A Monstrous Bedtime

PreS-Gr 1–Even the best bedtime routines don’t always work on the first try. In this playful and humorous take on the monster under the bed, readers meet a monster who is simply not tired after their usual bedtime routine and a child who is more than willing to help by repeating the steps. The routine, which fits neatly on the first page, seems to grow more monstrous with each page turn. Having a cup of water leads to an overflowing kitchen sink, and a fan whirring gently becomes a collection of fans so powerful that the monster’s socks are nearly blown off! Sometimes it isn’t just the steps of a routine that make it work but the energy brought to those steps, and this monster’s calm is contagious. Wilson’s clear and simple sentences leave room for several impressive spreads done in exuberant pen and ink. Readers will enjoy combing through the images and poring over the details. The child presents as white with ginger hair.