This book is sweet and adorable and gives an alternate view of children’s fears, a laugh, and can be for Halloween or everyday. ( )

When his family moves to a new house - a lovely, old, new house - Howard is excited at first. Then he has to go to sleep in his big, old bed, and he becomes convinced that there is a monster underneath it. His mother assures him that there is no such thing as monsters. Monster, meanwhile, is convinced that there is a scary boy above his bed, and although his mother tells him that boys are just pretend, he isn't convinced. Each young creature tries his mother's patience, as he cries out again and again in alarm. But what will happen when Harold and Monster come face to face...?

An amusing bedtime reassurance tale, No Such Thing reminds me quite a bit of such titles as Mercer Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet, or Dr. Seuss's What Was I Scared Of?, both of which explore the idea of our childhood boogeymans being every bit as afraid of us, as we are of them. The resolution of the story here will offer comfort to young children afraid of what might be lurking in the dark, while the very last page will leave them giggling. The artwork, done by Betty Lewin in pen and ink and watercolor, is full of movement and fun, as might be expected from the illustrator of the Click, Clack, Moo books. I don't know that these illustrations are as accomplished as those in the Cronin books, but then, this was an earlier title. Recommended to anyone looking for humorous reassurance stories for the picture-book set. ( )

A boy and his family move into a big old house which he loves--until it gets dark and he’s afraid of the monster under the bed. Meanwhile the monster under the bed is afraid of the boy on top of the bed. Both call out repeatedly to their mothers who assure them that there are no such things as boys/monsters. When the boy and monster hear each other crying they fearfully check the other out only to find they’re both equally scared. They become friends and decide to play a trick on their mothers.

funny take on the monster under the bed problem. For older kids. ( )

What a funny story! A perfect twist on the ages old story of the monster under the bed. The ending makes me want to write a second story about what happens next. It's a lot of fun. ( )