At once tender and funny, this monster bedtime story is guaranteed to generate giggles, tickles, and plenty of monster hugs.

Although the book's characters are monsters, they are portrayed as lovable and caring creatures with a few monster eccentricities that cause young children to both adore them and giggle at the monster-silliness. Just as human mothers lovingly take care of their children, monster mamas do too, but with a few minor tweaks. For example, instead of baking chocolate chip cookies, they make "cookies filled with bugs." Kids will struggle with deciding whether that is hilarious or yucky but will probably decide it's a combination of the two. The illustrations are bright and colorful while staying true to a monster theme by integrating plenty of cobwebs and cute creepy-crawlies.

With silly rhymes that are easy to remember, kids can become a part of the story by filling in the blanks. Kids can also practice their counting skills by adding up the monster's three eyes, four arms and three legs. One page of the story shows children that monsters are just as afraid of people as people are of monsters, which may help quell the fear of a monster-in-the-closet.

Thanks to the adorable and funny monsters, this book quickly became a favorite of Emily, the three-year-old I babysit. She was hooked from the title page illustration of the monster mama pushing the kid monster on a swing to the final page of the monster mama tucking her son into bed with a kiss. She loved that some of the monsters activities, such as playing on the jungle gym, were also her favorites, although she decided she'd rather swim in a pool than the swamp.

--Abby

This is such a cute book. It is the story of a young monster and he tells how he knows that his monster mama loves him. The examples are cute and funny like baking him cookies filled with bugs and cheering for him at his "beastball" games. It is all told in rhyme and in a style that a 3-year old can really relate to. It also has really cute illustrations that make the little monster and his mama seem very cute even though they have 3 eyes each!

We have been reading this book everyday. It is one of Gaige's current favorites. We love to read it (and re-read it) before nap time everyday. It is funny and sweet and it is a great book to read while cuddling with my little people.