Bedtime for Monsters

PreS-Gr 2–This delightful book asks listeners to believe that monsters are real and to wonder if “this MONSTER might be licking his lips AND thinking about YOU?” They are also asked to imagine that he is on his way on his way toward them right now and to question if “he’s smiling because he remembered to pack his knife and fork?” Over the course of his journey, the monster traverses a dark forest, swamp, mountains, and a town, while maybe thinking how good listeners would be with ketchup or on toast. But after suspense builds and he turns a bedroom doorknob, kids will learn that (spoiler alert) all he wants a big, sloppy goodnight kiss. As Vere’s text ruminates on what the monster may be thinking, his illustrations depict a pea green, cartoony, large, mostly happy, not-very-bright-looking monster whose tongue hangs out of his smiling mouth and whose large eyes are open quite wide. Vere uses bight colors, thick lines, and just a little spooky darkness to convey the mood. The varied font sizes and styles add to the visual silliness and pseudo-scariness of the story. Excellent for storytime, bedtime or anytime for all but the most easily scared. Catherine Callegari