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Spike, the Mixed-up Monster

With Audio Recording

Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

About The Book

Meet Spike, a lovable monster—and a real-life salamander—who’s looking for friends in this lively eBook with audio that includes Spanish vocabulary.

Spike is a scary-looking salamander who keeps trying to frighten other animals—until he finds that using fear is not the best way to make friends. And since Spike lives in Mexico (he is an endangered species called the axolotl), this story is peppered with easy-to-understand Spanish words. In addition to a charming tale of friendship, this picture book contains nonfiction information about the axolotl and a Spanish/English glossary.

About The Author

Susan Hood is the author of more than 200 books for children. A former content director of Nick Jr. Magazine and children’s book editor, she has written for parents and early childhood educators in The New York Times, Nick’s ParentsConnect, Sesame Street Parent Guide, Working Mother, and more.

About The Illustrator

Photograph courtesy of the author

Melissa Sweet has illustrated more than eighty children’s books, including the Caldecott Honor books The Right Word and A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams both written by Jen Bryant. She also wrote and illustrated Tupelo Rides the Rails; Carmine: A Little More Red, which was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book; and Balloons Over Broadway, a picture book biography that was named a 2011 Publishers Weekly Best Nonfiction Picture Book. When she is not in her studio, Melissa can be found taking an art class, hiking with her dogs, or riding her bicycle. She lives with her family in Rockport, Maine.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (September 25, 2012)
  • Length: 40 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781442452435
  • Grades: P - 3
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Awards and Honors

  • International Latino Book Award 1st Place
  • Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee (MD)
  • Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended

Resources and Downloads

More books from this illustrator: Melissa Sweet