Review - Scaredy Monster

Scaredy Monster (Scaredy Monster #1)
by Meika Hashimoto
illustrated by Steve Lambe
Date: 2020
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 104
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Scaredy Monster has a BIG secret. He's not scary like many monsters—he’s a scaredy monster! From Epic! Originals, Scaredy Monster is an illustrated early reader series about conquering fears and trying new things!

Join Scaredy Monster as he overcomes his fears of losing a tooth, riding a bike, and going to his first sleepover. With some help from Mommy Monster, Scaredy discovers he’s much braver than he thought—and he finds ways to feel safe and happy while doing scary things!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is actually three stories in one. In the first, "Scaredy Monster Loses a Tooth", Scaredy Monster realizes one of his sharp front teeth is loose. He's heard horror stories from other little monsters about losing teeth, so he does everything he can think of to keep that tooth in place. Eventually, though, with some wise words from Mommy Monster, he realizes that losing teeth is just a part of growing up. In the second story, "Scaredy Monster Rides a Bike", the titular hero buys a bike from a yard sale. The only problem is, he doesn't really know how to ride it. His first attempt ends disastrously, and he becomes too scared to try again. But with Mommy Monster's help, he finds the courage to ride his bike again... and have a lot of fun! In the third story, "Scaredy Monster and the Slumber Party", Scaredy Monster goes to a sleepover at Timmy Monster's house. He thinks he's packed everything, but Teddy Monster somehow gets left behind. Scaredy Monster doesn't notice until he's frightened by a movie, and then when he can't find his toy, he wants to go home. Mommy Monster comes to the rescue once more, bringing Teddy Monster with her. Reassured, Scaredy Monster decides to stay and have fun with his friends.

It might look like Mommy Monster is rushing in to solve all of Scaredy Monster's problems, but really, she's just there to offer words of advice, to bandage scraped knees, and to reassure Scaredy Monster when he needs some encouragement. Scaredy Monster is always the one who makes the choice in the end to be brave, which is a nice message.

The illustrations are pretty cute. The monsters are not scary at all; in fact, some of them look rather silly. The pictures are all colourful and appealing, with nice little touches of detail throughout.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. Despite how it might appear given the length of the book, these are stories for very young children. As such, they would work as good bedtime reads (but probably only one at a time).

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5