History Literature / TheMonsterAtTheEndOfThisBook

''The Monster at the End of this Book'' is a classic ''Series/SesameStreet'' 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 [[MediumAwareness he's read the title page]] and is afraid to meet the monster.

* SuperStrength: When the reader "pulls down" Grover's brick wall by turning the page, on the next one they find a defeated Grover prone and muttering, "Did you know that you are very strong?"

''The Monster at the End of this Book'' is a classic ''Series/SesameStreet'' 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 [[MediumAwareness he's read the title page]] and is afraid of monsters.

* TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou: Grover warns the reader not to finish the book, as they will surely be devoured by the monster. [[spoiler:He's wrong.]]
** This book is also a rare example where this trope is ''inverted.'' Grover keeps trying to stop the reader from turning pages, but the fourth wall does not protect ''him.''
* HypocriticalHumor: After spending most of the book terrified of the monster, [[spoiler:Grover discovers that ''he's'' the monster]] and immediately admonishes the reader for being so afraid.
** [[TheStinger At the very end]], though:
--->'''Grover:''' "Oh, I am so embarrassed..."

* ProphecyTwist[=/=]TomatoInTheMirror: [[spoiler:Grover is the monster.]]

* [[YouBastard You Meaniehead]]: Grover gets very upset with the reader.

It can be read [[http://smollin.com/michael/tmonstr/mon001.html here]].

* LargeHam: Not in the book, but a proper ''reading'' of the book to small children is '''far''' better if the reader hams it up.

* MediumAwareness
* MinimalistCast: Nobody but Grover appears in the book. No one else at all.

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.

* HypocriticalHumor: After spending most of the book terrified of the monster, [[spoiler: Grover discovers that ''he's'' the monster]] and immediately admonishes the reader for being so afraid.

---'''Grover:''' "Oh, I am so embarrassed..."

* MinimalistCast: Nobody but Grover appears in the book. No-one else at all.

* PostModernism -- for 3 year olds!

* SuperStrength: When the reader 'pulls down' his brick wall by turning the page, on the next one they find a defeated Grover prone and muttering "Did you know that you are very strong?"

-->--'''Grover''': "Oh, I am so embarrassed..."
* LargeHam: not in the book, but a proper ''reading'' of the book to small children is '''far''' better if the reader hams it up.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotDidactic: [[http://www.amazon.com/review/R2KP11CIENXNR7/ This review]] argues that it's really about a deconstruction of free will.

* SuperStrength: When the reader 'pulls down' his brick wall by turning the page, on the next one is a defeated Grover prone and muttering "Did you know that you are very strong?"

* SuperStrength: Grover notes the reader has this when they pull down his brick wall.

''The Monster at the End of this Book'' is a classic ''SesameStreet'' 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 [[MediumAwareness he's read the title page]] and is afraid of monsters.

* PaintingTheFourthWall: 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.

* ProphecyTwist / TomatoInTheMirror: [[spoiler:Grover is the monster.]]