The Mission of Little Green Monsters

Inspire CreativityLittle Green Monsters hope to inspire creative story telling. We hope that contact with these monsters will inspire others to imagine what else these monsters may have invented or discovered, and how did they do it. Little Green Monsters live in a world of limitless creativity. There are still amazing and beautiful things to be discovered or invented. Join them and make this world an amazing place to be.

Inspire ResponsibilityLittle Green Monsters also seek to inspire others to be resourceful. Each Little Green Monster is constructed entirely out of old unused sweaters and other unwanted clothing. The reuse of this material creates an opportunity to turn waste into art. By being resourceful and being creative with our recycling we can help the Little Green Monsters make this world a more beautiful and fun place to live.

The Monster Maker

Sam Gordon is the luckiest man in the world. He is a father of the four most fun, cute, smart, and silly little girls ever. He is the husband to the most beautiful, witty, and caring wife. He wakes up in a bed with an amazing view of the San Francisco Bay and goes to bed having worked for the premier public university in all of the world. He is also the creator of the Little Green Monsters.

Sam received his art instruction at Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he majored in Art & Design. The Little Green Monsters are born out of his desire to tell engaging stories through interesting characters. The Little Green Monsters provide a fun way to describe the world around us. His commitment to making use and reuse of materials have led to this line of monsters made of unwanted clothing. Sam believes we must all do our part to conserve and recycle but also make this world one full of fun and beauty.

Mi the Monster MonsterOnce there was a time when the only living creature was one little resourceful monster. It decided that the world needed to be filled with life, emotions, understanding, and fun. It was way too much work for just one monster. Making use of the material it could find, the resourceful little monster created some amazing little helpers. Since then things haven’t been the same.

activities

Boom the Whistle Monster

Once there was a time when the only way to let people know you were happy was to carry around a sign that said “I AM HAPPY.” But then a musical little monster had the idea to add a soundtrack to her life. Finding carrying an instrument around all the time to be cumbersome, she discovered she could make tunes by blowing air through her puckered lips. Soon this technique was also adapted to catch the attention of taxi drivers and dogs.

Bounce the Trot Trot Monster

Once there was a time when horses went around walking very slowly and quietly so as to not make any disturbing sounds. But then an active little monster decided to take one out for a jog. As they were running she thought the sound of the horses feet was ridiculously cute and rhythmic. She encouraged the horse to always travel that way. They were having so much fun they went to Boston and then to Lynn and then way down in Boston.

Calculus the Swim MonsterOnce there was a time when the only way across a body of water was to strap really heavy shoes to your feet, take a deep breath, and walk across the bottom as fast as you could go. This practice was extremely dangerous and risky. It made any body of water more than a couple yards wide completely impassable. But then a sporty little monster decided to try something new. She noticed one time, while walking across a deep stream, that the fish were able to propel themselves by wiggling along. She thought she would give it a try. When she got to the other side she took off the shoes and jumped into the water and wiggled. Soon she figured out how to wiggle and keep her head above the water making breathing possible. With her new technique she was able to span large bodies of water and explore what was on the other side. Her water wiggling took a once dangerous job and created a new form of recreation. It was a shame that her father was a heavy shoe maker.

Chalk the Nap Monster

Once there was a time when everyone only slept at night. Productivity and “niceness” had a tendency to decline as the day went on. But then a sleepy little monster had the idea to sleep for just a short time in the middle of the day. The results were rejuvenating.

Doodle the Camping Monster

Once there was a time when if you wanted to spend an evening in the woods you had to put wheels on your home and drag it with you. Most found this not worth the effort involved. Then a practical little monster had the idea to just bring the essentials with you in a backpack and leave the rest of the hose where it is. It didn’t take long for everyone to realize that graham crackers, chocolate, and marsh mellows were essentials.

Friskers the Jump Monster

Once there was a time when no one could reach that expansive space right above their lifted arms. Apple went unpicked, dishes went unused. But then an athletic little monster had the idea to use his legs to spring up and go into the air.

Scoop the Shout Monster

Once there was a time when nobody talked louder then their speaking voice. Sporting events were quite quiet and people got hit by stray Frisbees more often. Then a noisy little monster realized that he could speak loudly to encourage and warn his friends. Soon everyone was joining him, which led to the invention of the “inside voice.”

Star the Sigh of Relief Monster

Once there was a monster who was looking for a way to mark the moment she was done with a monumental task, she slowly let out a deep breath and said, “That felt good.”

Tuc the Clean-up Monster

Once there was a time when everyone just left things laying around where ever they wanted. The ground was scattered with car keys, stamps, dirty dishes, and old clothes. Nobody could find anything. But then a tidy little monster had the idea to put everything in a designated place. Soon the world was more organized and it smelled a lot better too.

Twigs the Hug MonsterOnce there was a time when arms were just seen as long things that kept your hands attached to your body. Arms were little more than something to fill sleeves. But then an affectionate little monster discovered that if he wrapped his arms around another monster he would be flooded with amazing, comforting, and loving feelings. This act took on several variations from the child/parent embrace to the more macho one armed man hug. Regardless of the style, everyone appreciated their arms much more than before.

architecture

Ash the Fireplace MonsterOnce there was a time when everyone would just start a fire anywhere they needed some light, heat, or just wanted to roast some marshmallows. This worked out o.k. on camping trips, but it became pretty sketchy when it happened in ice factories, children’s bedrooms, and fireworks stores. Beside being very smokey indoors it usually ruined the carpets. But then a thoughtful little monster decided to attach a miniature room specifically for fires to the side of their house with a special vent for the smoke. It provided all the warmth and light without the nasty smoke or abuse to the floors. But some still think wistfully of the days when they used to roast marshmallows in bed.

Bevel the Shower MonsterOnce there was a time when only small monsters and young children could enjoy water streaming down on them in the bath tub. Taller bathers would try but it just wasn’t worth crouching down below the faucet, it certainly took away any relaxing aspects to bath time. But then a clever little monster realized he could just push the faucet up the wall so everyone could enjoy water cascading down on them from above. After spending time with some DoItYourself plumbing books from the local library, he perfected his new adaptation and soon everyone was enjoying a relaxing and cleansing experience.

Blip the Slide Monster

Once there was a time when ladders were a huge attraction at parks. Everyone would climb up an inclined sheet of metal in order to enjoy climbing down the ladder. A large number of children fell trying to climb the ramp. But then a crazy little monster had the idea to intentionally fall and slip down the ramp. When everybody else saw how much fun he was having they soon forgot the thrills of ladder descent.

Esyouex the Office Monster

Once there was a time when everyone took turns hosting their co-workers at their own homes. It was always added stress to vacuum when it was your turn to host. Then a dedicated little monster had the idea to create a building exclusively for the purpose of work. Now co-workers judge each other by their cubicle decorations instead of the prescriptions in their bathroom medicine cabinets.

Hooper the Sandbox Monster

Once there was a time when the only place to play in the sand was at the beach or in the desert. Families would plan their family vacations around traveling to long distances to play in the miracle substance. But then a sharp little monster had the idea to bring the sand back with him to his house. He tried several containers from bowls to tubs to really big cups and found a nice large square with walls just high enough to sit on was the perfect fit. Sand pies were no longer a once a year delicacy.

Lemon the Door MonsterOnce there was time when if you wanted to enter a building you had to swing open the entire wall. This plan seemed like a simple solution and it worked for a while but as buildings became larger it became harder and harder to open the wall. Sometimes you would have to find some neighbors to help slide your wall open. Fancier buildings hired staff for the sole purpose of helping others open the wall. They called them Wallmen. Once you were inside a building things didn’t get any easier. Every time you opened the wall to the kitchen you ran the risk of tipping all the glasses in the cupboard over. But then a practical little monster realized there was no reason to open the entire wall, he created a smaller opening making entering a building a one-person-hazard-free-job. While the size of “Welcome” mats decreased dramatically, the legacy of wall openings still lives on in the existence of Wallmen, although they now have a different name.

Type-o the House Monster

Once there was a time when everyone use to just live out in the wild. Life was ridiculously hard for mail carriers. But then an ingenious little monster had the idea to make some walls and a roof to protect herself from too much wind, rain, or sun. It also provided a great place to store your holiday decorations.

Watt the Light House Monster

Once there was a time when every nighttime boat trip ended by crashing into the shore. Everyone agreed that it seemed a rather violent resolution but they didn’t have any other way to find land in the darkness. Then a inventive little monster decided to build a beacon and place it on the shore so passengers would know when they were getting close so they could brace for the collision. Everyone enjoyed the early warning but still thought they should be a better way to stop the boat.

around thehouse

Ampersand the Bed Monster

Once there was a time when everyone had to sleep on the ground. Some grounds were more comfortable than others. But then a valuable little monster had the idea to build a soft comfy artificial ground. She thought it would be nice to be able to see out the window from this new artificial ground so she raised it up on legs. Since then children have had a much easier time cleaning their rooms.

Bloom the Clock MonsterOnce there was a time when the only way to tell what time it was to look at your watch. This worked for most of the time but it was really inconvenient when you forgot your watch, or if you wore long sleeve shirts. But then a punctual little monster realized that if you just made a giant watch and ditched the arm band you could hang the face on the wall for everyone to see. Architects everywhere celebrated a new focal point for the top of their towers. Everyone thought it was the death of the watch, but jewelry shops reminded people that there are no walls in the woods or out in the fields, and they also cut their prices in half.

Dingo the Ladder Monster

Once there was a time when if you wanted to reach something really high you had to find several friends and stack them on each others shoulders. This practice led to neighbors often not answering their doors even though they were home. Then a innovative little monster had the idea to build a simulated stack of friends out of two long boards with some shorter ones in between for steps. Soon everyone was answering their doors happily once again.

Jersey the Box Monster

Once there was a time when everything was kept in jugs. This practice worked fine for some things like water, but not so good for other things like shoes and tissues. Then a keen little monster had invented a six sided container that could be made all kinds of different sizes. Life made a little more sense, although some still miss the classic jug of chocolates.

Lilly the Potpourri Monster

Once there was a time when everybody threw away their old flowers and cedar chips. Fresh flowers are beautiful and it’s always fun to whittle cedar but when you are done you just have a mess. But then a practical little monster, who kept all of her pedals and chips for sentimental reasons, realized that if you put enough of them together you have a lovely air freshener. Some enjoyed her discovery and adapted it as home decor, others mistook it as a trash tin and added their used bubble gum.

Polka the Rocking Chair MonsterOnce there was a time when everyone use to put their chairs into large round-bottom bowls. While they enjoyed leaning forward and back, he lateral movement caused some users to become nauseous. But then a motion sickness prone little monster had the idea to replace the bowl with two long curved boards attached to the bottom of the legs. This solution quickly put an end the tradition of buying a large salad bowl as a baby shower gift.

Stitch the Blanket MonsterOnce there was a time when if you were cold you had to cover yourself with all your extra socks to trap in your body heat. The problem was that every time you rolled over all the socks would fall off and you would have to take five minutes replacing them. But then a cold little monster realized that you could sew the socks together to make a large sheet of warmth that could cover your whole body in one piece. It worked great but it ruined your sock collection. Next he tried to make sheets of warmth from jeans and robes, then he finally figured out it would be easier to just make it out of one large piece of material. The fabric store owner couldn’t believe he had never thought of it himself.

Weebles the Mirror Monster

Once there was a time when everyone walked around with food on their faces and their hair a mess. No one could tell what clothes looked like on themselves and applying make up required a very trusted friend. But then an observant little monster realized that she could see her reflection in still water. Realizing what a helpful tool it would be she set out to recreate this reflection on a flat surface you could hang on a wall. Her success curiously brought on a newfound era of both rampant insecurity and vanity.

events

Abacus the Vacation Monster

Once there was a time when everyone spent their breaks from work laundering their curtains and washing their walls. No one knew where or why the tradition started, but many found the chores more exhausting than work itself. But then a smart little monster decided to take her time off of work to take time off of any work. She checked into a hotel and ordered room service and let others make her bed. When she did go back to work she felt energized and productive. Her daring approach caught on and now wall washing means another layer of wallpaper or a fresh coat of paint.

Awali the Sunrise Monster(Awali = Start in Swahili)

Once there was a time when the sun was up in the sky all day every day. Everyone just kept doing the same things because they could never tell when one day ended and another began. Then one day a wise little monster decided to pull the sun down from the sky and keep it hidden until morning. The sun’s dramatic exit and return gave everyone time to rethink their day and consider the amazing possibilities within each one. It also helped everyone know when to eat breakfast.

Clicker the Reality Show Monster

Once there was a time when everything on TV was written by a writer. Everything became predictable and it lacked the spontaneity of true life. But then a curious little monster wondered what would happen if you put eight strangers in a house working together with their lives taped to find out what happens when people stop being polite.

Dimple the Story Time Monster

Once there was a time when reading books was exclusively an individual activity. But then a friendly little monster discovered that sharing the adventures with someone else made it even more magical.

Kitoto the 2am Monster

Once there was a time when everyone slept through the night. But then a curious little monster decided to see what it was like when the rest of the world was asleep. He discovered that his parents would come join him, feed him, make sure he was comfortable, kiss him, and love him back to sleep. He savored every second of it and thought to himself, “I am so going to do this again tomorrow night.”

Mamar the Party Monster

Once there was a time when there were no celebrations. Birthdays went unnoticed and House Warmings were just what happened when you turned the heat up. But then a fun little monster had the idea to get all of her friends together and celebrate momentous occasions. Soon after this creation the balloon industry sky rocketed.

Maziko the Dia de los Muertos Monster

Once there was a time when if someone’s life ended everyone would compete to see who could be the most sad. But then a wise little monster realized life is for celebrating not memorializing. It didn’t take very long for her positive outlook to catch on and soon the end of life became the beginning of celebration.

Nguo the Fashion Show Monster

Once there was a time when designers would try to sell their clothing to visitors by hanging them along the airport runway. It became a nuisance to the air traffic controllers and wreaked havoc on delicate fabrics. But then an innovative little monster had the idea to host a party and exhibit the garments in a safer environment. She incorporated live models wearing the clothes, music, and fancy lighting, but she kept the runway as a nod to the way things used to be.

Scooter the Childhood Monster

Once there was a time when everyone went to work the day after they were born. This tradition led to several unfortunate problems. The accident rate for two-day-old bus drivers was very high, three-day-old accountants had a hard time since they had no idea what numbers were, and it wasn’t pretty if your boss was going through their “terrible twos”. But then an insightful little monster had the idea to give everyone some time to learn about the world before they were asked to work. It gave them all a chance to develop mentally, physically, and emotionally. Soon the world was full of bus drivers who could actually see over the wheel, accurate tax returns, and bosses who only acted like two- year-olds.

Spoon the Date Monster

Once there was a time when you had to decide if you were compatible with others simply by looking at each other’s hair. The results were varied. But then a romantic little monster had the idea to dedicate an evening to learn about each other.

Wakati The Future Monster(Wakati = Time in Swahili)

Once there was a time when everyone knew exactly what was going to happen next. Everyone followed the same script of how to live their life. Then one day an adventurous little monster decided to improvise her life for a little while. The results were exciting and inspiring and set off a chain reaction that freed everyone from their scripted destinies. Her courage created endless new possibilities for happiness, love and surprise endings.

Wonder the Wedding MonsterOnce there was a time when everyone was married in a super secret ceremony. The only way to know that some was married was if they suddenly quit going out to the clubs and hitting the bowling alley with their friends. But then a romantic little monster decided that it wasridiculous to keep such a beautiful and joyous celebration a private thing. He decided that his marriage was going to be a very public occasion where he would profess his love for his spouse for all the world to hear. He was smart enough to know if you want people to come to a ceremony you need to provide cake, dancing and free drinks. Their public profession of love was so well received by everyone who attended it soon became the new standard giving birth to a whole new branch of the economy.

family

Coinquilina the Roommate Monster

Once there was a time when everyone paid ridiculously high amounts of money for rent. Most everyone lived on their own, and no one could figure out why all the homes had extra bedrooms. But then a frugal little monster realized that if someone else used the extra room in her house then she could split the rent. The idea was genius but finding compatible rent-splitters was more challenging then predicted. Thus the sublet was born.

Fetch the Pet Monster

Once there was a monster who saw some wild dogs playing outside and said “Come on in.”

Masa the Mom Monster(Masa = Mom in Swahili)

Once there was a time when you had to kiss your own boo-bos, tuck yourself into bed, and make your own pasta. But then a nurturing little monster decided everyone needs someone to look out for them, help them understand this world, and have a place to call home no matter what. So she opened her heart and her love poured out in the form of the most fiercely beautiful care the world had ever known.

Monster the “Hi” Monster

Once there was a time when nobody knew how to meet new friends. It was a lonely time. Everyone just kept to themselves while living next to each other, passing in stores, and sitting next to each other in classrooms. But then a friendly little monster went up greeted her neighbor. They started a conversation and became buddies. It was ridiculous how easily it all happened.

Slippers the Affirmation Monster

Once there was a time when you were only evaluated by your teachers, boss and driving instructor. You never really knew what your family and friends thought about you. But then a considerate little monster decided to let others know how much she appreciated them and the things they did to make her life more beautiful. She told them, “Good job” and “You look amazing in that outfit” and “You make the best PB&J” and “I love you just the way I am”. She found that everyone enjoyed hearing her words of support and it actually made them work even harder at making her life more beautiful. It was a win-win for everyone.

Sunny the Long Distance Relationship Monster

Once there was a time when a monster had to move away from her perfect fit. She was pretty bummed until she realized, “True Love comes with a complimentary unlimited nationwide plan.”

Tif the Fit Monster

Once there was a time when everything happened one thing at a time. You would eat a dry waffle and then take a sip of maple syrup. But then a clever little monster realized that some things are just made to go together. Cookies and milk, movies and popcorn, babies and diapers, puzzle pieces. But the most important match she came across was lips.

food

Bongo the Pizza Monster

Once there was a time when you had to eat crust, sauce, cheese and pepperoni from four separate dishes. This made for a lot of dirty dishes. But then a clever little monster had the idea of layering all of the foods together.

Census the Lollipop MonsterOnce there was a time when if you wanted to eat a piece of candy you had to really commit to finishing the job. If you had a fresh piece of hard candy in your mouth and you got a phone call you either had to spit it out or mumble you way through the conversation. Taking the candy out with your fingers just lead to a yucky sticky mess. But then a chatty little monster had the idea to attach a stick to her candy. That way if you needed to talk you could take it out of your mouth without having to touch it. It was a simple solution to a very complex problem. Soon everyone was putting all kinds of food items on sticks. Not only did she save the world from sticky fingers, she was able to keep her job as a receptionist and have her candy too.

Cob the Fork Monster

Once there was a time when everyone use to eat spaghetti with a rake. It was completely impractical, but so was trying to eat it with a knife or spoon. But then a hungry little monster had the idea to make a miniature rake with fewer teeth and a much smaller handle. Dinner became a whole lot less messy, but it did lead to a whole new genre of table setting etiquette.

Decaf the Tea Party Monster

Once there was a time when all hot beverages were consumed in solitude. Everyone was nervous that they might spill on the table or be made fun of for putting in two lumps of sugar. But then a social little monster realized that it could be fun to see how others drink their beverages, and it would be a good time to share stories and maybe even have snack. Teapots soon became showcases and for no good reason at all the ability to pick up a cup without using your pinky became a sign of sophistication.

Faux-Pas the Breakfast Monster

Once there was a time when everyone slept until lunch. As time went by it was discovered that there was alot of fun to be had before noon. You could read the newspaper, take the dog for a walk, or beat the rush hour traffic. The only problem with waking up early was you would get really hungry before it was time for lunch. But then a hungry little monster decided that it was silly to wait to eat. He began to fix food for himself when he woke up at dawn. The delicious smell of waffles and maple syrup soon woke up the whole neighborhood and everyone realized why they had toasters.

Flicker the Ice Cube Monster

Once there was a time when if you wanted a cold drink you had to put your glass in a giant Ice Room in the center of town. You could come back a few hours later and your drink would be chilled. This did little for quenching thirsts. But then an efficient little monster had the idea to put little pieces of ice right into the glass itself. This idea was successful as it was refreshing.

Foster the Seafood Monster

One there was a time when the only place you could see a live lobster was the bottom of the ocean. Then a enterprising little monster decided to put some on display in her grocery store. The aquarium was a big draw and a huge success. But every night when she closed up the shop she couldn’t help but think to herself, “I hope they don’t get out.”

Jazzy the Snack Monster

Once there was a time when if you were hungry you could only eat at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But then a inventive little monster discovered he could make crackers into animal shapes.

Rocket the Cup Monster

Once there was a time when the only way to get a drink was to put your head under the faucet or fill up a plate to sip out of. Wet chins and spills of tiny amounts of liquid were just a part of everyday life. But then a thirsty little monster had an idea to make a plate with really high sides, but smaller around so it would fit easily in your hand. Now everyone finally had something to put in the top part of their dishwasher.

Scuba the Bubble Gum Monster

Once there was a time when if you wanted to chew something you had to just keep eating food. This led to an obesity issue with people with oral fixations. But then a silly little monster discovered this funny stuff that you could chew and chew and it never went away. She decided to add yummy flavors to it and inadvertently freshened the breath of the whole world.

Sprout the Juice Monster

Once there was a time when if you were thirsty and had a bunch of fruit there was nothing you could do. Then a clever little monster had the idea to squeeze the fruit. The results were nutritious and delicious.

Thomas the English Muffin Monster

Once there was a time when you could only get your toast in a triangular shape. There were thousands of toast-point-to-eye related injuries reported annually. But then a safety minded little monster decided to craft a round option for those that were not looking for a side of danger with their breakfast.

Uki the Honey Monster

Once there was a time when bees wanted to share their delicious work with others but everyone was too afraid. Whenever a bee would approach someone they would runaway in fear of being stung. But then a brave little monster realized that the bees weren’t trying to harm anyone and followed them back to their hive for a snack. Now the world knows the sticky yummy deliciousness of a community working together.

Winnie the Treat Monster

Once there was a time when the only time you could eat a piece of candy was when you won the State Spelling Bee or a comparable achievement. But then a sweet little monster decided that there shouldn’t always have to be a reason to enjoy a sugary snack. So she would share her sweets with others for no reason at all. Soon everyone realized that the joy of sharing a special gift for no reason, was a great reason in itself.

Xenon the Taco MonsterOnce there was a time when everyone could only eat ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce and cheese between two slices of bread. The ground beef always made the bread soggy and floppy and it was hard to eat. But then a wily little monster had an idea while eating his sandwich and corn chips. If he could make a giant curved chip, it could hold all the fixings and the ground beef wouldn’t make the chip soggy. Soon he perfected his food envelope and the world never had to suffer from soggy bread again.

forces

Amazing the Grace MonsterOnce there was a time when nobody ever forgave anyone else. At birth you had a huge group of friends and family, but as others intentionally or unintentionally wronged you or vise versa, your support group would shrink. By the time you were four years old you were usually entirely on your own. It led to a sad and lonely existence for everyone. But then a loving little monster decided to forgive a friend who had caused her pain. The friend was so moved by her compassion that it strengthened their previous friendship tenfold. The friend, inspired by the loving monster, forgave her friends and the wave of acceptance grew to build a loving supportive and strong community of understanding.

Banquo the Lucky Monster

Once there was a time when everyone made decisions based on logic and probability. But then a observant little monster, who made horseshoes on a 4-leaf clover farm at the base of seven rainbows, decided that there must be something other than probability behind how things happen. He decided there must be a force out there bigger than logic that could give the underdog an opportunity to beat the odds. Most everyone believed him because he seemed to have very good fortune. Soon everyone was trying to find ways to harness this force which made many, many rabbits very, very sad.

Bruce the Chaos MonsterOnce there was a time when everyone was looking for things to make sense. They wanted to find order and predictability. They were searching for it in science, they were searching for it in mathematics, they were searching for it in mythology and religion. It seemed no matter where they looked there was always an exception or unpredictable piece to the system. But then a wise little monster pointed out that the only thing that is predictable is that things will not be predictable. Then he ate a bowl of chili, as he always did.

Gates the Imagination Monster

Once there was a time when the only place you could be is where you were, and the only thing you could do is what you were doing. Life was pretty literal. But then a creative little monster had the idea to go places and do things in his own mind. Since then stories have become a lot more interesting.

Haki the Social Justice Monster

Once there was a time when everyone just looked out for themselves. The powerful got stronger and oppressed were left without hope. But then one day a passionate little monster could no longer tolerate the oppression and decided to use her voice. Inspired by her courage, her one voice was joined by two voices, then ten, then thousands, and then that one voice’s courage inspired change. The world rejoiced.

Linda the Service MonsterOnce there was a time when everyone realized that this world could use some improvements. Some needed homes, some needed food and others just needed someone to hold their hand through a hard time. They tried to build a home large enough to fit all the homeless, but the ran out of materials. They tried to feed everyone who was hungry, but couldn’t find a large enough pot to cook in. Then they gave up because they couldn’t solve any of the problems. But then a compassionate little monster pointed out that you don’t have to do it all at once. Every day she would open her doors to one person, or feed them, or just hold their hand. One by one by one the world improved and and is still improving today.

Newton the Momentum Monster

Once there was a monster with a million different things to do and he thought to himself, “The only way toget this done is to just get it started.”

Pace the Peace MonsterOnce there was a time when there was nothing but chaos. Nothing made sense, it was all just happening at once. But then a calm little monster had the idea to just stop and breathe.

Wheels the Helpful Monster

Once there was a time when everyone did everything by themselves. Moving furniture was very difficult and playing ping-pong required ridiculous amounts of backspin. Then a thoughtful little monster had the idea to work together with other monsters. Life became a lot easier and more fun.

Zippy the Patience Monster

Once there was a time when everyone was constantly grumpy and on edge. It wasn’t that bad things were happening to them , it was that things weren’t happening fast enough for them They wanted everything to happen immediately. But then an observant little monster realized that being anxious and upset about things never made them happen any faster. He decided to find ways to enjoy the moment he was in, and allow the next moment to come in its own time.

importantdiscoveries

Confuso the Organization Monster

Once there was a monster who had a disproportional love for symmetry and cleanliness who thought there was nothing disproportional about her love for symmetry and cleanliness.

Corea the Caricature Monster

Once there was a time when all the artists that drew portraits of tourists only drew them realistically. One artist was the most innovative, popular, and realistic of them all. Unfortunately at the height of her fame she suffered a horrible “cotton candy in the eye” accident and her vision changed forever. But then this courageous little monster decided to continue her portrait career drawing the tourist as she now saw them. Her new style of huge heads and exaggerated features became all the rage in tourists destinations as well as political cartoons across the world.

Dasher the Gift Monster

Once there was a time when everyone just worried about getting stuff for themselves. They decided to pick a day, once a year, for everyone to go out and buy themselves whatever they wanted. But then a charitable little monster decided what she really wanted was to buy something for someone else. So that is what she did and the joy she felt was far more satisfying and fulfilling than any other purchase she had ever made.

Dot the Quiet Monster

Once there was a time when everybody made noise constantly. They were afraid that if they stopped making noise than their ears would stop working. It wasn’t exactly the best example of airtight logic. But one peaceful little monster had the idea to see what would happen if she didn’t make a single hum. The sound she heard was beautiful. It was calming and soothing, it was the sound of silence.

Hal Oh the Trick Monster

Once there was a time when strange things never happened. Nobody ever surprised anyone with a whoopee cushion, and door knobs never had any frosting on them. But then a mischievous little monster decided to make life much more interesting. Soon both the world and trees would discover toilet paper had more than one use.

Mikro the Soft MonsterOnce there was a time when everything was hard. Couches were made of stone, pillow cases were filled with blocks of wood, and marshmallows were as hard as rock candy. But then a sensitive little monster decided he would be more comfortable in a plush world. He decided to build a couch out of water balloons, stuff his pillowcase with other pillowcases, and created a new kind of marshmallow made from yummy fluff. Soon doctors started seeing a drastic decrease in life-threatening bruises as others got on board with the new squishy lifestyle.

Muddles the Vote MonsterOnce there was a time when everything was decided by flipping a coin. Everyone agreed it was the best way to avoid making hard decisions. The problem was with alot of practice you could teach yourself to control the coin toss to get the results you wanted. Some of the most talented tossers took advantage of their skills and made all of the big decisions fall in their favor. But then a civic little monster decided that it wasn’t a fair way to find the best resolution to issues. She decided that everyone should have a right to voice their own opinion. She refined her idea into the election process which is commonly used to this day. Now the coins that were used to flip are used to purchase marketing campaigns to tell everyone what they should think. No one said it was a perfect system, just better.

Pat the Acknowledgement Monster

Once there was a time when employees were only motivated by whips, shouting, and the threat of losing their lunch breaks. Everyone worked hard but morale was ridiculously low. But then an observant little monster realized that if he recognized extraordinary work with a “Good Job” the employees were even more motivated and dedicated to their tasks. Sometimes it was too loud on the factory floor to talk so the monster would pat the workers their back to get their attention. A new universal gesture of appreciation was born.

Peppers the Electricity Monster

Once there was a time when to turn on the light on you had to jump on a trampoline with a match to reach the lantern in the ceiling. Jumping with matches led to so much frustration that most learned to enjoy the darkness. But then a scientific little monster discovered she could send energy up a metal wire to a bulb generating a bright light. Soon her invention was adapted to all kinds of uses. Everyone was happy they no longer had to hand crank the dishwasher.

Pickles the Line MonsterOnce there was a time when everyone always waited for things by stacking themselves in pyramids. The first to arrive would build the base and then the next to arrive would climb on top of them to make the the middle layers and the last to arrive would climb all the way to the top. The larger the event, the larger the pyramid. Before popular concerts the pyramids would grow to dangerous heights. Then a cautious little monster had the idea to keep it limited to one level. He thought the first to arrive should be in the front and then everyone could group up, one behind the other, as they arrived. His idea was soon endorsed by doctors, parents, and anyone with a fear of falling large distances.

Yum the Perfect MonsterOnce there was a time when everything had faults. Icecream was too cold, beaches were too wet. Everything had something wrong with it. But then a happy little monster decided that it was way more pleasurable to focus on the good things. This made everything better and more fun, even work. She even decided to come up for a very special word to use on those special occasions when things would work out even better than she could have ever dreamed. Some think the word is overused, but she just thinks life is that good.

jobs

Amy Gdala the Psychologist Monster

Once there was a monster who had a nice squishy couch and wondered “What are you thinking about?”

Chama the Event Planning Monster

Once there was a monster who loved a good party so much the only thing she loved better was helping other people have amazing parties, well that and a nice plate of steak and potatoes.

Champ the DJ Monster

Once there was a monster who had a ridiculous love of music and always went around calling everybody “Party People!”

Cheers the Shepherd Monster

Once there was a time when sheep just wandered around getting lost, distracted, falling into rivers and off of cliffs. It became a nuisance when they would wander into your home and start to eat your mail and/or shed all over your furniture. But then an enterprising little monster realized with a little bit of leadership the sheep could be guided to safety and productivity. Everyone felt better knowing that the sheep were all safe and not eating their mail. His idea was soon used on several other creatures but proved to be unsuccessful for butterflies, cats, and grizzly bears.

Cobbler the Baker Monster

Once there was a monster who had some sugar, chocolate, flour and an oven and thought, “There is deliciousness to be had.”

Cubit the Construction Monster

Once there was a time when everyone built things themselves. This worked out better for some than others. Homes were made out of noodles, roads were made out of peanut butter. But a house made out of noodles doesn’t do well in long rains, and roads made out of peanut butter attract ridiculous amounts of ants. But then a hard working little monster noticed that some material worked better for certain structures. Homes made of wood and stone were much safer and roads made of concrete worked much better. Noodles and peanut butter were back in the kitchen and everyone was happy, except for the ants.

Diva the Diva Monster

Once there was a time when compliments were only given by other people. Talents and beauty would go unnoticed and uncelebrated until someone else brought attention to it. But then a self-confident little monster decided that she didn’t need to wait for anyone else’s permission to realize that she was both talented and beautiful. She knew that she was much to valuable to not share herself with the world. Soon everyone followed her lead and discovered the joy of sharing in her love of her many talents.

Doplar the Meteorologist Monster

Once there was a time when nobody knew what the weather was going to be like the rest of the day. This led to days of cold wet days of wearing too little clothing and hot stuffy days of wearing too much clothing. You just never knew what was going to happen next. But then an observant little monster realized that the weather seemed to follow an annual pattern and became good at making general predictions. Then he made a friend who lived several hours away upwind from and noticed that he would have the same weather as his friend only a little later. Using this observation, he was soon able to make accurate predictions about the weather using his wide range of geographically dispersed friends.

Izzy the Personality Test Monster

Once there was a time when to figure out somebody’s behavioral tendencies you had to watch them 24 hours a day for 3 weeks. Then a efficient little monster said, “There has to be a quicker way to do this.”

Jolly the Santa Monster

Once there was a monster who had a magical sleigh and a ridiculous amount of toys and thought, “I really should share some of these.”

Miami the Princess MonsterOnce there was a time when the being the daughter of the queen and king meant all you could do was be pretty and sit in a chair and have people draw your picture while knights protected you from the mean dragon. But then a adventurous little monster decided that she could do much more than look beautiful and have her picture drawn. She learned how to draw herself and she drew a beautiful picture of a dragon. Then she climbed the mountain to the dragon’s cave and went inside and gave the giant fire breathing beast her picture. The dragon loved it and hung it on his refrigerator. Nobody had ever given him a gift before. Then they became great friends and had wonderful adventures together.

Rover the Astronaut Monster

Once there was a monster who looked up at the moon and thought “Why not?”

language

Anonymous the Poetry Monster

Once there was a time when words were exclusively used in a literal and efficient way. Sentences were short. They were direct. And dull. But then a lyrical little monster realized that you could make communication more interesting by adding beautiful and descriptive words. Everyone learned how to use words to describe how they felt and explain their emotions. Now we have psychiatry and we know that roses are red and violets are blue.

Blimps the Joke Monster

Once there was a time when the only time you ever asked a question was when you didn’t know the answer. On occasion, by chance, the answer given would be humorous and make people laugh. But then a jovial little monster decided that if he both asked and answered the question he could significantly increase the likelihood of laughter. Now we don’t have to wait until someone happens to ask the question to learn why the chicken crossed the road.

Castro the Free Verse Monster

Once there was a time when words were cogs placed into gears measured by meters told where to sing in literary enslavementThen one day a loving little monster the thick fog of the city drank with the words laid with the words, put love in the wordsand they danced to songs that only peace could hear new meanings of opaquely transparent worlds

Helvetica the Font Monster

Once there was a monster who loved to look at things in a different way. One day she was looking at the alphabet and thought, “This could be fun.”

Koko the Irony Monster

Once there was a time when words only could mean exactly what they meant. If someone said it was “Just Great!” they had to work all weekend, that is how they really felt about it. But then a facetious little monster decided to use words differently in unexpected and contradicting ways. Everyone enjoyed this new liberty of language so much that it became more popular than using the literal use of words. That is the opposite of what he thought would happen.

Meatball the Numbers Monster

Once there was a time when everyone used to count using letters. It got a little confusing if there were more than Z items, and no one could figure out what L divided by C was. Then a mathematical little monster had the idea to make up some new words to represent values. Everyone liked the new way better than saying they had J fingers.

Speed the Repeat Monster

Once there was a time when everyone just said things one time. Marriage proposals went unheard, conversations on trains and in clubs were all but pointless. But then a attentive little monster had the idea of restating what was said if someone else had missed it. Soon this idea took hold with championships, parrots and television shows.

Squirt the Rhyming Monster

Once there was a time when no one really cared much about the waywords sounded. Language was a practical tool and very sensibly grounded. Then a lyrical little monster had the idea to play with words and the noise they make at the end. He found he could match them with other words and started a new trend. Everyone enjoyed finding words that sounded the same. A brand new language was born out of this little monster’s game.

Thirty the Emoticon Monster

Once there was a time when the only way to let someone know you were happy while sending them a message was to type “I am smiling while I type this message to you.” But then a very happy but busy little monster decided that he didn’t have the time to write that all out. So he improvised :)

Thunder the Dictionary Monster

Once there was a time when nobody knew how to use words. Everyone knew how to make noises but no one could agree on what those sounds meant. Someone may call an object a “hotdog” while another might call that same object a “stamp”. There was no order or meaning to the noises being made. But then a smart little monster decided that he could create something he called a “book” and he could write down the meaning of words in that book. Then everyone could refer to that book when they needed to know what noises to make to communicate their ideas. The making of the book wasn’t the problem, the tricky part was explaining to everyone else what a “book” was.

lifestyles

Gordon the Success Monster

Once there was a time when nobody quite knew how to measure how well they were doing. They tried star charts, and badges. They tried gaging the value of work by who got paid the most or who stayed the latest. But then a wise little monster figured out that all you need is to do well, and let them say.

Happy the Rationalization Monster

Once there was a monster that saw a plate of cookies and thought, “I will run twice as far tomorrow.”

Kiwi the Adventure Monster

Once there was a time when no one knew what was “over there” past where you could see. Everybody thought it would be safer to just stay “over here”. But then a brave little monster had the idea to go see what is “over there”. So he went “over there” and was amazed at what he found.

Nasibu the “Why Not” Monster(Nasibu = Opportunity in Swahili)

Once there was a time when anything you ever did had to have a logical purpose. The world was very practical, and ordered, and boring. But then a daring little monster decided to try something completely random just to see what happened. Adventure, art and silliness were born into a newly more wondrous world.

Nine the Preparation Monster

Once there was a time when nobody ever planned ahead. They would go on hikes without bringing along water, doctors would show up for surgery without any tools. Then an organized little monster realized that if you plan ahead you can have everything you need ready when you need it. Life became much smoother and public speaking became much more enjoyable.

Q the Danger MonsterOnce there was a time when everyone was ridiculously safe. Nobody would leave the house before spending ten minutes putting on their helmet and other protective padding. There were very few injuries but there was absolutely no fun. Then a daring little monster ran outside and started to climb all over everything without any pads on at all. She swung up-side-down, jumped off of ledges, and flipped down the street. Every once in a while she would tumble and get hurt, but that is what made it awesome.

Rue the Chill Monster

Once there was a time when everyone ran around trying to score as manyDrama Points as possible. But then a peaceful little monster decided, “Idon’t even want to win this game.”

Umba The Renaissance Monster(Umba = Create in Swahili)

Once there was a time you could only have one interest. On your eleventh birthday you were to choose your hobby for the rest of your life. The stress and anxiety over the choice left several in mental breakdowns. Then one day an obstinate little monster decided that his interest was having multiple interests. Everyone marveled at his clever loophole and celebrated their freedom to now have a lifetime self discovery and exploration.

Vespa the Competition Monster

Once there was a time when games always ended in a tie. Most participants found this result to be quite unsatisfying. But then a wise little monster had the idea that the games could be used to determine who was the best, and who was not. Thus, the victory dance was born.

usefulinventions

Banner the Trophy MonsterOnce there was a time when a monster found himself in possession of a very large shiny cup. He couldn’t remember where it came from or why it was sitting on his mantle. Once a friend came over to his home and was admiring it when she asked, “Where did this large shiny cup come from?” The truth was he didn’t know the answer. But then the quick little monster made up a story about how he won the large shiny cup for wining the potato sack race at the International Potato Sack Racing Tournament of Champions. His friend totally believed the story and spread it around to everyone they knew. While some wanted to learn more about the Potato Sack Race, everyone loved the idea of rewarding achievements with a useless cup of shinyness.

Bobbins the Tape MonsterOnce there was a time when the only way to stick things together was with honey or glue. It could take hours to wrap a present. Little girls rooms were full of ants eating away at the honey holding the “boy band” pictures on the wall above their beds. But then an inventive little monster had the idea to build a thin sticky strap to easily stick things together. He became frustrated that his invention didn’t immediately catch on, because the sticky strap kept getting stuck on itself. Then one night he had a dream about winding it up on a roll and attaching a dispenser. People immediately started buying more presents for each other with all the time they saved wrapping gifts, and tween magazine sales went through the roof.

DoDad the Hair Thingy Monster

Once there was a time when everyone walked around with their bangs in a floppy tangled mess over their faces. It was hard to see and it was hard to eat. Then a inventive little monster combined her love for rubber bands and her love for all things fuzzy, and pig tails were no longer found exclusively on farms.

Glue the Mittens MonsterOnce there was a time when there was no way to keep your hands warm out in the cold. Some began to wear socks on their hands but this led to them getting taunted and it was really hard to grasp items with socks on your hands. But then an innovative little monster had an idea to sew an extra little flap into her hand-socks for her thumb. With this newfound dexterity she was able to quickly make snowballs and retaliate against anyone who taunted her. Soon everyone learned their lesson and the taunting stopped.

Goggles the Airplane MonsterOnce there was a time when if you wanted to fly you had to make friends with a couple hundred parrots and convince them all to work together to carry you where you needed to go. It was an inefficient and very loud form of transportation. But then a clever little monster decided to construct a flying machine of his own. Combining some very advanced physics and parts from his dad’s car and his mom’s giant fan he created a strange looking contraption. He assured everyone it was safe but he couldn’t convince anyone to fly in it with him, except for the parrots. They enjoyed soaring through the air while relaxing with their feet up. Eventually everyone came around when they realized how much faster his machine could get them to the beach.

Jpeg the Ball Monster

Once there was a time when people played catch with sharp rocks, bowled with blocks of wood, and danced around a disco stick. But then an athletic little monster had the idea to create a sphere to use instead. Sports injuries decreased drastically and the stick of gum now had competition.

LopE the Shoe Monster

Once there was a time when if you had to walk over some gravel, or across a hot parking lot, or through snow and ice your feet would be cut, burnt, and frozen. But then a safe little monster realized she could make a covering for her feet to protect her toes from the elements. She designed different versions for different jobs like running, riding horses, walking on the moon, and looking taller in dresses.

Noodle the Map Monster

Once there was a time when the only way to give directions was to tell others to turn either left or right at the tree. Getting lost was easy, especially in the woods. But then a gifted little monster had the idea to draw a spacial picture of the area with a line showing the preferred path of travel. Soon after this pirates had a much higher success rate of finding their treasure.

Obo the Envelope Monster

Once there was a time when messages were exclusively delivered in bottles. It was a clever reuse of empty containers but it really junked up mailboxes. But then an astute little monster had the idea to simply fold a piece of paper around the message. He later took it to the next level by making a tongue activated glue to seal it closed. Mail carriers celebrated all around the world, except on desert islands.

Ocho-Ocho the Checkered Flag Monster

Once there was a time when the only way to win a car race was to outlast the other drivers. The race would start and the cars would go in circles until all but one overheated or ran out of gas. It wasn’t a very exciting spectator sport. After a while they realize that they could just race a set number of laps and then the winner would be determined by who went the fastest not the longest. The problem was that they couldn’t think of a way to signify the end of the race, so they had a town meeting to ask for suggestions. A couple ideas were mentioned but nothing that everyone could agree on. But then a little excited monster who was a fan of both car racing and chess stood up and waved his cloth chess board to get everyone’s attention. The rest is history.

Quid the Umbrella Monster

Once there was a time when the only way to be outside and get out of the sun was to grow a tree, wish for clouds or sit in a large persons shadow. No one enjoyed long days on the beach, because they always came with a horrible sunburn. But then a hot little monster had the idea to build a shade maker. She attached cloth and supports to the end of a long stick and shield herself from the sun. It wasn’t until an unexpected rain storm that she realized the versatility of her invention.

Rumble the Dump Truck Monster

Once there was a time when if you wanted to move large amounts of dirt you had to load it into the trunk of your car. It was a huge chore to get the dirt in and another to get it back out. But even then the job wasn’t done because you had to go to vacuum out the interior of your trunk. Everyone hated the process except for the vacuum salesman. But then a rugged little monster had the idea to build a new kind of vehicle built just for moving dirt and other messy things. It had a huge open space in the back for loading and unloading and was easy to hose out at the end of the day. Construction productivity quickly increased and children everywhere were mimicking the loud sounds of the machine. Everyone was happy except for the vacuum salesman.

Sumo the Kite Monster

Once there was a time when it was really popular to hold onto strings attached to something up high. Strings were tied to trees, large buildings, even basketball rims. While this practice was popular it wasn’t practical because you had to stay where the tall object was. But then a trendy little monster had the idea to make something that would be both mobile and high. He took some sticks and cloth mixed it with a nice breeze and the rest is popular culture history.