Author: Holly Jahangiri
Illustrator: Jordan M. Vinyard
Publisher: 4RV Publishing LLC
Date: April 19, 2008
About The Author
Holly Jahangiri is a professional writer with over twenty years' experience in technical writing, freelancing, fiction, poetry, and editing.
What Is Under The Bed?
Stephen believes there is a monster under his bed. The monster repellent that his mother sprayed in his room is not working because Stephen hears the monster snoring under his bed each night. The monster snores and he talks in his sleep. Stephen knows the monster's name is Trockle and he is afraid the little fellow will eat him. Stephen's parents promise him that there is no reason to be afraid and consent to leaving the light on.
Trockle talks in his sleep because he is afraid of the thing that lives above him. Trockle's wise mother tells him that a little boy lives above him and there is nothing to be afraid of. The little boy looks different and does strange things and Trockle is afraid the boy might eat him. Trockle's mother tells him that the boy in the bed is afraid of HIM! Trockle thinks that is very funny.
At the end of the story, Stephen and Trockle sleep soundly knowing there is nothing to be afraid of. They have more things in common than they first thought.
My Thoughts
This story deals with children's fear of the dark and the unknown. This is a common problem that all parents of young children have to deal with at one time or another.
Ms. Jahangiri presents an interesting possibility in this story...what if there really is a monster under the bed and he is afraid of the little boy?
This story is an excellent resource to discuss "point-of-view" with children and to compare Stephen's experiences on top of the bed with Trockle's home under the bed.
There is another important lesson in this story. Children learn that there is much diversity in the world and they do not need to fear something that looks different or unusual.
Jordan Vinyard has done an excellent job illustrating this story in colored pencils and/or chalk. The pictures add a great deal of value to the story.
This book will delight pre-schoolers through early elementary grade children. Highly recommend for home and school libraries.
My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5
FYI ~ The author sent me a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review.
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