Book Review: How To Grow a Monster

By John Rodgers

While Cherokee County students celebrate the end of the school year this month, younger readers are looking forward to a different kind of graduation ceremony at their public library. During the month of May, Sequoyah Regional Library System holds a celebration for graduates of 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, an initiative launched by the Georgia Public Library Service for families in support of early literacy. Children (and their parents) can participate in reading challenges, log milestones, and record the books they’ve read using Beanstack, available from their local library as an app or a website. Families looking to log another title, as they read their way to 1,000, can select How To Grow a Monster by Kiki Thorpe and Barbara Bongini, which is now available at every location within Sequoyah Regional Library System.

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and the Georgia EMC, in partnership with the county Farm Bureau, have donated multiple copies of How To Grow a Monster to SRLS to promote agricultural literacy. The title explores the theme of gardening and includes a gardening-related activity for children to try.

Tapping into the popular “Makers” movement, this book is part of a series of fun, easy-to-read stories that focus on problem solving and hands-on action. The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture even selected this book as its 2022 Book of the Year, citing its accurate and positive portrayal of agriculture. SRLS cardholders with a taste for agricultural history are encouraged to seek this book out to enjoy alongside the children in their lives during their next library visit.

Although the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten graduation ceremony takes place this month, the program itself is ongoing. Parents and caregivers can speak with a library staff member in person or over the phone to sign up, learn about Beanstack, and start setting their young reader up for success.