I Will Read to You

Sterer (The Disappearing Mr. Jacques) gives winning warmth to this faintly haunted readaloud celebration in verse. As "Mother tucks me into bed./ 'Let's pick a book we haven't read, ' " distant cries outside signal the restlessness of young monsters, who the narrator suggests could use a story of their own. The mother protests, but the child prevails: "They need love and comfort, too!/ How would you feel if it were you?" As the pale-skinned family enters the woods under a full moon, the child offers to read to dragons, giants, skeletons, vampires, and more. Summoned via appropriate phrases (to ghosts: "Open up your haunted hearts"), the horde of finely textured creatures in night-time colors by Santoso (Feathers Together) clamor to hear the story, then fall asleep (all except one, that is, which keen-eyed readers may spot). Some of the tale's humor flows from the portrayal of a child driven not by a wish to avoid bedtime, but by a genuine sense of purpose--an idea reinforced by the mother's final, solemn words: "Your work is done.... I am proud of you." Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Tamara Shannon, Shannon Associates. (Aug.)