Monsters Love School Mike Austin – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Monsters Love School Mike Austin

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2014

81%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Friendly monsters tackle kindergarten jitters in this colorful back-to-school primer that's more functional than magical.

Monsters Love School Mike Austin

book

2014

81%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Friendly monsters tackle kindergarten jitters in this colorful back-to-school primer that's more functional than magical.

4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a solid tool in the back-to-school arsenal, not a beloved classic. Mike Austin's monsters are cute and the message is exactly what anxious pre-K kids need to hear: school is fun, you'll make friends, it's an adventure not a threat.

But let's be real—this book has a job to do in August and September, and then it'll likely sit on the shelf. The 4.8 Amazon rating from parents versus the 3.6 Goodreads rating tells you everything: adults appreciate its utility, but it's not a story kids will beg to hear over and over. The 'ABGs' joke is cute once, the monster twist on classroom activities is charming enough, but there's not much depth here.

If you've got a kid with first-day jitters, this is worth checking out from the library. If your kid already loves school or you're looking for a picture book with staying power, keep browsing. It does its one thing well, but that one thing has a very short shelf life.

Age Fit

Best for ages 3-6, especially kids about to start or just starting pre-K or kindergarten. This is a functional book with a specific job—easing school anxiety—so it has a narrow window of relevance. By first grade, most kids will have moved past needing this kind of reassurance.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Bright, enthusiastic monsters tackle first-day jitters with friendship and cooperation. Common Sense Media notes the monsters are 'cute, enthusiastic, upbeat, not scary' and the book models moving from pre-school anxiety to classroom community. The tone is consistently positive and supportive without being saccharine.

Imaginative

Mike Austin's graphic design background shows in bold, colorful illustrations that give monsters personality. The 'Monster School' concept offers a playful twist on kindergarten routines (learning 'ABGs' instead of ABCs, 'monster history'), but the execution is fairly straightforward—it's more charming than groundbreaking. Invites kids to imagine school as fun rather than scary.

Safe

Zero concerns. These monsters are explicitly designed to be non-threatening for the back-to-school crowd. No scary content, no surprises, no mature themes. Common Sense Media confirms this is gentle kindergarten-level material. Books don't get much safer than this.

Enriching

Directly addresses first-day-of-school anxiety, which is developmentally valuable for 3-6 year olds. Shows classroom routines, friendship-building, and the idea that new experiences can be fun. The 4.8 Amazon rating and positive parent reviews suggest it resonates and provides comfort. Not deeply educational beyond social-emotional support, but that's exactly what pre-K/K kids need for this transition.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Directly addresses first-day-of-school anxiety with upbeat, non-scary monsters that make the classroom feel welcoming
Mike Austin's bold graphic design creates energetic, distinctive monster characters that stand out in the picture book landscape
Shows classroom routines (reading, writing, making friends) in an accessible way that demystifies school for nervous pre-K/K kids
Short, simple text works well for wiggly listeners who need quick reassurance rather than long stories

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What to Watch For

This is a very specific-purpose book—it's a back-to-school tool, not a story you'll reach for in February
The 3.6 Goodreads rating suggests it's solid but not spectacular; parents appreciate its function more than its literary merit
Kids already comfortable with school may find this too basic or obvious

Conversation Starters

"What do you think monster school would teach? What's 'monster history'?"
"The monsters were nervous at first but then had fun. Have you ever felt worried about something new that turned out to be okay?"
"If you went to monster school, what would you want to learn?"
"Which monster do you think you'd want to be friends with?"

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