Under my bed by John Dickson

Berbay Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9780994384133
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Under my bed is a fun picture book all about those monsters hiding in the dark places of a child's bedroom. What if the monsters had a party? Would you be invited? It is your room after all. Imagine lying in your bed while monsters move around your room. Our main character is doing just that! He can hear them making sandwiches and crushing snails. He can see the shapes of their bodies in the dark but enough is enough. If he has to lay here listening then he may as well join in! Will the monsters let him?
Under my bed is all about overcoming your fears because those fears might actually be a lot of fun. The illustrations are cast in shadows, making them seem scary in the dark. The white monster eyes add to this but they aren't scary, they are fun, especially as you read about what is going on. The story also rhymes, reading like a poem but with the elements of a story. It is descriptive and engaging, making it a great read aloud story for parents and in classrooms. The rhyming element is great for older children learning to write their own rhymes or if writing about their fears and changing them to seem fun and harmless.
Under my bed would also be good for the Child Protection Curriculum, supporting children to talk about and identifying feelings. This story is highly recommended for readers aged 7+.
Kylie Kempster