Customer Reviews

The Boy Under The Bed

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A colorful book that doesn't quite reach its potential, "The Boy Under the Bed" is about a young monster, Giles, with nighttime fears that a BOY may be hiding under his bed! When he calls his big-headed (literally), tusked parents into his room, the boy disappears. (The parents later comfort/admonish their son by saying "...THERE ARE NO SUCH THINGS AS BOYS.") But Giles knows better:

"But once the lights are turned out that mischievous boy is at it again, whooping, hollering, and laughing. Jumping from the dresser to the floor and thumping against the door. Wearing a sheet and saying "BOO TO YOU!!!"

Preston McClear and Nicholas Dollak produce playful, colorful books: There's a purposeful discontinuity between the illustrations (a poster on the monster's bedroom door changes 3 times in 3 successive pages) and the effect is like the "I Spy" books or "Where's Waldo.' The monsters are-let's face it-refreshingly ugly, unlike the shaggy but adorable creatures of Maurice Sendak. Still, the first section of the book lacks sufficient imagination, the writing is sometimes a bit forced, and most of the illustrations are from one perspective only-it's a little flat.

The second "act" is much better, as Giles breaks out of his bedroom to courageously help the boy find his way back home. And what a home it is! After journeying through "door #10" they climb a spiral staircase to a `mighty tree-house perched in the skies." It's a remarkable illustration.... row upon row of beds in a Central Park like setting; it's a multi-treed tree house! Boys appear from everywhere, climbing and swinging like monkeys and quite easily forming an easy friendship with the formerly scary boy: "Three cheers for my friend the monster!" Freed from the confines of Gile's bedroom, Nicholas Dollak produces beautiful, cinematic images of the boys and monster romping about the vast tree house.

I would have liked to see more of this imaginative style in the beginning of the book. Still, the subtle message about facing your fears and finding similarities is a helpful one, and the tree house scenes and peaceful ending make it a satisfying experience. (52 pages of text and illustrations on very high quality paper; Malibu again sets a standard for quality production.) Look for McClear and Dollak's stunning "The Sailor and the Sea Witch" and the very funny "Frannie and Pickles" as well!

Children live in a world of magic in which what they can imagine becomes real. As a result, most children are afraid of imaginary monsters in their rooms as some point. This story builds on that point to help children seen that this view may be a little foolish.

Instead of a child being afraid of monsters, this is a book about a little monster named Giles who's afraid of boys! And he has good reason to be . . . because when the clock strikes ten a boy dressed as in Native American headdress appears under the bed and dances all about. The monster parents are called, and provide the customary parental advice, "Boys don't exist today." The hijinks continue every night until dawn, when the boy disappears under the bed again. When Giles sings a song of prayer one night, the boy talks to him. Threatened with more prayers, the boy admits he needs help. "I've lost my way. Won't you please let me stay?" Giles learns that the boy is afraid of monsters, too! Giles helps the boy find his way home again and enjoys playing with the boy and his friends. Now, nights are a pleasure for both! So when a monster comes out from under the boy's bed, it's because they want to be together.

As interesting as the story is, the illustrations are the strongest part of this book. The colors are bright and the details are a little rough like a child might put into her or his drawings and watercolors. There are little surprises that provide delight. For example, Giles looks just like a little boy sleeping in his room on page two. Then you get a different feeling when he turns around on page 4. His "monster" exterior is softened by having him wear glasses! The action sequences by the boy reminded me of Where the Wild Things Are. In addition, there are subtle alterations in the same scene from illustration to illustration. Children can seek the changes . . . a childhood favorite in our household.

Alas, I don't have any young children to read this book to. I hope you do!

A most hilarious hook for children and adults. Kids will have a great time reading and looking for hidden treasures on every page.

In this monster world, boy's live under the monster boys' beds. Giles always shouts when he sees the boy and his parents come rushing in, only to see nothing. But when Giles finds out that the boy can't find his way home when he tells him to leave, Giles and the boy find another world full of boys like him. They become friends after all.

I thought this was an exceptional book of a great concept by Preston McClear, and awesome drawings by Nicholas Dollak. This team of writer and illustrator have just made their mark in the children's world of books.

I suggest this book for all children to read. I guarantee that they will be picking it up again and again to look for more hidden things in the pages! Great job guys!

By Lisa, BookReviewCafe.com

The Boy Under The Bed is a charming story. My Four year old loves baby monster Giles. He especially loves the illustrations of the great tree house in the sky where all the boys live.

I like the way the story teaches children to conquer their fears. The Boy Under The Bed is imaginative and fun. A great bed time story.

Wow! If there were ten stars, I would give this book that many, if only for the fantastic idea of reversing a familiar situation that most children fear (a monster under the bed) and making it a BOY under a little monster's bed. Clever, Mr. McClear. And this fab author didn't stop at the idea, he wove it into an awesome story that held me spell-bound, as I'm sure it did his many fans of all ages. I grabbed this book right out of my granddaughter's hands because the idea intrigued me so much, and the storyline grabbed me and wouldn't let go until the last word. I highly recommend this book
Betty Dravis is the author of THE TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY, a book for kids of all ages that has been endorsed by the Vice Mayor of San Jose, and an adult adventure thriller, MILLENNIUM BABE: THE PROPHECY

Giles lives in a bedroom like many other youngsters his age, "...full of knick knacks, brick bracks & other snacks," but he's not exactly like you and me - Giles is a monster. His room, a peaceful place during the day, morphs into a house of horrors when the dark night sky heralds the arrival of the boy under the bed. The boy is frightening as he scurries about, keeping Giles from a decent night's sleep. Mother and Father are no help - those tricky boys are very clever and can make themselves invisible, if the need arises. So Giles, determined to regain some peace, as well as some Z's, decides to take matters into his own hands. He recites a song that brings the boy to tears. The boy wants to leave, but can't find his way home. Climbing under the bed, armed with a flashlight, Giles helps the boy to find his way back. After spending a bit of time together, the boy and Giles realize an important universal truth - no matter what a being looks like on the outside, we are all pretty much the same on the inside. Young monsters and young boys both like to play and they both can feel alone and afraid when they are lost in the dark. Full of colorful and imaginative illustrations, this twist on the popular notion of monsters hiding under the bed will appeal to young girls, boys, and monsters everywhere. --Reviewed by Michelle Smith

This book has really nice gentle, humorous illustrations. & I think any person who's ever been afraid of the dark can appreciate this book. The fact that the boys and monsters become friends once they get to know each other is a very positive message for kids. Best of all, the book doesn't preach.

I liked the book because it was interesting and exciting

What a clever idea for a story! I wish this one was around when I was a little girl, I was always afraid of the monsters under my bed. My two smallest children (6 and 9) thought it was great. It made them feel happy at night when the lights go out. The illustrations are wonderful and imaginative, they add so much to the story. This is a real winner, my children loved it!

I purchased 'The Boy Under The Bed' and 'The Sailor and The Sea Witch'. Santa delivered them to my 6 yr old son and 8 yr old daughter. We just finished reading 'The Boy Under The Bed' and I must say the story was very entertaining for my children and I. Is there a chance that there will be a sequel to this story? My son hopes so. Keep up the good work and best of luck to the success of your stories.