Saturday, December 30, 2017

I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll- ESSENTIAL

Noll, Amanda I Need My Monster.  Illustrated by Howard McWilliam. PICTURE BOOK. Flashlight Press, 2009. $17.95.  

When Ethan checks under his bed for his monster, he is surprised to find a this note: “Gone fishing.  Be back in a week. –Gabe.” Well! This just wouldn’t work!  Ethan needs his monster in order to stay in his bed and sleep at night. How would he ever get to sleep without Gabe’s familiar scary noises and spooky green ooze? Ethan would just have to find a replacement.  Replacement monster after monster appeared under his bed, but no one was a good enough substitute for Gabe.  “Picky, Picky.” they each exclaimed.  After rejecting five monsters, Ethan was about to give up.  “Sorry I’m late, kid.” he heard.  Whew! Gabe had returned.  Fishing really wasn’t what Gabe thought it would be. There was no challenge. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to start the evening with an ominous puddle of drool.” 

This is a very well written and incredibly well illustrated picture book.  McWilliam’s cinematic artwork is brilliant. This is a great monster-under-the-bed book for all monster-loving children.  The story is easy to follow and will keep little ones on their toes!  

Pre-K. EL (K-3). ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: SL. 

No comments: