Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Bedtime gets rebooted with a "monstrous" twist in Wilson's exuberant, imagination-fueled picture book. As a pale-skinned youth preps for bed, the routine unfurls with "a cup of water,// a fan whirring/ gently,/ a story, and a song." But the telling takes an ebullient turn when the child is awakened by a sock-wearing, tentacled monster beneath the bed claiming, "I'm not sleepy." The pair gets to work recreating the original bedtime formula--with an energetic flair. Thanks to an overflowing sink, the drink of water leaves the deep teal creature "soggy" rather than "sleepy," and the fans used to rectify the situation end up creating a windstorm. Scratchy drawings deftly capture the chaos via homey scenes that grow increasingly cluttered amid the pair's invigorating play. After dozens of books and a rousing vocal performance, the child finally begins to yawn--and the bedtime routine's third time finally proves a charm. Ages 4--8. (Aug.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--Even the best bedtime routines don't always work on the first try. In this playful and humorous take on the monster under the bed, readers meet a monster who is simply not tired after their usual bedtime routine and a child who is more than willing to help by repeating the steps. The routine, which fits neatly on the first page, seems to grow more monstrous with each page turn. Having a cup of water leads to an overflowing kitchen sink, and a fan whirring gently becomes a collection of fans so powerful that the monster's socks are nearly blown off! Sometimes it isn't just the steps of a routine that make it work but the energy brought to those steps, and this monster's calm is contagious. Wilson's clear and simple sentences leave room for several impressive spreads done in exuberant pen and ink. Readers will enjoy combing through the images and poring over the details. The child presents as white with ginger hair. VERDICT A fantastical story about a child's friendship with a monster is sure to elicit thoughtful laughter and suspenseful page turns, and while it's not a must, it may fill a hole in collections.--Sarah Pousty
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A child has a simple bedtime routine with their caregivers: "A cup of water, a fan whirring gently, a story, and a song." When it doesn't work for the friendly, not-sleepy, octopus-like monster under the bed, the human child takes matters into their own hands. The basic steps stay the same, while the child's over-the-top execution shown in the illustrations is entertaining, if not exactly soothing: the cup of water is more like a flood, and so many fans are set up to whir that they almost blow away the monster and the pet cat. The child's and monster's deadpan assessments in speech bubbles of why the steps didn't work ("Maybe it wasn't gentle enough?") add to the sweet humor. A full-scale production of the routine's finale (a song) tuckers the child out, and their monster buddy tries the steps "one more time," finally successful in a now comfortingly messy room. Wilson's (One Foggy Christmas Eve, rev. 11/24) digitally colored pen-and-ink illustrations in relaxing blues and glowing yellows and pinks are decorated with swirls of music and other cheerful details to discover with each re-read. A pitch-perfect addition to any little monster's nightly routine. Monica de los ReyesSeptember/October 2025 p.55 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An ode to bedtime anxieties and a love letter to the rituals that soothe them. Having drunk a cup of water, listened to a story, and sung a song, a pale-skinned youngster is snuggled up and ready to snooze when…wait a moment…has anyone checked on the monster under the bed? Unfortunately, the child's supernatural roommate is wide awake, but our plucky, problem-solving protagonist has a plan. Taking the creature by the tentacle, the child repeats the bedtime routine with the monster in tow--but, self-assured to a fault and with a flair for the dramatic, the empathetic tot inadvertently wreaks havoc at every turn. By the time the monster, an octopodan shadow more hapless than spooky, carries the kid to bed once more, they've both left behind a series of comedically chaotic surprises for the parents who'll rouse them come morning. A departure from more classically monstrous bedtime fare, this narrative removes fear from the equation entirely, offering an innovative, collaborative spin on the relationship between child and monster. Likely to become a part of readers' own bedtime routines, this nighttime tale feels like a recipe for a sedating witch's brew. A complement to her comforting text, Wilson's illustrative use of negative space is reminiscent of Maurice Sendak's work--one of many homages to another iconic bedtime tale--and her palette and art style evoke a vintage, Sunday-paper comic. The effect is thoroughly charming. A creature feature worthy of every child's nightly routine.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
