Feed Me Books- A Not Scary Story About Big Scary Things by C.K. Williams

By C.K. Williams

Illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska

Harcourt Children's Books, 2010

$16.99, ages 4-8, 32 pages

A boy stares down his biggest fear in the forest by refusing to believe it's real, in this clever, remarkable book.

Synopsis:

A boy walks through a forest full of snakes and wolves and bears, but this boy isn't afraid because he knows they'll stay out of his way. The scary monster in this forest won't stay out of his way, though. He pops out at the boy and growls! But the brave boy just keeps walking along because he doesn't believe in monsters. This sets the monster to begging and begging for the boy to believe in him, even just a smidge. Will the boy ever agree?This unusual monster story, with thrills and fangs and growls, shows that a little confidence and a lot of courage can shrink fears to a size that might even be a little cuddly.

What I Can Tell You:

As I was reading it to Goddess I changed my voice to do the parts as I would do with all kids books.  By page 5 I was unsure if this book would be too scary for her. (and people said that this monster liked nothing better in the world than to scare little children) it was after all our bedtime story.  I almost closed the book.  Even the graphics on this page were a little odd for a children's book. How would it end?  I trudged along figuring I would lighten up my voice and add humor when the brave boy spoke. It worked. We were both riveted. I wanted to know how it would end as much as she did. 

The ending when we finally find out what the monster is.....makes up for the nervousness I felt at the beginning. 

This is a really smart book. Very well done. Well written and unlike anything else I have read. 

This is in fact the first book Goddess has decided to review for our local library. She is 5 so the review is just one sentence but it sums it all up. 

To see what else CK Williams has written, head over to his site.