5 Bedtime Picture Books Featuring Nonthreatening Monsters

There’s A Nightmare in My Closet, by Mercer Mayer
Perfect for little ones who are already scared of monsters hiding in their room, this book by Mercer Mayer features a little boy who thinks a nightmare lives in his closet. One night, he takes matters into his own hands and shoots his nightmare with his toy pop-gun. But when the nightmare starts to cry, the little boy tucks it into his bed with him. It’s hard to be scared of a nightmare monster when it turns out to have feelings!

The Monster at the End of this Book  and Another Monster at the End of this Book, by Jon Stone and Michael Smollin
These books are hilarious, entertaining, and plain old fun! Kids will laugh as Grover goes to all kinds of lengths to keep them from turning the next page because a MONSTER is at the end of the book. When the monster turns out to be Grover himself, kids will love the book even more. Pick up Another Monster at the End of this Book for fun with both Grover and Elmo!

I Need My Monster, by Amanda Noll and Howard McWilliam
When Ethan’s monster, Gabe, goes fishing, Ethan decides to interview new monsters to fill that ever-important role of “monster under the bed.” After all, Ethan can’t get to sleep without his monster! But, unfortunately, none of the substitutes are quite like his favorite spooky monster, Gabe. Kids will love this unique twist on the monster-under-the-bed idea. Keep the fun going with author Noll’s follow-up book, Hey, That’s My Monster!

Tickle Monster, by Josie Bissett and Kevan J. Atteberry
Everybody loves the tickle monster, and this book brings this iconic idea to life. With tickling on most every page, Tickle Monster, who happens to come from Planet Tickle, makes kids laugh over and over. An exciting read before bedtime, and kids might not be too sleepy after this one!

Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
Max is declared king of the monstrous wild things, and the wild rumpus begins! A must-have bedtime book, kids’ imaginations will soar as they watch Max’s room become a jungle, and he sails far away to where the wild things live. This is a classic that belongs on everyone’s shelf.