Customer Reviews

The Flat Man (Creepies)

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

 

 

This review is meant to SAVE "THE FLAT MAN"! Sure, if you want a namby-pamby safe tidy nightie-night, keep looking. This book is scary and deliciously so. It's memorable, imaginative, and creepy like Alvin Schwartz's younger stuff. My daughter loved "The Flat Man" and she grew up valedictorian of her class. It won't ruin your child!

I read the previous reviews of this book, and I see the conflicting views. I loved this book when I was young (I was probably about seven or so when I first read it), and I occasionally read it again for nostalgia. I wouldn't recommend it for kids under seven or those that are easily frightened, but the interesting thing about the story is that the boy imagines the scary creature called the Flat Man for the fun of it. Even though his imaginary creature is frightening, he enjoys it, comes up with his own solution for defeating it, and acts out a triumphant battle with it. Those who don't mind a bit of spookiness will appreciate the boy's imagination and giggle at how he gets a bit carried away with his fantasy.

A little boy lies in bed at night, amusing himself with imagining that every sound he hears is the Flat Man, a paper-thin creature that can sneak in anywhere, squeeze himself through any crack. But, the Flat Man has weaknesses: he's afraid of light and open spaces. The boy acts out his duel with the imaginary Flat Man, enjoying his triumph . . . right up until his father comes in to find out what's going on.

For some reason, my daughter's school librarian thought it would be a good idea to read this book to the class. She was wrong! This is a terrible book for children. My 6 year old is having nightmares worrying that The Flat Man is coming to get her. The Flat Man does not ease childrens' fears about the dark, it creates new ones.

My 2 1/2 year old son's pre-school started reading this book, the kids love it when it is being read, but my son is going around closing doors and sleeping under his covers at night and has also had screeming episodes during the night. He has been pretending to put the flatman under our basement stairs storage area. I would not recommend this book for children under 5. Why put these thoughts into such young minds (the dark is scarry enough for them :)