Go Away, Big Green Monster!

Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley

1992

     Die-cut pages allow the reader to construct and deconstruct a  big green monster in this engaging book.  The first page shows only the big yellow eyes; the next page adds the long bluish-greenish nose; the third page adds the big red mouth with sharp white teeth...and so on until we have constructed page by page the whole green monster. Then comes the kicker: we get to yell at the monster and make him go away: "...YOU DON'T SCARE ME! So GO AWAY"  And now, page by page, we get to deconstruct the monster: first the scraggly purple hair goes away, then the squiggly ears, and the nose...all of it, until the monster is gone. "GO AWAY, Big Green Monster! and DON'T COME BACK! Until I say so."

     Not only is Go Away, Big Green Monster! a great read-aloud, one that the kids soon memorize and join in the read, but it's also a go to book when they are scared and need a way to face their fears.  By constructing the monster and then being able to deconstruct it, they gain the power over their fear.  I'll have to check out the other books by Emberley.