The Tickle Monster Is Coming! by James Otis Thach, Scott Thach, David Barneda (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Beware the frightful tickle monster! This silly, atmospheric bedtime story is one part wriggly anticipation, two parts fun as a little monster gets ready for bed—all the while dreading the arrival of the infamous Tickle Monster, who’s known for his relentless attack on toes, bellies, and every other ticklish place a young child—oops—a monster might have. Just right for bedtime giggles, this is a tuck-me-in story with a delightful twist.

Children's Literature

Children love to hate the topic of this book—tickling and monsters. In this story, a little monster who is getting ready for bed is on the lookout for the Tickle Monster who is already waking up in his cave on Giggle Mountain. Despite warnings that the monster will arrive, the child prepares for bed knowing that the monster can "hear your pj's unfold" and "see through your ceiling." David Barneda's illustrations are oddly comforting in their charming way, and they work with the rhyming words to create a sense of dreadful anticipation for the arrival of the Tickle Monster. Charming, not-so-scary bats fly as the monster awakens to begin his trek to the little one's bedroom. Knowing what is coming won't stop a child from wanting to hear this story over and over again, even though tickling will be involved in the end. So "Climb into bed, pull the sheets overhead, and do not let your feet touch the floor!" Reviewer: Naomi Williamson

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2

At bedtime, a young monster anxiously awaits the arrival of the Tickle Monster, a nocturnal creature that is never directly depicted in the artwork but nevertheless seems omnipresent: "His nose knows the scent of your toothpaste./His ears hear your pj's unfold./He senses your dread as you climb into bed-/he can see through your ceiling, I'm told." Peeking hesitantly from beneath his covers, the youngster notices ominous dark shadows on the wall. The rhyming verse builds anticipation of the impending attack. The Tickle Monster will show no mercy: "You'll squirm! You'll dance!/(You may wet your pants)." When the defenseless imp has had enough, the intruder will offer a hug, "wiggle under the rug,/and sink through a crack in the floor." The acrylic illustrations' somber brown and dark-green palette creates a spooky atmosphere. Although there are "giggles and grins" at the end, readers may be left with more of a sense of trepidation than of tongue-in-cheek playfulness.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Kirkus Reviews

Readers/listeners get fair warning inside and on the back cover of this giggle-inducing rhyming bedtime story to be ever-vigilant for the dreaded Tickle Monster who sees and knows all. Beware: It can sneak up on unprotected, unsuspecting victims at any time, and there's no use shouting. The monster's appearance, occurring even after the unwary have drunk a relaxing glass of warm milk, might just lead to dire consequences. (Okay, the milk could come out of your nose; don't ask about pants wetting.) Barneda's acrylic-and-colored-pencil illustrations are rollicking and nonthreatening. While the rhythms are sometimes clunky, the text moves along swiftly, and there's just enough tame scariness here to thrill very little ones as they lie in wait for tickle monsters to pounce on them in their own bedrooms. (Picture book. 2-5)

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