Author: Barbara Jean Hicks
Illustrator: Alexis Deacon
Publisher: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2004
Age Level: 4-8
Themes: monsters, fear, family life
Opening: Nobody believes me, and my brother Buster says I’m a fraidy-cat, but I’m not fooling you: there’s a boy who hides in my big old monster closet all night long and then sneaks under my bed in the morning on purpose to scare me.
Summary: (from the publisher) Bobo is a young monster who’s afraid to sleep in his own bed. He is sure there is a boy hiding beneath it – a boy with “pink skin and orange fur on his head where his horns should be.” Bobo’s older brother thinks he’s a fraidy-cat, but his grandpa, Boo-Dad, knows all about these fearful creatures. And Boo-Dad knows exactly what to do to scare them away. But after being afraid for so long, Bobo might just want to take matters into his own paws and find out if the creature under his bed really is as bad as he thinks.
Why I like this book: The illustrations are unique, which is why I checked this out from my library, but the rhythms and sounds throughout the text had me reading it over and over again.Good old-fashioned storytelling with a delightful twist.
Resources/Activities: Draw your own monster; make paper-bag monster puppets; make your own jam – try frog jam (fig, raspberry, orange and ginger); be Bobo for Halloween: make a monstermask, dress in ‘jammies, and carry a reptile stuffed animal.
Visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog for more Perfect Picture Books, listed alphabetically, by title, theme and age level, including resources and activity ideas for teachers.
Those illustrations are very different from typical picture book fare. What an interesting book.
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Totally! I might not have gone for it, but this time the story won me over, and over!
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I think I heard of this one. This has to be my favorite of today’s pbs.
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aaargh, I wrote a very similar story a couple of months ago, I guess I need to check this out and see if mine is unique enough!
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Do, you never know! And monster stories seem pretty popular right now (at least from the titles my library orders!)
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Love the concept of this book and LOVE that cover! Perfect story for Halloween time too! Thanks for sharing, Julie! 🙂
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The art is rather unique for a picture book.
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Love that cover, and the story sounds great! (And how I wish I had kids, so we could make some FROG jam! Wonderful idea!) Thanks, Julie.
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Sounds like a fun Xmas gift idea too!
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Will have to check this one out. Thanks!
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I really like this cover. It’s one that I would pull off the shelf. And a book with Rhythm is just my cup of tea! I think I’ll look for this one. Thanks!
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So you are ‘guilty’ of the influence of a groovy cover too, eh? Often, that is exactly how I choose (as I go through the alphabet – I’m on the S’s at the moment). Hope you enjoy it!
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This is adorable, love that cover. Will Make a great xmas gift to! Thanks Julie!
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How fun this looks. I like the spider peeking out from the sandwich on the cover. Will have to jitterbug my way to the library and check it out. Thanks, Julie.
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Glad to have put you in the groove!
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I love the twist. I’ll keep this one in mind for when the monsters appear under my kids’ beds.
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Did you ever watch the PBS film Cranford? In it one of the characters rolls a ball of yarn under the bed, just to check!
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The illustrations have a very different feel than most monster books. Just ordered from the library. Thanks for the introduction to a new book.
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So glad it interested you!
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I love the idea of this book! It’s really cute! This would be a great bedtime story!:)
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Tis true!
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I”m with Joanna, having just written a similar tale. Monster books are popular and often publishers just want one of a kind. This book sounds so cute and adorable. Will have to check it out. 🙂
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I don’t know that the look is what I would call adorable – it has a darker quality to it – but the illustrations will grab you!
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Sounds like one that HAS to go on my library list! Your description of the illustrations and the delightful twist have me curious!
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Hope you like it!
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Sounds like a great book. The illustrations look like fun. Must be a monster PPB week. Sorry I’m late responding, but have been traveling.
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No need for sorrys – nice to hear someone is out there seeing the world when I can’t! Hope your travels were more than pleasant!
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