Review by Horn Book Review
With her colander helmet, gloves, flashlight, and snacks, intrepid Emi is ready to fight the monsters that "come out at night to be SPOOKY!" Emi sets a trap and crawls under the covers to wait. All's quiet until pup Cookie chases a ball out of the bedroom, and now Emi must venture into the dark to rescue her friend. The speech-bubble text helps convey just the right amount of scary; Tysoe's cartoon illustrations are drawn with a light hand, giving Emi's adventures a playful rather than tense vibe. Emi's flashlight beam doesn't reveal any monsters, but the illustrations show what's hiding in the inky blue shadows. The monsters emerge once Emi falls asleep..."Little girls are so scary!" (c) Copyright 2023. 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
A tot prepares for bedtime--and the monsters that come with it. Armed with a colander on her head, a trusty flashlight, and a map of the monsters' favorite hiding spots, Emi is ready. She just needs to stay very quiet and wait for a monster to spring her trap. Unfortunately, her dog, Cookie, doesn't understand the importance of stillness. Cookie bounds after a ball, leaving Emi to face the dark unknown and attempt a daring rescue. Sweeping her flashlight from room to room, Emi searches for Cookie. Fluffy, friendly-looking monsters cower in the shadows as she passes. Emi's courage shines through in comic-style speech bubbles: "I'm not SCARED!" she declares, just in case the monsters are listening (they are). Muted blue surroundings show the monsters, who are just as afraid of Emi as she is of them. Luckily, they duck in time and are never caught in her flashlight's beam. Goggle-eyed Emi is the epitome of determination. "There aren't even ANY monsters here. So boring." Rich illustrations offer well-timed guffaws and silliness. The plucky protagonist is light-skinned; the monsters--furry, horned, and spiky. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Bravery at its best. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
