06/07/2004 Entry: "The X-E Triple Book Review Club."

It's time for X-E's Triple Book Review, an article featuring a look back at...you guessed it, three books. On tap for today is Michelle's Full House Activity Book, Grover's The Monster at the end of this Book, and one of those cheapo dinosaur books all the boys used to get from elementary school book fairs. Hit the blog later for a few updates -- got some reader mail to sort through and some more Shrek crap (sorry, it must be done) to post up. Not sure which'll come first. I will flip an oversized novelty quarter soon enough.

Chestnuts roasted by Aaron @ 06/07/2004 05:40 PM EST

I've got the GB one, too. Damn, should've included it. Next time.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/07/2004 05:41 PM EST

Im embarassed to own the Full House book. I also had every episode on tape. And had the stephanie mini-series books. God, I was gay....

Chestnuts roasted by Mike @ 06/07/2004 05:42 PM EST

The Grover book is not as bad as Oscar's book. My cousin had a Grover book called "Why are you so mean to me"

Chestnuts roasted by pikachulover @ 06/07/2004 05:54 PM EST

At least Matt didn't get drunk and combine all three books into "Grover presents The House Full of Monster Dinos at the End of Michelle." i would have read it anyway.

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 06/07/2004 05:59 PM EST

I had the dinosuar book, and I loved it

Chestnuts roasted by thisguy @ 06/07/2004 06:11 PM EST

I remember getting a Far Side book at a school book fair once,and remember them having hardcover movie storybooks for such films as Santa Claus The Movie and Dune.

Chestnuts roasted by Overlord @ 06/07/2004 06:13 PM EST

He's comeen...
He's comeen...
He's comeen...
He's comeen...

.....He's hee-oh

Chestnuts roasted by Kristal @ 06/07/2004 06:21 PM EST

book fairs were fun. erasers were where it was at. multicolored, dinosaur and monster erasers
but what was better was "R.I.F", (reading is fun) where every kid got to pick out one free book.

for some reason i picked "wild and wacky hockey facts" one year

but when mom volunteered, she'd bring home 9 or 10 books. it was awesome

Chestnuts roasted by george @ 06/07/2004 06:24 PM EST

With remakes ever more popular I think that a Small Wonder Redux would be awesome. What a concept, robot girl, brother, mom and dad, and an evil neighbour who threatens to ruin robot girl. I get chills just thinking about it.

Chestnuts roasted by Brentantation @ 06/07/2004 06:47 PM EST

I loved that Grover book as a kid too. Thanks for some nostalgia, Matt.

Chestnuts roasted by Another Matt @ 06/07/2004 07:05 PM EST

Matt, I LOVED The Monster At the End of This Book. Sesame Street books from the 70's and 80's just plain rock in general.

And you know what else? My seven-year-old sister and brother are watching ABC Family's Full House reruns NONSTOP....and he's fourteen.

"CUT...IT...OUT!"

Chestnuts roasted by Behonkiss @ 06/07/2004 07:12 PM EST

Brentantation, I have seen commercials for the Nickelodeon cartoon called "My Life as a Teenage Robot." Here is a review:
http://www.entertainyourbrain.com/mylifeasateenagerobotrev.htm

Matt, Jim Davis did a Mr. Potatohead comic strip: http://chud.com/news/june04/june7interviewdavis.php3 "Q: Do you have another strip idea in you?

Jim: I did U.S. Acres for a few years which worked well in syndication. Then I did Mr. Potatohead for a couple of years as well. It was something Bret wanted to do and Hasbro had come to us and so we did it for a couple of years and really had fun with it but circulation was not real high. Just a couple of hundred papers but it was really fun to do. It was really strange giving a personality and creating a family for a 50-year-old toy icon."

Chud is giving away some Punky DVD sets: http://chud.com/news/june04/june7contestpunk.php3
Punky clips (Including the magic of Eddie Deezen):
http://chud.com/graphics13/Punky%20B.MOV

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 06/07/2004 07:30 PM EST

awesome...a new post..posty post.

Chestnuts roasted by zombone @ 06/07/2004 07:54 PM EST

I loved that grover book when I was a little kid.

Grover is the coolest character on sesame street because the guy who pupets him also pupets yoda.

Chestnuts roasted by Bright Noah @ 06/07/2004 08:20 PM EST

That Grover book seems familiar. What a great idea for a book though. I wish they had some kind of reflector or mirror on the last page, that would've been cool.

Chestnuts roasted by G4L @ 06/07/2004 08:26 PM EST

Long time reader, first time poster, etc etc. Hey Matt, speaking of Punky, ever thought about doing an article about Punky Brewster (either the live action show or cartoon)? Yes, I used to watch both as a kid. Yes, I deserve to be beaten for it.

Chestnuts roasted by IronMan @ 06/07/2004 08:52 PM EST

Full House was really really scary for me when i was a kid. I can clearly recall the episode where stephanie pierced her ears even though she wasnt allowed. Maybe thats because of all the Star Wars related visuals? (Stephanie's hair buns etc)
Oh Who knows.
By the way Grover is cute but hes no match for ERNIE!

Chestnuts roasted by Allie @ 06/07/2004 09:28 PM EST

Oh, god, my parents probably still have "Monster at the End of This Book" on the shelf with all the other classic Golden Books my sisters and I racked up over the years at their house. Heck, I still read it when I'm over there. It's one of the great, all-time simple-but-effective stories, reverse suspense - DON'T look at the end! And, of course, you can't resist, as Grover's attempts to keep the book from turning get wilder and wilder. Heck, I'll probably end up reading it the next time I visit. And in two months, I'll have a little nephew to pass the insanity on to....

The sticker book also draws faint memories. My sisters and I also bought such books, usually with cartoon characters. I think I might have had one with an ocean theme at one time.

Chestnuts roasted by starwenn @ 06/07/2004 09:37 PM EST

Hey dude, you made a typo... Let's all try to find it! ;D
And I remember that Grover book, I think I still have it somewhere, and I used to love it to bits.

Chestnuts roasted by Dynamite Boy @ 06/07/2004 09:48 PM EST

HA! Seeing that Grover book brought back friggin' memories, man.

Elmo could never hold a candle to Grover, not in a million years. I don't care if his own segment takes up half the show now and mostly features him obsessing over birthday cakes.

Chestnuts roasted by Teirusu @ 06/07/2004 09:59 PM EST

Near. . . .Far!

Grover is great man!

~ I farted!

Chestnuts roasted by Mugzy. . . @ 06/07/2004 10:05 PM EST

I had that dinosaur, as well as a startling number of other dinosaur sticker/activity books, including a series which have 3D dino-pics. I think it was actually a magazine series, where each edition came with a piece of a T-Rex skeleton. A must have for any dino-enthusiast.

Chestnuts roasted by James F.W. @ 06/07/2004 10:12 PM EST

I too had the Grover Book, and read it every friggin' night before bed as a kid. Thanks for the memories, Matt.

I also just read that Transformers Coloring Book review. Jesus Matt, Stephanie, Thundercracker, AND Gear? You must be a superstar at Boggle.

Dead links alert!
www.x-entertainment.com/messages/271.html

C'mon Matt, I demand to see just how heinous these endings were. Either that, or a review of Mac and Me.

Chestnuts roasted by A-wel Cruiz @ 06/07/2004 10:23 PM EST

And Calgary blows it!

Review "Mac and Me"

Chestnuts roasted by A-wel Cruiz @ 06/07/2004 10:53 PM EST

I love the monster at the end of this book. I read it over and over again to my host mum's grandkids when I was on an exchange. I loved the bookfairs when I was a kid, and was amazed that they are still run by the same companies when my brother was in elementary school. He is 11 years younger than me.

Chestnuts roasted by happygirl @ 06/07/2004 11:36 PM EST

Aww, I remember two out of three of those books! Don't remember the Full House one. Can you believe the Olsen Twins are going to be 18 this coming Saturday?

Hmm, speaking of Dinosaurs, does anyone here remember the obscure 80's cartoon Dinosaucers? Maybe someone could dig up some old clips for a future article. *hint* *hint*

Chestnuts roasted by The Dragon @ 06/08/2004 12:02 AM EST

I remember Dinosaucers. It was an interesting idea.

Chestnuts roasted by Former A1C Pete @ 06/08/2004 12:17 AM EST

The dinosaur book reminded me of a show (or movie?) I used to love. It was called Denver the Dinosaur. Anyone remember it?

Chestnuts roasted by Mandie J. @ 06/08/2004 12:35 AM EST

Denver, the lost dinosaur? Hells yeah I remember him. He was my friend, and a whole lot more, or so the song goes. I used to love that show.

Chestnuts roasted by Rob @ 06/08/2004 12:40 AM EST

Correction, that's Denver the LAST dinosaur. I guess he really isn't as good of a friend as I thought. We have been estranged for a long time.

Chestnuts roasted by Rob @ 06/08/2004 12:51 AM EST

Both denver and dinosaucers were great shows.

Chestnuts roasted by Bright Noah @ 06/08/2004 12:51 AM EST

Oh. My. God.

That is my favorite book ever! There was also another Grover book that I liked but I can't remember the name of that one. I also had a puppet of grover and some other grover things. I always hated the pretentious Big Bird and annoying Elmo. It was even worse when I babysitted this little kid who couldn't pronounce my name and called me Elmo. I wanted to scream at him until he cried.

And the book fair, R.I.F., and the book order magazines were always my favorite parts of school.

Thanks for taking me back to the good old days.

Chestnuts roasted by Emmaaaaa @ 06/08/2004 01:00 AM EST

I remember having the grover book as a kid. It's great to see such a fond memory on your site, Matt. We also had several other Sesme Street books from that same publisher.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 06/08/2004 01:15 AM EST

Man-O-Man! so much happening at once on this page! First off, all sesame books did rock in the 70s and 80s.
G4L, I could swear on a grover book that I remember reading a book similar to montser at the end with a mirror on the last page.
Secondly, Please Matt! Punky Brewster was my hero as a kid. I too would love a review good or bad from you!

"Wow! it's the olsen twins! Hey, back when you were in full house, I thought you guys looked like, troll dolls...but I never lost faith in you...hey there's an incription on this medallion...'cut, it, OUT!' HA HA HA HA!" -Clone High Ghandi

Chestnuts roasted by Bitsy&Roary @ 06/08/2004 01:21 AM EST

I had that Grover book and loved it. There was another Grover book where he played Hide-and-Seek with the reader, and terribly. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M RIGHT THERE??" He tried anything to get you to not notice him, including tearing the page up and hiding under the sheet. Finally he just makes a pathetic pleading with you, and cowers in the corner and whimpers, "Do you see Grover? PLEASE SAY NO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE..." Turn the page and he's happy as a clam, as he shouts in big poster words, "YOU SAID NO!!!" Actually, I said yes...every time.

Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 06/08/2004 01:23 AM EST

I had that Grover book as well. Personally, I found it rather creepy. It had this ominous tone, even after I knew about the copout ending. It's like I was expecting the ending to suddenly change one day and find Grover in the mouth of some unholy orc. It still might happen. That orc has waited for so long...he can wait a little longer.

Chestnuts roasted by Phil @ 06/08/2004 01:24 AM EST

God.. the pure horror on Grovers face on some of those pages as he wails: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU LITTLE $#!T, WHYD YOU TURN THE PAGE" made me crack up with delight as a kid. Im so very happy you reviewed this book.. probably my favorite along with "A Dark Dark Tale"..

Chestnuts roasted by AJ @ 06/08/2004 02:06 AM EST

I must add.. I found that they still sell the Grover book at a local supermarket, along with a NEW version something along the lines of "Grover and Elmo and the monster at the end of this book".. it was pretty much the same thing, but with elmo too. I couldnt not buy it.. its somewhere in my room, I think.

Chestnuts roasted by AJ @ 06/08/2004 02:08 AM EST

Allie- I agree. Ernie was my favourite too.

Dynamite-Matt actually made a couple of typos.

Matt-Were those typos intentional?

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 06/08/2004 02:11 AM EST

Y'know, I recall a grover book with nudity in it. That's right. It was a a book where a naked grover got dressed all by himself. I remember my mom helping a foreign friend of mine with her english once by using this book.

I notice that Grover doesn't wear any underwear. But then again, I guess he doesn't really need them as he obviously doesn't have anything that for which underwear would be needed to hold in place if you get my drift.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 06/08/2004 02:15 AM EST

step, hanie. heh.

i loved that grover book, too and it did feel like i was watching tv- except less fun.

Chestnuts roasted by Rachel Cakes @ 06/08/2004 02:25 AM EST

Okay, last post here. I promise.

I shouldn't say that I "noticed" Grover's lack of underwear, as I currently do not have the book. But I DO recall it.

I also have a wonderful story about the book fair, and it involves theft.

No, I didn't do it. It was actually a friend of my brother's who did it. Basically, my friend stole a few books from the book fair. He actually gave my brother one, which happened to be a Goosebumps/Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-like book. I forget the exact name of it, but it had something to do with time travel.

My brother felt so guilty over it, that he actually gave it to me. I read it, not even knowing that it was stolen. And after having gone through every possible ending in that damn CYOA wannabe, I tried to return it to my brother. It was then that I found out the awful truth, and couldn't even bare to look at the book myself.

Now to be honest with all of you, I hated Goosebumps, but I loved Choose Your Own Adventure, as well as other books of the same format. However, I remember really hating this one. And so, finding out that it was stolen was the icing of the cake.

I don't know if that book is still in our own possession today, but it still haunts me in my dreams. And if I ever find it, I shall either return it to its rightful owners (which is unlikely to happen as it has been a long long time and Troll books probably doesn't care anymore), or burn it (which is the more likely of the two options). Jeez, I guess this proves that Goosebumps really can be scary.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 06/08/2004 02:32 AM EST

I too loved the Grover book. And A-wel thanks for rubbing salt in the wound

Chestnuts roasted by Gabbylicious @ 06/08/2004 02:48 AM EST

Ohmigosh! It's "The Monster At The End Of This Book!" I had that one, as well as the hide-and-seek one. Good times, good times.

Chestnuts roasted by Freezair @ 06/08/2004 02:52 AM EST

Matt

Thanks for all the work and time you put into posting these articles. I get a lot of enjoyment out of them. And to think that we are all lucky enough that you have a new one up practically every 3 days. Wow! Good stuff.

BTW! Grover rocks, always has...always will.

Chestnuts roasted by Novaximus @ 06/08/2004 02:52 AM EST

When the book fair came to my elementary school all those years ago, it was in the midst of the whole goosebumps thing...I have too many of them to this day.

But, they also sometimes had these anthologies of 'true' ghost stories and forteana topics which I totally dug. I've reread some of them since, and I was repeatedly exposed to some really brutal and satanic true crime stories.

That's why I'm in a punk band now.

Chestnuts roasted by Cannibalizer @ 06/08/2004 02:53 AM EST

Glorious, Matt! I still have that dinosaur sticker book too, along with a host of other dino stuff. In fact, in 2nd grade my obsession with dinosaurs got me featured in The Washington Post and on the cover of The Baltimore Sun... in living color. Hurrah for dinosaurs!

And the Grover book was... very interesting.

Chestnuts roasted by Wes @ 06/08/2004 03:56 AM EST

Hey, first time caller, long time listener.

Holy Christ, The Monster At The End Of This Book. The book that firmly instilled the fear of Grover in my inner child. I still can't look at Sesame Street with that onscreen without remembering "the fucked up Golden Book" I read way back when. Whatever the magical property this book possesses, it's left a Grover-shaped hole in my brain that will never heal.

Kudos to you for bringing back my most irrational childhood fears back in review form.

Chestnuts roasted by wal-rus assault @ 06/08/2004 04:08 AM EST

There's a monster at the end of this...errrr...comment. In any case, I adored that book when I was a kid--it (along with the Pokey Little Puppy) was my favorite Golden Book. Blast from the past for me!

Chestnuts roasted by shelly @ 06/08/2004 06:54 AM EST

baseball grease

Chestnuts roasted by zombone @ 06/08/2004 07:42 AM EST

Nate, if you're talking about typos at the end of the intro, yes.

If you're talking about others, no.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/08/2004 07:53 AM EST

Great review Matt! I used to love that Grover book!
I guess I shouldn't read your articles at work, though, since I tend to burst out laughing. Co-workers walk by and stare at me like I am deranged.

Chestnuts roasted by Nikki @ 06/08/2004 10:00 AM EST

Does anybody remember the "My teacher is an alien" series of books? I remember getting a bunch of them at a book fair once. In the last one the kid went into space with his teacher on a big ass space ship.

Chestnuts roasted by Bright Noah @ 06/08/2004 11:22 AM EST

Laughing out loud is no problem for me, everybody knows I'm deranged.

Zabagabee!

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 06/08/2004 11:30 AM EST

I uysed to LOVE "There's a monster at the end of this book." I personal favorite part was when he built a brick wall over the page and when you turned it, the wall was a pile on top of Grover. Good times. I knew that demon Elmo would be trouble when he turned up in the sequel.

Chestnuts roasted by The Dragonrider @ 06/08/2004 11:57 AM EST

Good call, DR -- complete with the sloppy gray cement shit that forever made me slightly obsessed with brick.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/08/2004 12:00 PM EST

Bright Noah
Heck yeah i remember my teacher is an alien. i liked the second one the best.

Chestnuts roasted by john v @ 06/08/2004 12:28 PM EST

I loved TMATEOTB (The Monster at the End of This Book). I was taken quite by surprise when grover was revealed to be the monster. I want the non-released unedited version in which Grover is mutilated and eaten by a giant Slor and he curses you with his dying breath.
Good times.

Chestnuts roasted by Stilewalker @ 06/08/2004 01:10 PM EST

One of my favorite "Young Reader" books was called My Best Friends an Android, or My Andriod Son, or was it I Am an Andriod, and That Guy Built Me.
ANyway, the lonely professor builds an Andriod who he raises like a son. It is about his quirks and hijinks in school and of course stopping crime. They actually amde a TV series out of it. What the heck was that book?

Chestnuts roasted by Stilewalker @ 06/08/2004 01:14 PM EST

In the "Trivia Fun" section of the Full House book, number 3 has two answers, A & C. Depends on which season you're talking about. Yes, I feel really lame right now...

Chestnuts roasted by Katie @ 06/08/2004 01:28 PM EST

Gover was really great when he was a waiter and annoyed the hell outta people, and never got fired! Heh, GOOD TIMES. By the by, I just saw the worst corey haim movie ever, The Backlot Murders. He plays a guy in a really bad band and gets himself killed only after fondling some chick, kinda gross. Stupid Corey Haim... BUT ITS ALL I GOT!!!

Chestnuts roasted by BettieBoo @ 06/08/2004 01:49 PM EST

My stepsister had that Grover book. It was very clever.

There used to be a book/tape thing that would play different sounds depending on your choice in the choose your own adventure style book. There was one with Grover called "Don't Push the Red Button." It ruled.

These should definitely be reviewed on X-E.

Chestnuts roasted by Ubu Rex @ 06/08/2004 03:31 PM EST

Matt-LOL. That's OK though. We all make typos. And I don't think you should be so hard on yourself about your reading skills. You're an awesome writer with an awesome style. You break the so-called rules regarding the press and go your own way. And it may be a simpler style in terms of grammar and vocabulary, but that doesn't mean it's lacking in sharp wit and extreme intelligence. Your writing has a way of cracking me up and admiring your cleverness. So please, DO NOT underestimate yourself.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 06/08/2004 03:36 PM EST

Matt: Why is there a secret link t Retro Crush hidden in the picture of Grover in the banner headline for the story?

Is this something that happens often in stories, and I have just now noticed?

Chestnuts roasted by Ubu Rex @ 06/08/2004 03:38 PM EST

Oops. Typo.

"...admiring your cleverness." should be "...enabling me to admire your cleverness."

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 06/08/2004 03:39 PM EST

Ubu, there's a hidden link like that in almost all of the articles. (well, the ones from the past couple o months) Sometimes they're offsite links, sometimes old articles, or sometimes something much stranger.

Chestnuts roasted by Egg Finder @ 06/08/2004 03:40 PM EST

Heh, shows how observant I am. I haven't been reading as much as I used to, for some reason.

I still miss the X-E forums.

Chestnuts roasted by Ubu Rex @ 06/08/2004 03:48 PM EST

Once my sisters were watching Dinosaucers, and I was in the room asleep, and it kept getting into my dreams (they were playing soccer, I think), and I was trying to dream about an evil blond woman with an evil marionette and a nice vest, but dinosaurs playing soccer kept wandering in. I think it pissed her off.

Chestnuts roasted by Goz @ 06/08/2004 03:59 PM EST

I think the fish are watching me. Anyway, I always likeded Grover. His enthusiasm in the face of his situations gave all us klutzy oafs everywhere hope. Super Grover rules! "And I'm cute, too!"

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 06/08/2004 04:16 PM EST

Does any one remember the Dinosaurs T. V. show?? With the smart ass baby??? THAT was a good show my friends...

Chestnuts roasted by Jerry Blank @ 06/08/2004 04:19 PM EST

NOT THE MAMA! I still have the Sesame Street single "Things to do on a rainy day". I loved Grover, but that song can get stuck in your head and its really quite deranged. Just clap your hands with a clap clap clappy clap clappy clappy clap clap cloooooooooo!

Chestnuts roasted by Blah...blah @ 06/08/2004 04:55 PM EST

Matt.. oddly enough, I just purchased The Monster at the end of this Book a few weeks ago at a thrift store.. - what creative genius..

Chestnuts roasted by Brian Hammons @ 06/08/2004 05:40 PM EST

To answer stilewalker's question: I believe you're referring to the "Not Quite Human" series, which most will remember as those movies they used to show on the Disney Channel when it was actually good.

Also, I recently found the Dinosaurs TV show on a used tape. That show rocked!
"Not the pajamas! Not the pajamaaas!"

Chestnuts roasted by Cheaptrick @ 06/08/2004 05:46 PM EST

MATT- Awesome as always. Love your articles- you always throw out somthing I was sure only I remembered or cared about!! Nice to see that others too loved that Grover book! Also- DENVER THE LAST DINOSAUR ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!

Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 06/08/2004 06:29 PM EST

the article as always was excelent, though in itself it didn't move me to post. it was the background of the article that got me. My parents were the types that encouraged me to read everything I could get my hands on, now I'm a geek, thanks mom, anyways, I remember that "golden Books" logo very fondly. and expecially the tugboat right before mickey. That was my favorite story, though I don't remember the name now.

Chestnuts roasted by brandon @ 06/08/2004 06:37 PM EST

Hey Stilewalker,

Is the movie that was inspired by those books you talked about Not Quite Human?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093649/

And proof that the movies were based on books.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0568588/

Chestnuts roasted by Teirusu @ 06/08/2004 06:48 PM EST

Wow, look at Grover's inner torment.

Chestnuts roasted by 47i4i @ 06/08/2004 06:50 PM EST

The full house book could have been worse..."Dave Coulier's Full house of activities" comes to mind. OH how about "There's a Dave Coulier at the end of this book" muahahha Grover beware! Robo Coulier is coming to get you!

Yeah monster at the end was my fav book as a kid too

Chestnuts roasted by heeloyd @ 06/08/2004 07:04 PM EST

....so when i was like 4 and trying to read through the grover book i was really creeped out to see what the hell was at the end of the book ..... sad thing was by the time i re-read it like a few days later I WAS STILL CREEPED OUT.... i was a stupid child ....

Chestnuts roasted by Matt (ok not really just Graves in a clever disguise) @ 06/08/2004 07:06 PM EST

heeloyd

And don't forget Dave Coulier and Other Monsters...

Katie

Don't worry, I was thinking the same thing...the first season, DJ and Steph shared a room...then after Michelle grew, DJ got her own room, and so Steph had to share her room with Michelle. Yes, I know, I'm pathetic.

Chestnuts roasted by The Dragon @ 06/08/2004 08:45 PM EST

Matt... your best work in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time! I haven't laughed like that in a while. Thanks.

Chestnuts roasted by Kaynyne @ 06/08/2004 09:13 PM EST

Why, I believe this was my favorite review(s?) ever.

Chestnuts roasted by Denise @ 06/08/2004 09:32 PM EST

Woo, I definitely had that Grover book. Still might in the basement somewhere. Also, I have Denver the Last Dinosaur on tape, from TV. Living in Denver and all, that was... so speshul. ^^; I tried watching it recently, and dear lord but the whiny eighties voices and slang and "look" just killed me...

Chestnuts roasted by Amanda Swiftgold @ 06/09/2004 12:16 AM EST

Hey...has anyone ever heard of the 'MoonDreamers'? or did I drink acid in my orange juice every saturday after watching my little pony?

Because noone has heard of that show. Or the toys. Am I alone?

Chestnuts roasted by Bitsy&Roary @ 06/09/2004 12:19 AM EST

Yes, I too had the Grover book. Classic shit. If that Full House book is unauthorized it should have included controversial trivia..

1) How much blow does Bob Saget do before each take?

2) How many little boys has Dave Coullier molested on the set?

3) Why do we give a shit about Candace Cameron or Julie Sweetin(sp)?

4) How many gallons of cum has Kimmie Gibbler guzzled in her lifetime?

5) What year do the Olsen Twins become the #1 selling pornstars in Japan for movies that feature goat beastiality?

I don't know, it just seems to be more unauthorized...boredom is a horrible thing sometimes....

Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 06/09/2004 12:43 AM EST

I'd still put the Monster At The End Of This Book on my list of greatest books ever written in the history of ink & parchment.

I call dibs on the review of Cookie Monster & the Cookie Tree.

Chestnuts roasted by Mike Fireball @ 06/09/2004 12:51 AM EST

hehe...kimmie gibbler aka cummy guzzler...

Couldn't resist...-_-;

Chestnuts roasted by heeloyd @ 06/09/2004 01:05 AM EST

Great review!
I actually read that book about once every few weeks. I'm a daycare teacher and my kids go crazy for that book. I had completely forgotten about until one fateful day when one of the kids brought it into class.

My favorite book as a kid? Owley..

Chestnuts roasted by hugsnstuff @ 06/09/2004 01:08 AM EST

yeah, my co-workers think that i am a weirdo too. They walk by and see me reading about full house, its kinda awkward.

Chestnuts roasted by zombone @ 06/09/2004 07:23 AM EST

"I'm the baby gotta love me. Big purple eyes, I'm very cuddley. Don't you think that everyone should have one of me...OR THREE"

Chestnuts roasted by Got Nothin' @ 06/09/2004 08:11 AM EST

I remember watching Full House when I was younger. I tolerated most of the cast, but I friggin hated Joey. He always pissed me off, wanting to be a comedian, but only doing lame jokes and cartoon voices. The guy was clearly out of touch with comedy acts in the 80's.

Chestnuts roasted by Number5 @ 06/09/2004 08:12 AM EST

Thank you very much, Cheaptrick & Teirusu. That was it! I REALLY liked those books.

Chestnuts roasted by Stilewalker @ 06/09/2004 08:52 AM EST

Now I am not one to suggest articles, Matt has it WELL under control and I doubt he needs our advice, but I think it would be fun to review the crappy movies (that I thouroughly enjoyed, sadly) starring our favorite barbarian twins: Peter and David Paul. Anybody rememebr these guys?

Chestnuts roasted by Stilewalker @ 06/09/2004 08:55 AM EST

Ah, the Barbarian Brothers. What movies they did do proved that they were famous for being famous.

I'm with heeloyd, weird daydreams about Kimmy Gibbler.

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 06/09/2004 11:40 AM EST

If you like muppets, check out this site. http://maddox.xmission.com/muppet.html
Its HI-Larious. And Snnuffleupagus rules.

Chestnuts roasted by Lonewolf @ 06/09/2004 02:07 PM EST

Here's a great essay about The Monster At The End Of This Book:

http://www.dailynebraskan.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2002/04/10/3cb3b7c23c4f7?in_archive=1

Chestnuts roasted by cloudnin @ 06/09/2004 02:32 PM EST

HOLY FLERKING SHNIT! I've not seen that Grover book in years. I think one of my little sisters may actually still have it, honestly. I'm not too sure though. I remember it being rather beat up by the time it was out of my possession..... Anyways, thanks for a blast from the past.

Chestnuts roasted by Darkstar @ 06/09/2004 02:59 PM EST

America, where are you now?
Don't you care about your sons and daughters?
Don't you know we need you now,
We can't fight alone against the Monster.
(just felt like quoting Steppenwolf)

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 06/09/2004 03:11 PM EST

Old Sesame Street books were a big part of my childhood. I used to have all of the "Sesame Street Treasury" collection with the Big Bird bookends to go with it. Unfortunately, my mother thought it was a good idea to give them to my nephew who would end up destroying them after 2 or 3 days.

Click to see a picture of the collection w/bookends: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=279&item=6904222868&rd=1

Speaking of monsters, Little Monsters was on the other night and I had to tape it. Then I jump online the next day and find out that it was recently released on DVD. Good stuff to pick up with your Punky DVD.

More off topic junk: Has anybody mentioned that Nick is having an Old School pick of the day every weekday throughout the month of June? You Can't Do That On Television has already been shown twice and Salute Your Shorts was also on. You can vote for the show you want to see at Nick's site.

Old School Pick is at 5:30pm EST.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt (#2?) @ 06/09/2004 03:41 PM EST

Also, here's a picture of the Library collection which is inferior to the Treasury set, as we all know that the 80s wipes the floor with anything the 70s had to offer. (just a cheap shot at Aaron)

For the record, Aaron is the name of my nephew that I mentioned before. That's funny.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=279&item=6903655890&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

Chestnuts roasted by Matt (#2?) @ 06/09/2004 03:56 PM EST

Cabbage Patch Doll Dash: http://ms.radio-canada.ca/archives/2002/en/wmv/christmas19831125et1.wmv Found it while reading Fark comments on a woman who got her Cabbage Patch 19 years later because a postal worker had stolen it: http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=988318

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 06/09/2004 04:37 PM EST

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6101829347#ebayphotohosting

Matt -
Off topic, here's your chance to own a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turltes arcade game. Do you have the MAMA emulation of it?

Chestnuts roasted by Joe @ 06/09/2004 07:35 PM EST

Great article! I had the dino book, and I have There's a Monster...to this day. I loved the Grover books growing up. I'll ditto what Mars said: my favorite book (perhaps of all time) is the Hide and Seek with Grover book. Comedy, graphic style, and a sappy, heart warming ending. Look, I'm not made out of stone: show me Grover crying with joy because I said I can't see him, and you've got me. I'm only human---what do you want from me?

I love the site, I love the articles---many thanks, and keep 'em coming.

Chestnuts roasted by UberUnder @ 06/09/2004 07:56 PM EST

Awww, but that's not the 4 Player TMNT. That's not the one I remember

Chestnuts roasted by Number5 @ 06/09/2004 08:44 PM EST

The Monster at the end of this Book, was such a great book. However, it ended up in the "bag of the give away toys." Stil, I feel lucky to have at least read it cover to cover, and remember the memorable book cover. Has anyone else been as lucky as me?

Chestnuts roasted by Dancer @ 06/09/2004 08:57 PM EST

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13716&item=6102122441&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

Someone has the 4 player version too!

Chestnuts roasted by Joe @ 06/09/2004 11:12 PM EST

HAHAHA! Oh god cloundini was that essay so full of BS (Im really sorry, but I could not stop laughing). Anyway, changing the subjest on one of my insane tangents just like Lemony Snicket, I am just curious of what you think of the Post-Rareware FUCKING BETRAYAL & SELL-OUT, DEOnkey Kong games (such as Donkey konga and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat). Also, are any of you still pissed off about Rareware SELLING OUT LIKE FRIGGING ASSHOLES TO THE EVIL CORPORATION OF MICROSOFT?!

Chestnuts roasted by TOM @ 06/09/2004 11:30 PM EST

Sorry for the weirdness back in my last post, but I just really wanna know.

Chestnuts roasted by TOM @ 06/09/2004 11:39 PM EST

Yeah, that was pretty weird.

Fact: Nintendo sold Rare. Nintendo sold Rare with total knowledge and with total willingness. Microsoft bought it because Microsoft buys everything.

Fact: Rare was really slipping and had to go. Star Fox Adventures was garbage(play Beyond Good and Evil for an example of how the game should have REALLY been). Grabbed by the Ghoulies was even worse, a total embarrassment for M$. The new Conker is looking better...well, for Rare's sake let's hope so.

Fact: I wouldn't call Donkey Konga or Jungle Beat sell-outs because they'll be lucky if they sell anything. And ain't that sad, because every single person that went to E3 absolutely loved Jungle Beat. What is also sad, and maybe what's gotten you so irate, is that with Rare went the Rare humor, and we'll never get a funny DK again. DK64 may have been really bad gameplaywise, but it was also really hilarious. Cranky writing the manual was classic.

Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 06/10/2004 03:04 AM EST

Oh man! I can't believe you reviewed that damn Grover book! I had completely forgot about that thing. Great reviews man, I almost pissed my pants.

Speaking of nostalgic stuff, anyone remember Karate Kat?

Chestnuts roasted by Borowiak @ 06/10/2004 05:14 AM EST

hahaha i remember this grover book its probly with all my other children books i gave my cousin a long time ago shes like 10 or somthing now , but i remember reading that book over and over and over again. plus i remember that dinosour book to only i think i read it once or twice. nice review matt!

Chestnuts roasted by hitman42o @ 06/10/2004 09:19 AM EST

A great book I recently stumbled upon in my closet form long ago..."Cream of the Creature from the School Cafeteria" I loved this book above all others for its unique views of cafeteria food and the monster eats the principal. Its Awesome, if anyone gets the opportunity read it.

Chestnuts roasted by Lonewolf @ 06/10/2004 02:26 PM EST

AS some other readers already mentioned, there's a sequel to "The Monster at the end of this Book" with Grover and Elmo as the stars. Again, Grover doesn't want to go to the end of the book. One problem though: Elmo LOVES monsters, and encourages the reader keep going to the end of the book. He's like a complete opposite of Grover! Anyway, this time Grover comes up with four different methods of keeping you from reaching the end, instead of three like last time. At one point, Grover tells Elmo that even though the monster may turn out to be a friendly monster like last time, it may also turn out to be a big scary monster. Eventually, Grover gives up and decides to go with Elmo to see the monster. He then tells Elmo to go to the back of the book. Then he counts to three and screams "TURN THE PAGE!" The next page features Grover and Elmo screaming at each other in front of a yellow background (not a book backround). Then they're both like, "I never thought the monster at the end of this book would be you!", prompting them to repeatedly say "You" to each other. At the "epilouge" Elmo leaves, saying he's going back two pages to see the monster again.

Chestnuts roasted by NES Boy @ 06/10/2004 05:41 PM EST

Mars, I LIKED GRABBED BY THE GHOULIES!!! Even though they will never equal the games by RARE, I think that DK Jungle Beat and Donkey Konga sound pretty good, even though some idiots say otherwhise (Like a lot of the guys at dkvine.com

Chestnuts roasted by TOM @ 06/10/2004 08:16 PM EST

I loved 'The Monster at the End of This Book' so much when I was little. My Mom used to do this Grover voice when she read it... I too noticed a new version on eBay using Elmo. What a disgrace-- Grover has always been cooler than Elmo.

Chestnuts roasted by snowcalico @ 06/11/2004 09:59 AM EST

Holy shit! I haven't been coming here enough lately. One of my favourite childhood books is Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum, the one with the museum I still dream of visiting, with the Big Things room and the Small Things room and the Things that Live Underwater room and the Things that Tickle You room. Fuck the Smithsonian, if there isn't a Things that Tickle You room, it ain't worth shit.

Chestnuts roasted by Steve Brandon @ 06/12/2004 01:00 AM EST

Long time reader, first time commenter. Anyways, I actually have the Full House book ( I remember getting it as part of some variety pack at one of those school book order things. You know, where you would order books and stuff through your teacher and 6-8 weeks later, they would come in). Also, I believe I remember that "There is a Monster at the end of this book", either that or I'm getting it confused with that book where Grover goes to the musuem.

As with all your fine articles, Matt, 'twas good. Keep it up.

Chestnuts roasted by Champthom @ 06/12/2004 10:35 AM EST

hey i found JD 2 times in the search a word. i love coming to this site becuase i always find things that i forgot about like that grover book, i used to love that one.

Chestnuts roasted by tom @ 06/12/2004 11:15 AM EST

If this was the case, Two of a Kind wouldn't have paved the way for more of the time's child stars to lash out against stereotype and remain hip and spotlighted well past the cancellation of their debut show. And if that was the case, I wouldn't have to blindfold myself before channel surfing in fear of seeing the resurgent Raven Simone, now much older and much much scarier.

I can't believe I'm the only one who noticed this, but I must be the only one who thinks Raven is pretty cute...and by the way, someone brought up the forum, I was also a Topanga fan...

Chestnuts roasted by whitemale_98/competent soldier @ 06/12/2004 11:25 AM EST

By the way, I should've put the top line in quotes, that was something Matt said in his article...Makes me wonder what Matt tastes in women runs towards...maybe Fiona Apple?

The battle against "Matt-el" continues.

Chestnuts roasted by whitemale_98/competent soldier @ 06/12/2004 11:28 AM EST

Actually, Raven has grown on me a bit, if only for her willingness to show ass (not in the literal way) on her show.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 06/12/2004 11:33 AM EST

Elmo's taken over Sesame Street, annoyingly so, including the best children's book not written by Dr. Seuss! I'm annoyed. Golden Books were practically a staple of my early reading. They have everybody--Muppets, Looney Tunes, Disney, fairy tales, bible stories,--they so rule the kiddie section!

Book fairs were where I learned that Flash Gordon was a comic before becoming a cartoon! Also where I picked up my Pac-Man joke book, and I think my first exposure to Choose Your Own Adventure (r) books, the coolest and most ripped off reading material on the planet.

I found a Punky Brewster (animated version) video tape at Big Lots. For some reason, the picture keeps tracking. If you ever do want to review it, Matt, as has been suggested, see me first.

I'm going to see Shrek 2 possibly today. Just thought I'd add that.

Chestnuts roasted by ShadowWing the Technorganic Muppet:) @ 06/12/2004 02:24 PM EST

I remember reading "The Monster at the End of This Book" and laughing my head off at all the different things Grover did to try to prevent us from finishing the thing. Yet another winning article for you, Matt.

Chestnuts roasted by Scott @ 06/12/2004 04:44 PM EST

I remember all 3 books... freaky huh? The dino one was a favorite for when I was gonna be a dinologist and dig up dead dinos... then I saw jurasic park and that was ruined. As for the Grover book... by the time I could read I had torn the last page out of the book and probably ate it for the fiber content... which had damaged my psychie for years to come reading to get to the monster at the end of the book and finding the end of the book gone! In my mind torn away by the monster to keep me awake at night

Chestnuts roasted by Greg @ 06/12/2004 08:54 PM EST

i remember my first day of school - junior year, I wore a dress and read "There's a Monster at the End of this Book" to a bunch of peers in the bleachers using my best impersonation of Grover

Chestnuts roasted by puke7 @ 06/14/2004 12:32 AM EST

"There's A Monster at the End of this Book" holds special significance for me in my life. This was the first book that ever made me think. In the end when Grover realizes that in fact HE is the monster, dosen't that teach us something about ourselves? I mean in some way, aren't we the monster in many ways. I think so.

Chestnuts roasted by Wilt Chamberlin @ 06/14/2004 10:38 AM EST

"Hey...has anyone ever heard of the 'MoonDreamers'? or did I drink acid in my orange juice every saturday after watching my little pony?" - Bitsy&Roary

(Excellent!)

Um, anyway, you aren't insane. There were little glowing dolls and freak animals called "Moon Dreamers" and they had a cartoon. I think Tabby's Page had a list of characters and such: http://tabbymlp.tripod.com/index.html (Great resource for collectors of girly toys; or it used to be, I haven't visited in a while)

And Matt, you TOTALLY have to do that f-ing insane "Punky Brewster" cartoon! (In Jar-Jar Binks-ish voice.) "Glomer love Punky-friend!!!" AIGGGGH!!!!

Chestnuts roasted by LaGremlin @ 06/16/2004 01:03 PM EST

Ah, the joy of "There's A Monster at the End of This Book". I think I even have that lying around somewhere, I loved it as a child. I too was captivated by the idea that...::dramatic pause::...Grover was the monster!

Chestnuts roasted by KB @ 06/16/2004 10:07 PM EST

The Monster at the end of this book was definitely my favorite childrens book! Grover tried so hard to stop you.

Chestnuts roasted by The Milkman @ 06/17/2004 01:33 AM EST

That's insane... the book in the background of the article (with Mickey, Donald, and the Engine that could)... I had that book as a kid! It was truely the best book I ever owned.

Chestnuts roasted by JDK @ 06/20/2004 01:37 AM EST

I love the Grover book! I would read it every night when I was little

I'm so sad that I ended up giving it to my cousin. I loved how he would try anything to keep the pages shut, and begged and pleaded. And I always felt bad about the embarassment.

Chestnuts roasted by Briana @ 06/21/2004 02:48 AM EST

Yay! Today's my Birthday!!!!!!!!!! (and twenty-one million exclamation marks

Chestnuts roasted by Dancer (who else?) @ 07/02/2004 01:43 AM EST

Yay! Today's my Birthday!!!!!!!!!! (and twenty-one million exclamation marks )

Chestnuts roasted by Dancer (who else?) @ 07/02/2004 01:44 AM EST

You are a God! Not just anyone would review the greatest Sesame Street book in the history of the world! Rock and roll!

Chestnuts roasted by K Billy @ 07/02/2004 03:07 PM EST

I --STILL-- have this book. One of the all time best ever. I nearly tore the pages trying to defeat Grover's defenses. *sigh*

Chestnuts roasted by debaser51 @ 08/26/2004 01:14 PM EST

THANK YOU

I loved that grover boko as a kid.

This column was very funny to read, keep up the good work.

Chestnuts roasted by Orientis @ 08/26/2004 01:20 PM EST

Err... Boko is ancient smeltish for book.
I swear.

Chestnuts roasted by Orientis @ 08/26/2004 01:22 PM EST

Heh I had that Grover book, I loved it. I had forgotten about it.

Chestnuts roasted by lilcat999 @ 08/26/2004 01:27 PM EST

I didn't have any of these specific books, but being 28 I totally relate! Thanks for this great review man! Brought back memories of those "book fairs". What crap were they peddling??? My parents must have spent $1,000 on Garfield comics alone! (And they weren't even all that funny)

Chestnuts roasted by Jumbalia @ 08/26/2004 01:53 PM EST

I came for the Monster At The End Of This Book review, but stayed for the Olsen travesty. So funny I was crying!. Thanks.

Chestnuts roasted by Mr. Pibb @ 08/26/2004 02:48 PM EST

OMG GROVER IS THE K3WL3ST!!!!!!!!! ROFL!!!!!!!!!!

THERE'S A MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK IF U TURN THE FUCKING PAGE IM GONNA FUCKING DIE SO STOP TURNING THE PAGES YOU RETARD OMFG LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chestnuts roasted by Drew Curtis @ 08/26/2004 03:02 PM EST

Very entertaining article. Good job.

Chestnuts roasted by JJ @ 08/26/2004 03:11 PM EST

There was also a Sesame Street branded child's cassette recorder. The tape casette was for a game with Grover called 'Not Pressing the Red Button' (player's buttons were color coded - each one played a different track on the cassette). Of course if you did keep pressing the red button you heard Grover, who just kept getting angrier and angrier...here's a grown man in the toy department of Target laughing his head off listening to a kid's toy...

Chestnuts roasted by Dave from indy @ 08/26/2004 03:30 PM EST

This was too cool, our schools must have had the same troll book club order forms. lol. I had 2 out of 3 books.

Chestnuts roasted by Amy @ 08/26/2004 04:03 PM EST

This was too cool, our schools must have had the same troll book club order forms. lol. I had 2 out of 3 books.

Chestnuts roasted by Amy @ 08/26/2004 04:03 PM EST

This was too cool, our schools must have had the same troll book club order forms. lol. I had 2 out of 3 books.

Chestnuts roasted by Amy @ 08/26/2004 04:03 PM EST

I still have the Grover book and my 3 year old loves it. I bet I read it to him 5 times a week for bed time. He has the whole thing memorized and reads it or recites it back to us.

Chestnuts roasted by Qwikstreet @ 08/26/2004 05:47 PM EST

I'm John Kerry, and I endorsed Grover trying to escape from the Monster at the End of the Book.

Chestnuts roasted by John Kerry @ 08/26/2004 06:11 PM EST

I'm John Kerry, and I endorsed Grover trying to escape from the Monster at the End of the Book.

Chestnuts roasted by John Kerry @ 08/26/2004 06:11 PM EST

Thanks for bringing back the memories with the Grover book. It was always one of my favorites !

Chestnuts roasted by Jdogg @ 08/26/2004 06:49 PM EST

Dude, like woah dude that blue dude is like totally sweet and bad and stuff. Man thats some wild stuff man, like totally cool man. Dude you do not know how cool that blue muppet man is it like man that is the best thing. I think that he makes me want snow cones man. Like blueberry snow cones.This site rocks man. Rock on furry blue man dude.

Chestnuts roasted by Spicoli @ 08/26/2004 10:46 PM EST

Dude, like woah dude that blue dude is like totally sweet and bad and stuff. Man thats some wild stuff man, like totally cool man. Dude you do not know how cool that blue muppet man is it like dude that is the best thing. I think that he makes me want snow cones man. Like blueberry snow cones.This site rocks man. Rock on furry blue man dude.

Chestnuts roasted by Spicoli @ 08/26/2004 10:47 PM EST

OH MY GOD - i still have this book and I read it to the students in my kindergarten class!!!!!

Chestnuts roasted by Dina @ 09/01/2004 11:15 AM EST