billy and the mini monsters (series)

"Mom, can we read this one?" These days, whenever I hear that question, there's a pretty good chance one of my boys is holding up one of the books from the Billy and the Mini Monsters series, Usborne books written by Zanna Davidson and illustrated by Melanie Williamson. My boys were captivated as soon as I pulled the books out of the box they arrived in, and their love has only grown since then.

Billy is a boy (I would guess around 10 years old) who finds five tiny monsters living in his sock drawer. He winds up saving their life in the first book when they get trapped in the washing machine, and they swear their allegiance to him for life. Captain Snott, Fang Face, Trumpet, Gloop, and Peep may be monsters, but they're actually pretty cute, more so than scary - and Billy takes to them instantly.

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Each book in the series focuses on a different adventure Billy has with these mini monsters. Wherever they end up, trouble seems to follow - at school, during swim lessons, moving house, at a party, even at the airport. The monsters and Billy work together to ultimately sort out their problem, and life continues.

​Although the monsters tend to complicate Billy's life, they also help him grow and learn important lessons. At school, Billy learns to not be intimidated by a bully. At a birthday party, Billy realizes his sister isn't actually that bad, and they can have fun together. At his swim lessons, the monsters help Billy overcome his fear of heights and diving off the diving board. The situations may seems silly on the surface, but the bigger lessons are meaningful and relevant to kids.

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One reason my boys - who are 3 and 5, not yet reading - can't put these books down is that the illustrations are so fun and enticing! The stories are told through a combination of narrative with illustrations and comic strip/graphic novel panels. The illustrations are goofy, colorful, and full of narrative themselves... so kids of all ages can appreciate them! Your kids will love the funny characters and the tense moments, and you'll love listening to endless giggles as you read with them over and over.

It's that book series you will wind up reading again and again, and loving each time.

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Book benefits:

• Engaging stories, characters, and illustrations will keep your kids coming back for more
• Although it helps to start with Monsters in the Dark, subsequent books include a quick recap of how Billy and the monsters met, so you can read books in any order (though I've listed them below in my suggested order)
• Abundance of illustrations will help kids connect with the stories before they can even read
• Stories include important lessons, though they aren't preachy
• It's really fun to come up with voices for each of the mini monsters :) 
• Each book contains 6 chapters - great to split into multiple readings for young readers but not overwhelming to read in one go

Buy Billy and the Mini Monsters books individually or as a set and save 20%!

• Monsters in the Dark (paperback, $4.99)
• Monsters on the Loose (paperback, $4.99)
• Monsters to the Rescue (paperback, $4.99)
• Monsters on a Plane (paperback, $4.99)
• Monsters go Party! (paperback, $4.99)
• Monsters on the Move (paperback, $4.99)
• Billy and the Mini Monsters Complete Set (paperback, $24.99)

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A preview from Monsters in the Dark (click to enlarge) -