The Monster at the End of This Post

"Where there is life, there is hope." -Grover Monster, Sesame Street


Children will spring tough questions on you the instant you're awake. They don't care. Thus was the case this past Saturday morning. My wife allowed me to sleep in while she took the Peanut downstairs. It was actually 9:15 am when I finally awoke and I was a little panicked that I had slept so long.

I was standing in the kitchen, trying to figure out how to work the Keurig and get myself some coffee. (As if I don't use it every day)., That's when my daughter came running in and sprang this one on me: "Daddy, what Sesame Street (character) is your favorite?"

Immediately, my brain went into hyperdrive. Dangerous when it hasn't had coffee yet. I didn't want to get this one wrong. My answer would speak volumes about me, my personality, and how my daughter perceives me now and in the future. I am not overreacting. Ok, maybe a little.

No Cookie for you

So I shuffled through the characters on imaginary flash cards in my mind. Cookie Monster. I love Cookie Monster. He's hilarious. And he's blue - my daughter's favorite color. I can score cheap points if I just say Cookie Monster and move on to the coffee, purely for the blue factor. But I can't in my right mind endorse Cookie Monster. He's an unhealthy, impulsive eater and speaks poor English.

Next?

Kick the can, buddy

Oscar? He's green... my favorite color.... thus completing his list of redeeming qualities, Actually, Oscar is honest. There is something to be said about that. There was actually a point when I was younger where Oscar was my favorite. I had a talking plush Oscar doll that said things like, "have a yucky day" when you pulled its string. But he lives in a garbage can and he's not very nice. Not the vibe I want to send to my daughter. He's out.

How about Bert or Ernie? Well, Bert's a buzzkill with a unibrow. And Ernie's annoying. And there are too many questions surrounding their relationship. I understand they're a Muppet version of The Odd Couple, but how old are they supposed to be? Are they kids? Teens? If so, where are their parents? Are they adults? If so, why do they share a room? Are they gay? Doubt it. None of my gay friends would be caught dead in those hideous stripes and saddle shoes.

The Odd Couple

Regardless, Ernie is a nightmare of a roommate. And Bert's no charmer either. All he does is read and sleep and complain when those two activities are being interrupted. If Bert finds Ernie so irritating, why doesn't he just move out? Too many questions for me to consider one of them my favorite.

No and No

I do love the Count. Although, there's the whole vampire thing. And he's a little OCD with all the counting. So count him out. (Sorry I couldn't resist.)

Elmo? He's become a cliche'. Plus, he's too self-absorbed, even for me. Who talks in the third person that much? He's out. And Big Bird is a big baby and a little clueless.

Your old pal, Grover

So how did I answer? I told her GROVER. Lovable. Neurotic. Adorable. Bumbling. Silly. Always wants to help. Never really knows how. He's not perfect. But he is blue... filling the favorite color quotient.

Grover does have a superhero alter-ego. Although, he is always running into walls or falling down. But he's an optimist, and he makes my daughter laugh. He's always there when you're in trouble, ready to pitch in. So what if he's a little neurotic. That's just another thing to love about him. Right?

*As you may already know, the title to this post refers to "The Monster at the End of This Book," a classic Grover tale that is by far my daughter's favorite iPad book/app. Highly recommended.


One time I didn't like my daughter's character of choice, but found the silver lining. Click here to read more.