There's a Monster Under My Bed [Paperback]

James Howe (Author), David S. Rose (Illustrator)

Book Description

Something is under Simon's bed. He can hear it breathing. Is it a monster? Simon has to find out. He shines a flashlight under the bed, to discover that something is hiding there -- but what?

This warm and humorous story will delight any child who has ever envisioned monsters lurking in the bedtime darkness.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2 Simon is sure there is something under his bed. In fact, he's positive he can hear it breathing and feel it thumping. As he stares into the darkness (it's his first time without a night light), he imagines what the monster under the bed looks like. A quick check under the bed with a flashlight reveals that there is something under thereyounger brother Alex, who is hiding from the monster he is certain is under his own bed. The brothers snuggle happily together in Simon's bed, safe at last . . .unconscious of a pair of eyes shining out from under their bed! Not for the very young or timid, this will nonetheless strike a responsive chord in many youngsters who have experienced similar fears. As Simon's anxiety grows, a new set of blobby monsters appears, looking rather more clumsy than sinister, and each more bemused than the last. Simon's wide-eyed, droll expressions match the text nicely, which is often choppy but reflective of a young boy's speech ("Now it's too late. He' s there. Waiting. Waiting for me."). Not a particularly good choice for a bedtime story, but still an amusing tale during the safe daylight hours.Kathleen Brachmann, Highland Park Public Library, Ill.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Something is under Simon's bed. He can hear it breathing. Is it a monster? Simon has to find out. He shines a flashlight under the bed, to discover that something is hiding there - but what?

This warm and humorous story will delight any child who has ever envisioned monsters lurking in the bedtime darkness.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (September 30, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689714092
• ISBN-13: 978-0689714092
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( H ) > Howe, James
  • #73 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Obsessions > Monsters

More About the Author

James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Kids Bool, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: There's a Monster Under My Bed (Hardcover)

This is a great book for kids who have just started not using a nite light. I read it with my nephew and this book taught him that there is nothing to be afraid of. This is a good bed time story book. Youll be surprised at the ending.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for 4 year olds, September 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: There's a Monster Under My Bed (Hardcover)

My son is 4 and this is his favorite book. I have read it to him over and over and he is never tired of it. The pictures of the monsters are cute, not scary.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Threw it Away!, November 12, 2006

By 

Jill Slagle "reading mom" (usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: There's a Monster Under My Bed (Paperback)

I bought this book to help my 5 yr. old get over his night time fears. This book added to his anxiety. The story starts out fine, brothers teasing each other...but, on the last page it shows the 2 boys in bed with a pair of eyes under the bed!!! What is this, Stephen King?!