Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today I'm featuring The Monster Who Lost His Mean, a delightful picture book written by Tiffany Strelitz Haber and illustrated by Kirstie Edmunds.

What happens when a monster loses the "m" in his name and becomes an "onster"? He loses his mean! In this imaginative picture book, Onster finds that without his mean, he doesn't really fit in with his monster friends anymore ... What's an Onster to do?

I love that the concept comes from an acrostic. It's such a creative way to start a story and has so many fun story time possibilities. Tiffany's word choice is also inspired, and the rhyme feels natural and fits the story - not so easy to do with picture books.

The illustrations by Kirstie Edmunds are bright and colorful with unforgettable expressions. 

We read this one many times to the son of my critique partner when we stayed with her in August and he loved it so much we had to leave it with him.  What better recommendation is there than that?

And now let's chat with Tiffany!

What is your favorite scene in the book?
My fave scene/spread is,
The Onster thinks,
"I'll throw some eggs at Mr. Landers Van!"
But winds up cooking brunch
for the entire Lander clan.

The reason behind this choice is two-fold. 1) I'm always partial to anything that even hints towards the comsumption of bacon. 2) The contrasting expressions Kirstie was able to capture on the Onster's face in the various images of the spread- are priceless.

What is your favorite line in the book?
"One day the Onster's M went missing. Gone without a trace. And all the Ms are custom made. the kind you can't replace." Pretty sure that was the very first line I wrote of the story...and from there it kinda all fell into place.

What setting was most fun to write?
I always like to write about characters searching for things. So, when The Onster was sort of tearing apart his room, and the town etc...hunting for the missing M...that was filled with opportunites for some really fun rhymes.

Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?
The book is pretty "Onster-centric". Would love to tell some other stories about him. Maybe a prequel about his "Mean" days.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
There have been so many favorite parts along the way! It's kinda like having kids. At first you think- ohmygosh- THIS is the cutest age they will ever be! And then they get a little older, and things change and you feel like, ok definitey THIS age. THIS is unbeatable...etc. Getting word of my first sale was aboslutely amazing. Later on, when I first saw the ARC of the completed book, I nearly died. But now, I find that doing readings and signings and actually being "out there" with a book on the shelves, is the most incredible part of all!

Thanks Tiffany!

The Monster Who Lost His Mean is available now. Find out more about it at the author's website.

FTC disclosure: Bought