The Problem with NOT Being Scared of Monsters

Plenty of Halloween stories deal with fear, but debut author Richards suggests that bravery has its own pitfalls. His young hero isn’t afraid of monsters, and, as a result, they won’t leave him alone. “It’s hard to climb out of bed in the morning,” writes Richards, as the boy crawls out from under a heap of creatures that include a purple hairball, a blue octopuslike monster, and what looks like a giant yellow sponge with horns. The boy’s monster “friends” are also happy to sample his cereal, munch on his homework, and wear his favorite pajamas. The book’s ending fizzles a bit, with the boy simply foisting his troubles onto his younger brother, but Neubecker’s pen-and-ink cartoons draw a good amount of fun out of the relationship between the put-upon narrator and the wide-eyed, well-meaning beasties. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management. Illustrator’s agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. (Aug.)