Schneider, Josh. Bedtime Monsters. Josh Schneider, Illus. Picture Book. Clarion, 2013. [32]p. $16.99. 978-0-544-00270-8. OUTSTANDING. GRADES PRE-2.
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winner Schneider has created the perfect book for any child who is terrified of monsters hiding under the bed. Four monsters all collect on Arnold’s bed one by one: “’Was that a winged fargle?’ whimpered the horrible tooth gnasher. Arnold and the terrible toe biter scooted over.” Illustrations rendered in watercolor, pen, ink and colored pencil portray expressive faces and pitiful looking monsters. Clever use of outlines over illustrations depict what Arnold, the protagonist, imagines things to be. As it turns out, all the monsters originated from Arnold’s overactive imagination, turning ordinary objects in his bedroom into creatures of fright. A highly imaginative tale that children will want to hear again and again.
Dayni Kuo, Oakland PL