The Monster in the Backpack

About the Book

Having trouble with your backpack zipper? Maybe there’s a monster inside! A little girl slowly warms up to her unexpected guest in this funny story.

When Annie unzips her backpack and finds a monster inside, it’s hard to say who is more shocked. "AAAAHHHH!" yells the monster. "EEEEEEKKKK!" yells Annie. Then the monster proceeds to gobble up Annie’s sandwich, put gum in her boot, and tear up her homework to use as confetti for an "Annie is great" parade during class. With perfect comic timing, this charming story depicts a young girl’s shift from annoyance to affection as a disarming monster makes an untimely appearance.

Praise for The Monster in the Backpack

Spirited and funny...an offbeat alternative to easy readers depicting more orthodox friendships.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

A funny book with brightly-colored, action-filled illustrations.
—Baton Rouge Advocate

Author Lisa Moser’s training in elementary education and reading is obvious. She captures the mindset of her school-aged readers while using attainable vocabulary.
—Richmond Times-Dispatch

Excerpt

Annie's new backpack came with pink and blue flowers.
Annie's new backpack came with a zipper.
Annie's new backpack came with a monster.

Annie unzipped the backpack and peeked inside.
"AAAAHHH!" yelled the monster.

"EEEEEEKKKK!" yelled Annie.
Annie dropped the backpack and jumped across the sidewalk.

She waited one, two, three minutes.

Slowly, slowly she tiptoed across the sidewalk and peeked inside again.

"AAAAAHHHH!" yelled the monster.

"Do you ever whisper?" asked Annie.

"Do you ever knock?" asked the monster.

"How can I knock on a backpack?"

The monster scratched his head. "You're right," he said. "Next time, ring the doorbell."

"What are you doing in my backpack?" Annie asked.

"Eating a snack," said the monster, licking peanut butter off his paws.

"That's not a snack," said Annie. "That's my sandwich!" She reached into the backpack and pulled out some brown squishy things.

"I saved the crusts for you," said the monster.

"Yuck," said Annie. "What else did you save for me?"

"I'll see," said the monster. He dove into the backpack. He threw out an empty juice box, potato-chip crumbs, and a banana peel.

Finally, he popped up with a little bag in his paw. "I don't like carrots," said the Monster. "They make me burp."

Annie zipped the monster into the backpack. "I definitely don't need a
burping monster."

_______

THE MONSTER IN THE BACKPACK by Lisa Moser. Text copyright © 2006 by Lisa Moser. Published by Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.