Families who loved Making Friends with Frankenstein by Colin McNaughton often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is in a goofy mood or starts expressing interest in monsters, aliens, and all things gross. It is the perfect antidote to the 'scary' monster trope, using humor and wordplay to strip away the fear of things that go bump in the night. It is especially useful for reluctant readers who respond well to short, punchy bursts of text and high-energy illustrations. The collection features a riot of puns and rhymes about stinky creatures, weird aliens, and iconic monsters like Frankenstein. While it leans heavily into 'gross-out' humor, the underlying emotional theme is one of playful empowerment. It teaches children that they can conquer their fears by laughing at them. Best suited for ages 7 to 12, this is a book meant to be read aloud, ideally with silly voices and dramatic pauses for maximum comedic effect.
