Hush, Little Monster

Hush, Little Monster, don’t you howl.

Daddy’s gonna give you a screeching owl.

Little Monster has upset his chess board of skulls and is lying on the floor sobbing. Daddy Monster, looking worried, begins to croon a tune beloved by little humans and monsters alike. But nothing can console the Little Monster, not a bite from a vampire, not Auntie Witch on her broom, not even a pillow fight with the Wolfman, until the zombie kids come over to play.

This sweet take on a classic ends with Little Monster resting his furry green head (while creepy crawlies appear from underneath his pillow) just as the sun pops up over the horizon.

Hush, Little Monster was produced by husband-wife team Denis Markell and Melissa Twai, and grew out of their years of experience singing “Hush, Little Baby” to their own little monster. The illustrations fit the mood perfectly, light-hearted and heart-warming while delightfully creepy. The mood of the book is not at all frightening. Parents and kids can laugh along at Daddy Monster’s various attempts to persuade his little one into bed and to sleep.

Hush, Little Monster fits well into Halloween, but I’m sure parents will enjoy reading it to their kids year-round.

Elizabeth wishes someone would force her to go to bed. Truly youth is wasted on the young. Read more of her thoughts at her blog Planet Nomad.