Monsters are real! But, so are little boys.
Iza Trapani was born in Poland and when she first came to the United States at the age of seven, she learned English in large part by reading a book of Mother Goose nursery rhymes. She is the author of many books for children, including the best-selling The Itsy Bitsy Spider, which recently celebrated its twentieth anniversary. Iza lives in Upstate New York.
Iza Trapani was born in Poland and when she first came to the United States at the age of seven, she learned English in large part by reading a book of Mother Goose nursery rhymes. She is the author of many books for children, including the best-selling The Itsy Bitsy Spider, which recently celebrated its twentieth anniversary. Iza lives in Upstate New York.
Could the sleeping child and the monster in the closet possibly
become best friends?
Unlike most children, young Gabe is not scared of monsters, a nice
coincidence, since a big purple monster named Goon lives in the
little white boy's bedroom closet. Goon, however, is scared of
children. He finds them "odd and kooky," even "absolutely spooky."
Gabe happens to have a cold, and when Goon hears him sneezing and
blowing his nose, the sneeze booms like thunder, and the honk
sounds like a terrifying tuba. Goon's knees knock, and he makes the
hangers in the closet clatter. So Gabe discovers Goon, who promptly
bolts from the closet and hides under the bed. Goon tries to scare
Gabe, but the more gruesome the face he makes, the harder Gabe
laughs. Goon tries stomping and doing his zombie walk, but neither
move shakes the giggles out of Gabe. The tables are turned when a
spider walks by, and Gabe hides in the closet. In the same instant,
the pair realizes that they're not so different and become the best
of friends. Since it's bedtime, the new besties share a nice scary
story about monsters before lights out. The Muppet-like Goon is
both goofy and adorable, and Trapani's rhyming text bounces
blithely along.
A familiar message, but also a crucial and timely one, charmingly
presented.
--Kirkus Reviews
Could the sleeping child and the monster in the closet possibly become best friends? Unlike most children, young Gabe is not scared of monsters, a nice coincidence, since a big purple monster named Goon lives in the little white boy's bedroom closet. Goon, however, is scared of children. He finds them "odd and kooky," even "absolutely spooky." Gabe happens to have a cold, and when Goon hears him sneezing and blowing his nose, the sneeze booms like thunder, and the honk sounds like a terrifying tuba. Goon's knees knock, and he makes the hangers in the closet clatter. So Gabe discovers Goon, who promptly bolts from the closet and hides under the bed. Goon tries to scare Gabe, but the more gruesome the face he makes, the harder Gabe laughs. Goon tries stomping and doing his zombie walk, but neither move shakes the giggles out of Gabe. The tables are turned when a spider walks by, and Gabe hides in the closet. In the same instant, the pair realizes that they're not so different and become the best of friends. Since it's bedtime, the new besties share a nice scary story about monsters before lights out. The Muppet-like Goon is both goofy and adorable, and Trapani's rhyming text bounces blithely along. A familiar message, but also a crucial and timely one, charmingly presented. --Kirkus Reviews
Ask a Question About this Product More... |