Most fears are rooted in fear of the unknown, so lets make monsters fun in kids fiction

The Monster Under The Bed - 10th Birthday on 31st January 2015

Monsters in children's fiction - what is it that makes people shy away from buying a book about a monster? 

Children like a hint of something scary, read to them in a safe environment, as long as all is well in the end.   ...so go on, buy a copy... I dare you to!

Books about monsters can even help children who are scared of the dark - there are lists of books for just this purpose - and The Monster Under The bed is right up there on the search lists.

Most fears are rooted in fear of the unknown, so making monsters fun goes a long way towards allaying those fears.

  

The Monster Under The Bed 10th anniversary... because kids love a scary story, read in a safe environment... as long as all is well in the end

The Monster Under The Bed - 10th Birthday on 31st January 2015

It's a title that grabs everyone's attention - it seems we all have a story to tell of the monster that lurks under our beds...

But it's also a title that makes people shy away  in case it frightens their children - hey, come on, it's a children's picture book - it was written to entertain, not give nightmares.

Children like a hint of something scary, read to them in a safe environment, as long as all is well in the end. The Monster Under The Bed has a surprise ending to make you smile... so go on, buy a copy... I dare you to!

  The Monster Under The Bed came out almost 10 years ago, and there's still a few first editions in my online bookshop.

It took it's place in Borders after my in store book signing:

 

It lead me to do a library opening and feature in Writers' News: 

 

The Monster Under The Bed was my first published book, and is now in second edition under my own imprint: Lost in a Book

Priceless: being told that a copy of The Monster Under The Bed has been read until it's shabby - it's been a loved book, just like a favourite teddy.  

Monsters in kids' book...

My very first book bares the title The Monster Under The Bed, and is rarely passed by at book signings without some comment...

Everyone it seems has some sort of monster under their bed, be it noisy plumbing or just a shadow that becomes something more with the addition of a little imagination...  but my point is that it brings a smile of recognition to most adult faces, even if they ultimately don't buy the book, for fear of setting up a fear of monsters in their children, or fueling one that is already there..

But surely the fact that they smile as they remember their particular monster, shows that children actually enjoy the idea of monsters, as long as they feel safe throughout. A story about a monster can be quite exciting, and of course we're talking about children's stories here, so we know it's all going to OK in the end. So let's not deny the next generation their fare share of exciting books, with monsters to overcome...

And on that note, my next book has a definite monster theme too... no apologies - kids love it!

Monsters in kids books

Everyone loves a monster book right...?
The thrill of possible danger, while knowing deep down that the monster is trapped in the book, and all we have to do is slam the book shut and they're trapped there... till next time.

So why do so many parents shy away from a monster book, just from the mere mention of a monster in the title?

Picture books tackle all sorts of issues in a caring way, and no one is setting out to produce a book to give children nightmares, children enjoy the excitement of monsters in a story, and for many it can help them to overcome their fears.

In The Monster Under The Bed, now in it's 2nd edition there's a new twist on the traditional monster theme...

"Mum……Mum…..There's a monster under my bed."

Billy sits up in the dark, he can hear something moving around in his bedroom. When his mum puts the light on there's no monster to be seen. But when Mum goes back downstairs the noises start again...

Signed 1st edition

I have a few signed 1st editions of The Monster Under The Bed available while stocks last.

These were my very first books, which I published through Trafford Publishing, and fewer than 450 copies were printed before I brought The Monster Under The Bed out in 2nd edition under my own imprint: Lost in a Book.

So why not pop along to my Etsy shop and grab one while stocks last

Halloween Special

Nestled inside a virtual bookshop (but actually in my stock cupboard) is a book, or rather a box of books, created in my imagination, with a little bit of real life inspiration. The story was captured and printed onto paper for me to share with little monsters everywhere.

Still at special Halloween price of £4.99

http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/165905439/the-monster-under-the-bed?ref=shop_home_active

The Monster Under the Bed Halloween special offer...

“Mum……Mum…..There’s a monster under my bed.”
Billy sits up in the dark, he can hear something moving around in his bedroom. When his mum puts the light on there’s no monster to be seen. But when Mum goes back downstairs the noises start again.
“Get back into bed Billy,” calls Mum.
Something is making a noise, and if it isn’t Billy – who can it be? Find out in this full colour picture book that’ll keep you guessing till the last page.

Now on special offer until Halloween - for the little monsters in your life...

Lost in a Book Bookshop