I Need My Monster

I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll, illustrated by Howard McWilliam 2009

"Gone fishing. Back in a week. -Gabe"

Gabe is the name of Ethan's monster, and he is distraught that he will be without Gabe under his bed all week long. The absence of the pile of drool from under the bed, the silence in his room without Gabe's scratching claws; how can there be a substitute for Ethan's monster? He tentatively knocks on his floor to begin an interview process of the ghoulish kind. Try as they might, these monsters are no match for Gabe. Their claws aren't long enough. They make him giggle instead of shiver.

Ethan's monster finally makes his appearance saying, "Sorry I'm late, kid." In a creepy, yet comforting way, Gabe expresses that Ethan keeps him on his toes. After a little scaring, Ethan falls asleep with a contented smile on his face.

The sly humor of Noll partnered with McWilliam's dark, digitally colored art, helps defuse nighttime concerns and replace them with the realization that a child can overcome their fears.

Appropriate for ages 5-8