Good Night, Little Monsters (Kara LaReau)

Hello, friends! Our book today is Good Night, Little Monsters, written by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Brian Won, a sweet bedtime story with a slightly spooky twist.

Readers are introduced to young monsters going through their bedtime routines – ones that they will recognize as similar to their own, while also being distinctly monsterly. A young “Frankenbaby” has his bolts loosened before he is tucked in, “Loch Nessie” snuggles between her larger parents, an upside-down vampire girl finishes her drink before brushing her fangs. Then, after the monsters have finished their nighttime rituals, the gang gathers in a tent under a moonlit night to enjoy a restful sleep while cuddling with all their pals.

Delightful! Filled with entertaining yet soothing rhyme, and featuring a cast of characters that veers well on the side of lovable rather than truly scary, this is a bedtime book perfect for “little monsters” of the human variety. The text has an excellent rhythm and flow, and JJ was easily able to recognize the similarities in her bedtime routine to the monsters’, which she loved. Won’s illustrations are adorable, using a colorful nocturnal palette to create the cute young monsters and their parents (the zombie family, shown as human in framed photos behind the baby zombie, may raise a few questions for adult readers, but kids aren’t likely to notice). The padded board book is a good length for right before bed, and we liked it a lot. Monstrously fun, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

Hooray For Today! (Brian Won)


Hello, friends! Today, we read Hooray For Today! by Brian Won, an adorably funny story about a fun-loving and well-meaning owl who just can’t seem to find a playmate.

Owl wakes up at the crack of dusk in a great mood! He’s gathered all this toys and books and playthings, and he can’t wait to go play with his friends! “Hooray for today!” he greets them with, inviting them to play with him. But everyone he asks is too tired to play at night. Feeling discouraged, Owl heads for home, but when he arrives, a surprise is in store!

What a cute book! It’s mostly just a fun story, but it’s a great way to introduce kids to nocturnal vs. diurnal animals. Owl’s positivity is infectious, and his care towards his friends is charmingly sweet. Loved the boldly colored yet simple illustrations and the large typeset, especially the big, bright letters (JJ is learning letters, so it was great for pointing out specific ones). The length is perfect, and JJ and I had a ball reading it. A fun, positive book about friendship and play, and we loved it. Baby Bookworm approved!