in a way that many new baby / big brother books kind of aren't (Mail Harry to the Moon, etc). The kid in this book warns the kids in his new neighborhood NOT to bother with the research, the trial and error, the hard work that goes into building a Frankenstein... that even though it can be fun to have someone to play with all the time, there are down sides: the monster will scare your friends and pets, and, though he is more than willing to push you on the swing, you have to watch out for how hard he pushes.
In the end, the kids get to decide for themselves whether it's worth it having a Frankenstein around, as the monster shows up and suggests a game of monster tag.
Good fun, with loopy, cartoony Jeff-Kinney-esque illustrations. Some super expressions here, as when the kid goes whizzing around the swingset, or electrocutes himself by mistake.
In the end, the kids get to decide for themselves whether it's worth it having a Frankenstein around, as the monster shows up and suggests a game of monster tag.
Good fun, with loopy, cartoony Jeff-Kinney-esque illustrations. Some super expressions here, as when the kid goes whizzing around the swingset, or electrocutes himself by mistake.
March 17, 2011
A boy clad in winter gear climbs up on a soap box to should at kids in the snow: "DO NOT BUILD A FRANKENSTEIN." He explains how Frankensteins get annoying fast--they break toys, push too hard, and never stop. The only escape is to move away, but even that might not solve the problem.
As a librarian, I love that one of the steps in building Frankenstein depicted in the book was research with books.
The boy's desperate earnestness in expression in the illustrations made me smile. The style of Do Not Build a Frankenstein reminds me a bit of the Click, Clack Moo series.
As a librarian, I love that one of the steps in building Frankenstein depicted in the book was research with books.
The boy's desperate earnestness in expression in the illustrations made me smile. The style of Do Not Build a Frankenstein reminds me a bit of the Click, Clack Moo series.
October 23, 2009
My first time reading this book was in front of a classroom of 1st graders. It's kind of a clever book but the kids just didn't really get it. I tried reading it again later in the day with 3rd graders, and there was definitely a conspicuous silence after I finished. Perhaps kids will like it better reading on their own or one-on-one. They definitely are attracted by the cover, so I think it will get checked out a few times!
October 25, 2009
This title brought great joy to the girls as I read it but I hesitate to translate that enjoyment to a larger audience as we have for storytime due to the "word bubbles" that add to the story. A little boy moves away after building a monster...but surprise!--he's followed along for some fun in a new town.
December 5, 2010
This book is about a young boy that builds a Frankenstein monster. The boy then gets very annoyed at the monster and ditches him. The boy tells all his new friends not to build a monster, but when the kids meet the monster, the boy realizes how cool his monster is. This book taught me that you should not do anything that you aren't prepared to take the consequences for.
October 9, 2012
This book was a great storytime choice to my one young toddler audience. ;-) The story was of a boy who warned others of building their Frankenstein. The words were understandable and illustrations were easy to follow. By the last few pages of the book, the young toddler was able to point at different pictures and objects such as the playing kids.
October 1, 2009
A delightful little story. I was slightly discouraged that the monster was built up so negatively only to be warmly welcomed by the narrator at the end but the art is cute and a great chance to "do" voices.
December 23, 2009
Expressive, humorous illustrations that tell stories within the story. Cute twist at the end with the Frankenstein being welcomed by the kids in the new neighborhood.
For more book reviews, visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
For more book reviews, visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
November 7, 2010
I checked this book out because I'm currently reading the "real" Frankenstein book. It's pretty cute seeing the Frankenstein creator as a child, though I don't know how the grown-up version ends yet, but I bet it doesn't have as happy an ending as this one.
October 14, 2011
This book was very questionable to me. I do not hate it but I do no like it all that much either. It has a lesson for children that says do not believe everything you hear. You just have to really dicuss this book after students read it because the message is not all that clear.
September 15, 2009
Cute and funny book about a boy's warning his friends about the perils of creating your own Frankenstein. Comical illustrations help move this book toward a surprise ending.
September 23, 2009
I LIKE this version of Frankenstein!
April 29, 2010
Presents a series of statements why kids should not build a Frankenstein. Plenty of goofy fun. Ends with a reminder that annoying monsters (could it mean siblings?) can be fun to have around too.
November 4, 2010
Very silly has a good message in the end
May 31, 2012
my older kids at storytime like this one a lot.
June 16, 2012
Cute! Simple and not scary. Good for preschool storytimes.
October 30, 2013
definitely not noteworthy
May 5, 2015
Mostly I felt bad for the monster the boy had created and then ignored. Fun illustrations but not a very satisfying story.
August 31, 2016
This was in a way similar to Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein" and I found it very funny as an adult and think children would as well.
August 16, 2009
monster story for preschoolers possibly
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews