The Monster Under the Bed🌙

Night after night, there’s a rustling under the bed. One night, the child turns on a flashlight and looks down. Two big eyes look back. But the monster doesn’t scream. It blinks in the light, shuffles closer to the wall and looks almost more frightened than the child.

It turns out the monster has its own reasons for hiding, and they have something to do with the night. Together, the child and the monster explore the house after dark, discovering familiar things behind the shadows and explanations for the noises. How the night ends, and whether the monster moves out or stays, you’ll find out in the story.

This idea suits children who want the light left on, ask for the door to stay ajar or listen out for noises once the house is quiet. The tone is gentle and a little funny, and nobody is laughed at for being scared, neither the child nor the monster. It can also be a comforting read after a move, when a new bedroom still has unfamiliar sounds.

A three-year-old gets a soft, round monster that’s easy to love. An eight-year-old can play detective with the flashlight, work out what’s making the shadows and laugh at the monster being afraid of something as ordinary as the vacuum cleaner.

Describe your child’s real bedroom: the nightlight, the stars on the ceiling, the stuffed animal guarding the pillow. If your child has their own flashlight, it can play a starring role. A sibling who shares the room can help investigate, and the cat who really does rustle about at night might turn out to be part of the mystery.

After reading, you could give the monster a name and draw it. Take a flashlight around the room before bed and point out what’s really making the shadows. Talk about what helps your child feel safe at night. Find more stories about the dark and brave nights under Afraid of the dark.