The Night Monster

The Night Monster is the story of a young boy who has trouble sleeping because he is afraid of many things associated with night: shadows, noises, his curtains moving. He tells his sister that there is a night monster. She suggests he draw a picture of the monster and lock it away in a box. He does, but he is still afraid, so she suggests that he write a letter to the monster. The monster replies to him, saying that it is not a monster. The two write letters back and forth, discussing the night things that scare the boy. In the end, the boy is no longer afraid of the night – and we discover that it was his sister who was writing the monster’s replies.

There is so much to love about this book! It’s such a great idea: writing to what you fear. I think this is a helpful exercise for kids. The illustrations are artistic and interesting. Some of the letters are part of the pictures, some are flaps to open. The letters are my favorite part. I’m not sure the reader needs to know that it was his sister writing the letters. That part could have been subtler, perhaps. But overall, I loved this book. I think it’s a great story for parents and children to read together and discuss.