Bedtime Monster/¡A dormir, pequeño monstruo!

PreS-Gr 2—It's time for bed but Paul is not tired. Despite already being in his cozy pajamas, he wants to stay up and play with his toys. Again, Mom tells him to go to bed, but he grumbles and groans and grows a green, spiky tail. His parents try to calm the newly sprouted monster, despite his flailing, clawed hands and feet. The sleepy little creature is no match for the soft lullabies and is soon tucked into bed. Only after he is fast asleep does Dad make a monstrous confession. Cartoon characters outlined in black ink and filled in with soft, pastel watercolors on textured paper bring this monster to life. Some pages use comic-book-style panel sequencing. Small details, like crayons strewn on the floor and hand-drawn artwork adorning the walls, are interesting and familiar. The story is sweet but does not necessarily lend itself to the bilingual English/Spanish format, although the Spanish translation is satisfactory. A solid addition where Spanish-language books are in demand.—Shannon Dye, Sno-Isle Libraries, Monroe, WA