The Monster at the End of This Book



The Monster at the End of this Book is a classic Sesame Street picture book written by Jon Stone and illustrated by Mike Smollin. It consists entirely of Grover pleading with the reader, more and more desperately, to stop reading the book -- because he's read the title page and is afraid of monsters.

In 1996, a sequel was published, titled Another Monster at the End of This Book, in which Grover is joined by Elmo. There, Grover again attempts to stop the reader from making it to the end of the book, while Elmo encourages the reader to continue reading.

It can be read here.


 * End of Series Awareness: Grover can tell that the end of the book is coming, and gets more and more frightened about it.
 * The Fourth Wall Will Not Protect You: Grover warns the reader not to finish the book, as they will surely be devoured by the monster.
 * Hypocritical Humor: After spending most of the book terrified of the monster,  and immediately admonishes the reader for being so afraid.
 * Medium Awareness
 * No Fourth Wall: None whatsoever; Grover spends the entire book addressing the reader.
 * Painting the Medium: Grover goes to greater and greater lengths to keep the reader from turning the page (as he's afraid of the monster at the end of the book). He ties the pages together, attempts to nail them down, and builds a brick wall, all to no avail.
 * Prophecy Twist/Tomato in the Mirror:
 * The Stinger: "Oh, I am so embarrassed."
 * Super Strength: Grover notes the reader has this when they pull down his brick wall.
 * Where? Where?: The book as a whole is an extended version.
 * Written Sound Effect: "BONK BAM BING KLONK BONK BING!" as Grover attempts to hammer the pages together to keep the reader from turning them.
 * You Meaniehead: Grover gets very upset with the reader.