Bedtime Boo-time: Hush, Little Monster by Denis Markell

HUSH, LITTLE MONSTER, DON'T YOU HOWL.

DADDY'S GONNA GIVE YOU A. . . SCREECHING OWL.

IF THAT OWL WON'T SAY "WHOO WHOO"...

GRANNY GHOST WILL BRING YOU A BIG, BAD BOO!

Just like kids, little monsters sometimes have a hard time, er, giving up the ghost and drifting off to dreamland. But Daddy Monster knows just what to do--break out that old cumulative story-song with all the things that a li'l monster might want.

Using that old English lullaby just waiting for a parody, Denis Markell's brand-new Hush, Little Monster (Little Simon, 2012) shows off his considerable skill in rhyme and scansion as he works in all the usual suspects of the scary season to soothe his wakeful little monster into somnolence. Playing an, um, bit part, Dracula is sure to "stop by for a bite," and an ogre will drop in to growl right on pitch. Wolfman has a hairy cameo appearance, and that's not all: there are. . . ZOMBIES!

AND IF THAT ZOMBIE RUNS AWAY,
WE'LL ALL GO TO THE GRAVEYARD TO PLAY.

Pair this lovely little monster takeoff lullaby with Ed Vere's just-out Bedtime for Monsters (Henry Holt, 2012) for a double-barreled monster twosome of a nighty-night that'll send your furry--headed little monster off to sleepytime with a smile.