The Monstore

Reach for this book when your child is feeling particularly frustrated by a younger sibling who seems to escape consequences or 'invade' their personal space. While it presents as a wacky monster story, it is fundamentally a validation of the complicated feelings that come with sibling rivalry. Zack is tired of his sister, Gracie, and tries to use a monster to keep her away, only to find that his solutions create even more chaos. Appropriate for ages 4 to 8, this story uses humor and fantasy to address the very real impulse to 'fix' or remove a person who is bothering us. It moves from a place of annoyance to an unexpected realization: siblings are persistent, but they can also be surprising allies. Parents will appreciate how it uses the 'Monstore' as a metaphor for the unintended consequences of acting out of spite, all while maintaining a lighthearted and colorful tone.