Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster

by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt, Michelle Nelson-Schmidt (Illustrator)

Overview

Jonathan James’ Whatif Monster asks all kind of questions to stop him trying new things: What if it’s scary? What if they laugh? What if it’s hard? Until finally, Jonathan James has some questions of his own: What if they don’t? What if it isn’t? What then? This child-friendly rhyming tale provides the ideal antidote for every child’s occasional bouts of self-doubt and fear of trying something new.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610671187
Publisher:	Kane Miller
Publication date:	06/01/2012
Series:	Jonathan James Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Michelle Nelson-Schmidt is an award-winning and best-selling author of children's books. She has 32 books in print and over a million books sold. She writes books that deal with social and emotional issues to help empower children to understand their struggles and navigate through them.

Editorial Reviews

"A brilliant message for all ages." — Picture Book Reviews


"This lesson in this book is just the best!" — The Piggy Toes


"All of the "whatif" scenarios are ones that are present in the lives of all children and they will certainly identify with some of the fears presented here." — Reading Today Online

From the Publisher

10/01/2013
PreS-K—This picture book about a child who conquers his fears barely manages to avoid didacticism. The voice of the Whatif Monster, a small green creature with pointed teeth, fills Jonathan James's head with worry and doubt when he tries something new. "What if it's hard?/What if you're bad?/What if they laugh and/make you feel sad?" The rhyming text scans well at the beginning, but falters and sometimes feels forced as the story comes to a conclusion. Jonathan James questions the Whatif Monster: "And what if baseball is nothing but fun,/and I end up hitting a triple home run?" The bold, color illustrations are flat, and the faces of the children are lifeless. The ending, in which the boy finds a best friend after taking a chance, is satisfying and the lesson is a good one, but the book is too lacking in style and consistent charm to recommend.—Maralita L. Freeny, District of Columbia Public Library

School Library Journal