If you’re not scared of monsters, there’s no problem…right?
A boy discovers that if you aren’t afraid of monsters, they’ll think you are one of them—and they will never leave you alone. He finds it hard to get out of bed in the morning, as the monsters all sleep with him. At school, recess can get a little out of hand when a horde of monsters joins in the games. He learns that living with monsters means there is never any hot water, and his favorite pajamas are always dirty (since the monsters borrow them). When he’s had enough and he sends them away, though, something really scary comes to his room: his little brother, who’s scared of the monsters under his bed. The older boy introduces the monsters to his little brother so they can enjoy a new friend. Richards’ picture-book debut is a passable addition to the dealing-with-fear-of-monsters shelf, but these monsters act more like unwanted houseguests or good-natured stalkers than something from under the bed. Furthermore, passing the annoyance on to a younger sibling doesn’t seem the best solution. Neubecker’s bright, furry, horned and tentacled monsters are more adorable than menacing, which may help allay monster fears among very timid readers.
It’s probably best to stick with Mercer Mayer’s classics or Josh Schneider’s Bedtime Monsters (2013).
(Picture book. 2-5)