Synopsis

It’s way past bedtime o’clock in Cutesville…but somebody can’t sleep! The harder he tries to nod off, the awaker Love Monster is, and the later and darker and spookier it gets. When he hears a rustle rustle, then a creeeak, scuffle-shuffle BUMP, he’s just sure there’s a hungry, scary something on its way to get him. So Love Monster musters up his courage…and faces his fears.

Details

• Title: Love Monster and the Scary Something
• Author/Illustrator: Rachel Bright
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
• ISBN: 0374346917
• Publication Date: August 9, 2016
• For Ages: 2-4
• Category: Picture Book
• Spooky-Scary or Spooky-Fun? 🎃 Fun.

Review

Be prepared for an avalanche of giggles with this book. Love Monster and the Scary Something is adorable, and with its silly words and sound effects it lends itself to such an over-the-top read-aloud style that you’ll probably have to pause quite a bit to let kids catch their breath from laughing so much. Rachel Bright’s art style is loose and expressive, and she adds hilarious details for both kids and adults to enjoy. Notice the face on Love Monster’s alarm clock:

The story does get a bit scary in the middle, though, as Love Monster’s imagination runs wild and he pictures a huge monster with “terrible, twisterly toenails” coming up the stairs to come get him. Younger kids may need extra reassurance, but the suspense doesn’t last long; they’ll soon be laughing again and smiling at Bright’s adorable drawings.

This is a great bedtime story for any child, but I think it would be especially helpful for kids who are afraid of the dark. The author’s bio says that the book was illustrated via solar etching, so “the monster in this book is, quite literally, made of sunshine.” That’s a wonderful way to let kids know that there’s always a little light in the darkness, and I can think of nothing more appropriate for such a sweet and cheery story.

Rating

This book truly is made of sunshine. I give it 4 out of 5 coffins.