Even Monsters Say Good Night

July 27, 2015
Nervous at bedtime, especially “on Halloween when the monsters were all out,” a girl named Avery relies on her mother to defuse her fears. One by one, Avery’s mother explains that monsters, werewolves, mummies, and other creatures all sleep at night, just like children—except for vampires, who “just sleep during the day” (which isn’t actually all that reassuring). Subtle background textures help enliven otherwise flat images, which don’t evoke much trepidation on Avery’s part (Marts seems more interested in capturing the homey details of Avery’s house and the monsters’ crypts and lairs). By book’s end, Avery is fully reassured, even bidding the monsters good night (it turns out they are all her neighbors—perhaps a move is in order?). It’s a mild and somewhat unfocused offering, but similarly timid readers might find comfort in knowing that vampires and skeletons sleep with teddy bears and nightcaps. Ages 3–7. Agency: Bright Agency.

August 1, 2015
"Avery never liked bedtime, and she liked it even less on Halloween when all the monsters were out." Fearful that monsters may be in her closet or under her bed, Avery sneaks back downstairs after her mother tucks her in. Her mother humors her daughter by offering logical answers to her litany of queries. In between working on the computer and washing dishes, Mom states that werewolves sleep in dens, ghosts settle down in "big haunted mansions," witches "go to bed the moment their potions are brewed," mummies rest in coffins, skeletons snooze in empty closets, and vampires get their shut-eye during the daytime. White dialogue bubbles contain most of the back and forth but switch to conventionally set text when the explanation is placed on a page without the speaker. Marts' illustrations mix cartoonlike characters (the monsters are particularly friendly-looking) set against textured backgrounds in appropriately moody hues of dark blues, purples, browns, and green. Observant readers will enjoy spotting Avery's cuddly cat in each spread-and they will be tickled by the gently surprising ending that proves Avery's fears aren't quite so imaginary after all. Share this with those looking for a benign Halloween story or for those children who always resist bedtime. (Picture book. 3-6)

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July 1, 2016
Using simple text and dialogue bubbles, Marts introduces readers to Avery, who, convinced there are monsters in her room, refuses to go to sleep. Avery's mother counters that each monster Avery names is asleep in its own milieu (werewolves in their dens, ghosts in their mansions, etc.). The sweet, clever concept is weakened by twee illustrations and an egregious logic gap regarding vampires.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)