Children need to learn to keep their rooms tidy because this helps them develop a sense of responsibility and care for their belongings. The Messiest Monster on Mill Street by Sarah Sparks shares these values. The story focuses on Max, a little monster who usually has an untidy, dirty room. He has made such a mess in his room that it is impossible to ignore, but despite this, he keeps looking for ways to continue playing. Everything changes when Max gets caught in the middle of a wave created by all this mess and realizes that things have become uncontrollable. He is chased by dust bunnies, sees creatures taking shape, and even his forgotten clothes come to life. Amid all the mess, Max realizes the importance of keeping his room clean and organized.

Max is a character with whom many young readers will be able to identify. He didn't cause the mess on purpose but just wanted to have fun, which is normal for children. What I liked about Max is that once he understands the problem, he turns cleaning into a game, showing that you can be responsible and have fun at the same time. I also found the story helpful because it shows examples of activities that children can do to keep their rooms clean. Sarah Sparks' narration is clear and rhythmic, which makes for an enjoyable read. The colorful illustrations are creative, and I like them because Max clearly expresses his emotions. The Messiest Monster on Mill Street is a valuable book for parents to share an important lesson and spend quality time with their children.

The Messiest Monster on Mill Street by Sarah Sparks is a story about Max. Max was a dirty boy. There were spills on the floor, holes in his clothes, paint on the wall, and crumbs in his fur. His toys, shoes, and dishes were piled on each other, while under his bed was a science lab where spoiled food produced crawlers. However, the messiness wasn’t intentional on Max’s part. The monster spent so much time having fun that he forgot to clean his home. One day, the unthinkable happened. The dirt grew into one gigantic ball and swallowed Max. Max fell into a world where all the mess came alive and terrified him. Will Max get free from this messy world? Has he learned his lesson?

The Messiest Monster on Mill Street by Sarah Sparks is for children between one and five years old. It focuses on behavioral patterns, especially personal hygiene. This picture book is part of the Monsters on Mill Street series. I recommend the entire collection for libraries, teachers, parents, and guardians. I always advise that children should learn how to take responsibility from when they can walk. It does not have to be any heavy lifting, but they can learn to put their toys or shoes away. The Messiest Monster on Mill Street teaches children the merits of hygiene and the demerits of dirty environments. The author used beautiful word rhymes, and illustrator Sypha Vendez created beautiful pictures. I enjoyed reading this creative storybook.