Overview
What kid doesn't suspect that there are monsters lurking under the bed, behind the shower curtain, in the basement, and even outside by the garbage cans? Mercer Mayer brilliantly and hilariously captures this classic childhood fear—and conquers it! Kids will cheer as the young hero of the story takes matters into his own hands by learning karate. Soon he has the monsters running scared!
There's a Nightmare in My Closet and its two terrific sequels are cherished favorites that have amused millions of readers, and continue selling year after year. Now Mercer Mayer has created a fresh new story and fabulous illustrations that will thrill and empower kids, a story that taps into a universal experience but with a super satisfying, karate twist!
A boy who is certain that his house is filled with monsters takes a karate class in order to vanquish them.
Synopsis
What kid doesn't suspect that there are monsters lurking under the bed, behind, the shower curtain, in the basement, and even outside by the garbage cans? Mercer Mayer brilliantly and hilariously captures this classic childhood fear—and conquers it! Kids will cheer as the young hero of the story takes matters into his own hands by learning karate. Soon he has the monsters running scared!
There's a Nightmare in My Closet and its two terrific sequels are cherished favorites that have amused millions of readers, and continue selling year after year. Now Mercer Mayer has created a fresh new story and fabulous illustrations that will thrill and empower kids, a story that taps into a universal experience but with a super satisfying, karate twist!
Publishers Weekly
Mercer Mayer, creator of There's a Nightmare in My Closet and There's an Alligator Under My Bed now suggests There Are Monsters Everywhere. The boy narrator far prefers flying a kite outside with his dog: "There were monsters everywhere in my house," he begins, although they hide when Mom's around, and Dad insists there aren't any. Mayer's full-page and spot illustrations of finely outlined striped and polka-dotted beasts hiding by the trash cans and behind the shower curtain substantiate the boy's fears-until he takes karate classes and comes to his own defense. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
Mercer Mayer, creator of There's a Nightmare in My Closet and There's an Alligator Under My Bed now suggests There Are Monsters Everywhere. The boy narrator far prefers flying a kite outside with his dog: "There were monsters everywhere in my house," he begins, although they hide when Mom's around, and Dad insists there aren't any. Mayer's full-page and spot illustrations of finely outlined striped and polka-dotted beasts hiding by the trash cans and behind the shower curtain substantiate the boy's fears-until he takes karate classes and comes to his own defense. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
Mayer's monster is back and he has his friends with him. They are everywhere; hiding behind doors, standing just the other side of the shower curtain, sitting on the bottom bunk bed, and hanging out by the garbage cans. These monsters are clever. Mom and Dad are totally fooled; they do not believe there are monsters anywhere. The young boy must take matters into his own hands. He discovers Karate and his parents agree that he can take classes. He learns a lot of scary moves and even breaks a board with his bare hand. Watch out, Monsters! The boy practices his karate yell and kick when he takes out the garbage. He does karate punches in the shower, and he walks right down the basement stairs to put the monsters there on notice. The monsters are properly frightened. Now they are the ones on the run. Mayer's signature illustrations feature monsters of various sizes, colors, and designs. One of the largest is wearing braces. They all exhibit adolescent behaviors in their efforts to annoy the boy and hide from the parents. A good basis for discussing ways to overcome fears. 2005, Dial, Ages 4 to 9.—Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.