I Want to Be in a Scary Story

The bold-hued, digitally colored ink illustrations, which are very funny in spite of being scary, work well with the chatty text to create a dynamic that leaves readers and listeners eager to engage with the story.

Jullien's illustrations are suitably creepy, but because the narrator tells Little Monster in advance what will happen with each turn of the page, they shouldn't be anything readers can't handle.

In a sweet twist on the books-about-books theme from the duo behind Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise, a small purple monster asks an artist to craft a scary story for him. The artist is offstage; readers see only the monster, whose snaggly teeth, small horns, and generally unthreatening demeanor suggest that things won't get overly frightening. "We could start the story in a dark and scary forest," the artist offers. "That's a good idea," says Little Monster; their conversations are color coded so it's always clear who's talking. The obliging creator supplies a forbidding, decrepit mansion surrounded by leering trees, prompting an "Oh my golly gosh!" from the startled monster. "Is that too scary? Would you rather it was just a spooky house?" "That sounds better," says Little Monster, relieved. It's ideally suited to readers who prefer knowing what's going to happen in their scary story before it actually happens; Little Monster always says what he needs, and the creator is always willing to make adjustments. Underneath the light chills and thrills is an exploration of setting limits and feeling safe, handled with warmth and humor. Ages 2-5. (July)

PreS-Gr 1--A conversation between Little Monster and an unseen narrator plays out through a series of alternating visual spreads. Initially, the purple monster is positioned on a solid white background. As the narrator begins telling a story, the monster enters the scene like a movie backdrop. As details about the tale change, the monster goes in and out of the scene as it shifts. Capturing the exact teetering feeling of a child who wants to be adventurous, Little Monster is simultaneously thrilled and afraid. The narrator asks, "Is that too scary?" "Just a little!" answers Little Monster. Eventually he decides that he wants to do the scaring, taking control of the narrative and turning it around. The digital illustrations look as though they were created with markers, making them well suited to the idea of a child coming up with ideas. The interactive nature of the text invites readers to imagine their own versions and how they would respond given the monster's choices. VERDICT A fun premise, imaginative book design, and appealing illustrations make this book a terrific choice for spooky-themed storytimes.--Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VAIllustration above: Little Skeletons Countdown to Midnight/Esqueletitos un libro contar en El Dia de los Muertos (Jaramillo) (c)2017 by Susie Jaramillo