But...where's the monster?

Most of you will probably remember reading "The Monster at the end of this book" when you were a child. It is a hilarious book about Grover, a bit of a scaredy-cat, being afraid of turning the pages of the book because a monster is supposed to be at the end. But at the end of the book, it turns out that the monster was actually just Grover all along. Cute, right?

Try explaining this to a 2-yr-old. Aiden and I read this book (again) this morning, and he just plain doesn't get it. He laughs and laughs as all through the book as I make a big production and do Grover's voice and insist, "NOOOO! Please please please do NOT turn the page! There is a MONSTER at the end of this book!" Then when we get to the end of the book, I spend at least 10 minutes trying to explain the irony of it all, because Grover actually WAS the monster, and see, he isn't scary at all!

Aiden: Mommy...where is the Monster? Where did he go? Maybe he is sleeping?
Me: No Aiden, see, Grover IS the Monster at the end of the book! Isn't that silly? Grover was the monster all along!
Aiden: Maybe the Monster is at school? (Turning the pages and going back through the book) Or maybe he went to the store? I don't see any monster. Is he taking a nap?
Me: No, see buddy, Grover IS the monster! He was afraid of himself all along! Isn't that soooo silly?
Aiden: Maybe the monster is on this last page....I am afraid of monsters you know.
Me: yeah buddy....maybe he's on that page....good job....

Maybe he'll get it next year...do they teach irony in 3K? :)