A unique monster-under-the-bed story with the perfect balance of
giggles and shivers, this picture book relies on the power of humor over
fear, appeals to a child's love for creatures both alarming and absurd,
and glorifies the scope of a child's imagination.
One night, when Ethan checks under his bed for his monster, Gabe, he
finds a note from him instead: "Gone fishing. Back in a week." Ethan
knows that without Gabe's familiar nightly scares he doesn't stand a
chance of getting to sleep, so Ethan interviews potential substitutes to
see if they've got the right equipment for the job--pointy teeth, sharp
claws, and a long tail--but none of them proves scary enough for Ethan.
When Gabe returns sooner than expected from his fishing trip, Ethan is
thrilled. It turns out that Gabe didn't enjoy fishing because the fish
scared too easily. Gabe's ooze is perfect, and Ethan is soon sleeping
soundly.
Scholastic Book Club Selection Wall Street Journal Best Seller List, for
two weeks in October 2016 Winner of 6 state awards: Alabama Camellia
Award (2010-2011), Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award (2011), California
Young Readers Medal (2011-12), Georgia Picture Storybook Award
(2011-12), Nevada Young Reader Award (2011-12), Virginia Reader's Choice
Primary Award (2012-13) Included on 5 other state award lists:
Mississippi Magnolia Children's Choice Award list (2012-13), Nebraska
Golden Sower Award list (2011-12), South Dakota Prairie Bud Award list
(2011-12), Washington Children's Choice Book Award list (2010-2011),
Wyoming Buckaroo Award list (2011-12) Additionally, included on these
regional awards lists: Connecticut Charter Oak Children's Book Award
list (2011-12), Iowa Regional Goldfinch Award Winner (2009-10)
Storytelling World Award Honor Book 2010
