Bedtime for Monsters

by Ed Vere, Ed Vere (Illustrator)

Overview

Bedtime for Monsters is Ed Vere's hilarious monsterish tale - with a big twist! What if a monster were looking for a bedtime snack? And what if that snack just happened to be you? GULP! He's getting closer and closer . . . and his tummy is rumbling REALLY loudly. You'd be very scared! BUT all this monster actually wants is a lovely monster-sized goodnight kiss. Night, night! Ed Vere is also the author and illustrator of Mr Big, the story about the big Gorilla with the big heart and The Getaway. Banana, his book for preschoolers, is the perfect book about manners but only has two words - 'yes please' of course! Ed Vere studied fine art at Camberwell College of Art and has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1999. He is published in both England and the US. Ed is also a painter, working from his studio in East London and is represented by galleries in London and Los Angeles. After a year and a half living in Barcelona, Ed now lives and works in London. Look out for the new animation of Fingers McGraw... coming soon!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780805095098
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	07/17/2012
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.90(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Ed Vere is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer & illustrator of picture books, including Max the Brave which was named one of The Sunday Times's '100 Modern Children's Classics'. He studied fine art at Camberwell College of Art and has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1999. Ed's books are published all over the world. He is also a painter, working from his studio in east London, and is represented by galleries in London and Los Angeles.

Editorial Reviews

Supposing there are monsters... do you think that this monster might be licking his lips and thinking about you?” writes Vere as a dopey-looking green monster with bug-eyes and a tongue hanging out of his mouth makes his way toward readers. As the monster approaches, Vere offers clues about what it might do when it arrives: “o you think he’ll decide you’ll taste even more delicious squished and then squashed onto hot buttered toast?” Vere carefully crafts suspense as the book progresses, amping up readers’ excitement and anticipation before the slobbery (but not scary) finale. Ages 3–up. (July)

Publishers Weekly

...an enjoyable goofy outing that will be widely enjoyed by kids and their monstrous, kissy grownups.” —BCCB

“Vere deftly uses the interplay between image and text to add humor and reassure readers that there is nothing to fear.” —Horn Book

“Vere carefully crafts suspense as the book progresses, amping up readers' excitement and anticipation before the slobbery (but not scary) finale.” —Publishers Weekly

“Share this cartoonish, mock-horror tale with the not-so-sleepy at bedtime or rely upon it as a superb storytime choice where all can have fun participating in the hilarious sound effects.” —Kirkus, starred

“With big, bold spreads and only two words ("Banana" and "Please"), Vere's (The Getaway) story about sharing packs impressive graphic force.” —Publishers Weekly on Banana!

“A lively title to share in a toddler storytime.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books on Banana!

“A fun choice for sharing with a group.” —School Library Journal on Banana!

“Minimalist text gains expression through varied punctuation and typeface, while speech balloons and other comic-book conventions (not to mention one spectacular simian tantrum) evoke a certain pigeon. Bold, expressive colors and exuberant lines characterize the artwork.” —Kirkus Reviews on Banana!

From the Publisher

PreS-Gr 2—This delightful book asks listeners to believe that monsters are real and to wonder if "this MONSTER might be licking his lips AND thinking about YOU?" They are also asked to imagine that he is on his way toward them right now and to question if "he's smiling because he remembered to pack his knife and fork?" Over the course of his journey, the monster traverses a dark forest, swamp, mountains, and a town, while maybe thinking how good listeners would be with ketchup or on toast. But after suspense builds and he turns a bedroom doorknob, kids will learn that (spoiler alert) all he wants is a big, sloppy goodnight kiss. As Vere's text ruminates on what the monster may be thinking, his illustrations depict a pea green, cartoony, large, mostly happy, not-very-bright-looking monster whose tongue hangs out of his smiling mouth and whose large eyes are open quite wide. Vere uses bright colors, thick lines, and just a little spooky darkness to convey the mood. The varied font sizes and styles add to the visual silliness and pseudo-scariness of the story. Excellent for storytime, bedtime, or anytime for all but the most easily frightened.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

School Library Journal

"Do YOU ever WONDER if somewhere, not too far away, there might be… / MONSTERS?" Whether readers do or not, it is hard to resist being swept up in the silly suspense of possibly becoming the target for this monster's hungry attention. A pea green, neon-pink–horned creature with big, white eyes and a wide-open mouth with yellow stubs of teeth comes off as more ridiculous than terrifying. But the language warns of his impending approach through pointed questions: "And as he crosses the gloopy, schloopy swamp…do you think he's imagining just HOW GOOD you'll taste all covered in ketchup?" Vere strikes the perfect balance of humor and thrills--so much so that readers may not know if they should be shaking with fear or laughter as the story progresses. After the monster happily rides his red bicycle through the "dark and terrible forest," "tiptoes through thorns and thistles" and "climbs up the cold and snowy mountains," getting ever closer, he arrives in town, creaks up the stairs and "opens your bedroom door" because "THIS monster wants… / a disgustingly sloppy GOODNIGHT KISS!" Share this cartoonish, mock-horror tale with the not-so-sleepy at bedtime or rely upon it as a superb storytime choice where all can have fun participating in the hilarious sound effects. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews