There's an Alligator under My Bed [Hardcover]

Mercer Mayer (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Series: There's a.

The nightmare's gone, but what about that alligator? You have to be so careful getting in and out of bed! Maybe a midnight snack to lure him into the garage will do the trick. In this funny and beloved follow-up, Mercer Mayer faces another nighttime fear head-on.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 In one or two lines of text per page and large, boldly colored illustrations, Mercer tells the tale of a little boy who is sure that there is an alligator under his bed. Getting no sympathy from his parents who ``never saw it,'' he forms a plan of attack. He leaves a trail of food from his bed through the house to the garage door. He then follows behind as the alligator gobbles up the goodies, fresh vegetables, fruit, and even ``the last piece of pie,'' making its way to the garage. The boy then locks the door. The last page shows the note he leaves for his father, telling him that there's an alligator in the garage and to wake him up ``if you need help.'' Children will relate to this young hero's triumph over normal childhood fears, and they'll love his clever solution to his problem. The book gleams with crisp full-color watercolor illustrations, and the alligator has just the right touch of scariness. The little boy is obviously a child of the 1980s, with his hot wheels tricycle and robot transformer type toys, but the story is timeless. Sure to become as popular as Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet (Dial, 1968) and bound to be a storyhour staple.Patricia Homer, Lowville Acad . , N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Mercer Mayer is the award-winning author and illustrator of over 300 books for children. He lives in Roxbury, Connecticut.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (March 30, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803703740
• ISBN-13: 978-0803703742
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Alligators & Crocodiles

More About the Author

Mercer Mayer has been writing and illustrating children's books for over 35 years. He began the popular Little Critter series nearly 30 years ago and titled the first book Just for You. His wife, Gina, has been co-writing the series since the early 1990s. The books in this series address the major issues of growing up through humorous storytelling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent story about overcoming fear, August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: There's an Alligator under My Bed (Hardcover)

In this Mercer Mayer classic, children are enthralled to find a little boy who insists that there is an alligator living under his bed. My kindergarten students love the child's antics as he tries to catch the alligator. When I teach facts about alligators, I use this book to help the children understand the difference between facts and fantasy. Also, by listing the foods that the child uses for alligator bait in the story, children can make a nice salad. This book gets imagination running and enthusiasm in high gear!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Theres an Alligator under my Bed, October 29, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: There's an Alligator under My Bed (Hardcover)

This book is about a boy who has an alligator under his bed and he is the only one who sees it. His parents don't believe him so he has to get it out for himself. So he goes down to the kitchen and gets some Alligator bait and makes a trail from his bed to the Garage and waits for the alligator to come out. He follows him down the stairs and to the garage. When the alligator gets to the garage he hurries up and shuts the door and goes back to bed. But then he realizes what if his dad can't get the car out of the garage because the alligator is in the way. So he leaves his dad a little note telling him that there is an alligator in the garage and if he needs help getting it out to call him.
I like this book because it is cute and funny. I used to love to read this book when I was a little kid in elementary school. I think a lot of kids did well at my school. I also liked this book because it is short and easy for little kids to read. I recommend this for little kids in elementary school.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever and empowering!, November 24, 2001

By 

L. C. MCWILLIAMS "Reading Mom" (Flower Mound, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: There's an Alligator under My Bed (Hardcover)

I read to children weekly (...) and this book is always a hit. It will capture the full attention of children of all ages and spark their imagination as well. It is fun to read and so clearly makes a hero of the little boy that it always invokes a cheer from the crowd! This book is a must for your child's library, but remember to remind them that there won't be any alligator's under their bed (they will ask)!