Street Monsters

Monsters that huff, claw, growl, and gnaw prowl a street at night... or do they? Joosse blends the anxiety, imagination, and mystery that can accompany a child’s experience of bedtime fears in this reassuring exploration of the nocturnal rhythms a city keeps. Tucked into bed on a wintry night, a child hears frightening noises outside. Once the child grabs “Papa,/ goggles,/ shield,/ and sword,” the pale-skinned duo look out the window. The eerie noises emanating from what first appear to be fantastically fearsome creatures actually come from “helping monsters” that keep the city safely humming. A tigerlike beast turns out to be a snowplow, and others are revealed to be a garbage truck and a city bus. Barry’s primarily b&w images toggle between eerie and realistic renderings, all illuminated by streetlamps, headlights, and moonglow. It’s a look at things that go bump in the night that may help some readers to rest easier. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 6–7. (Aug.)