Book Review: Tickle Monster

12/01/2013

As the countdown to Christmas begins, I’d like to start the holiday season by recommending a book that has become a tradition already, in my daughters’ life. I originally bought the ‘Tickle Monster’ by Josie Bissett, for my husband as a gift for his first Father’s Day. Best. Present. Ever. My daughter was not even five months old at the time, but she was all smiles from the first day he cracked open the book. I’ve written a review of the book below … It would make a GREAT present under the tree this season! If you have a good book to recommend, please add it in the comment section below, as books make FANTASTIC Christmas gifts! Happy reading!
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Bright. Blue. Mittens.
They’re the first thing that jumps out at you, when you open the box. Yes, ‘Tickle Monster’ is a book, but it’s housed in a colourful thick box. With bright blue mittens hanging inside along with the large ‘Tickle Monster’ book . Intriguing? Definitely. Why not play along.
The mittens have large poke through finger holes for any size hands, and fingers. Plenty of space to flex and move your fingers around. If you are going to read the book, it’s mandatory. Put the mitts on.
Tickle monster is a quirky bright blue cartoon ‘monster’ (if you consider a monster to be super hug-and-kissable). Hailing from Planet Tickle, Tickle Monster or TM (as I will fondly refer to him), travels the world doing what he loves to do best, which is tickling. From feet to knees, necks to underarms, there’s plenty of opportunity for TM (ie the wearer of the magical blue mittens) to tickle and delight young readers throughout the book. It’s light. It’s fun. It’s very creative!

The illustrations work beautifully along the with the text. TM is an adorable character, in fact throughout the book the illustrator Kevan J. Atteberry seems to capture the bubbly, light hearted nature of the words by perfectly designing vibrant characters and pictures.
Author Josie Bissett weaves the TM tale simply yet masterfully, by rhyming and using alliterations from beginning to end. She creates … wait. Why do I recognize that name?
Josie Bissett …. Hmmmmm. Yes! That’s where I remember her from. Indulge me a minute here. If you were born in the seventies or eighties you might remember her as Jane Mancini the colourful character on the popular drama Melrose Place. The Jane who, once sweet as apple pie, eventually became evil and at one point planned to kill an enemy in a plot of revenge. How things have changed!
I digress. Back to the blue monster.
The book is targeted for children ages four and up, but I have no hesitation for suggesting it could be read and enjoyed by kids even younger than four.
My daughter is ten months old now and While she doesn’t fully understand it yet, she does speak the simple language of laughter. Everytime the box comes out, you can see the excitement in her eyes. My husband puts on the gloves, and tickles her as the TM which is how it is designed to be read. It’s priceless and so precious to watch. It’s now become his tradition, between father and daughter. One that I know they will have forever.
Laughter is such a precious sound from a child, and this book will no doubt have children everywhere smiling and giggling from head to toe.
Well done Jane. I mean Josie!
What books have become traditions in your house?