Jumpy Jack & Googily by Meg Rosoff and Sophie Blackall.

Picture books can be so derivative that it gets dull to open them and read one more.  But the reason I keep on reading is that between all of the dull ones, there are gems.  This book is original and genuinely funny.

Jumpy Jack, the snail is very afraid of monsters.  Everywhere they go Googily has to check to make sure that monsters aren’t there.  Googily assures Jumpy Jack that it is silly to be so afraid and is amazed at his friends imagination.  It gets especially ridiculous when Jumpy Jack imagines a monster in his room who "might be wearing short trousers and a bowler hat." 

Children really get the humor here right from the first page.  Giggling is guaranteed.  Rosoff, who excels at writing humor for children, has outdone herself here.  The humor gets broader and broader as the pages go by, but her writing tone remains the same gentle, sensible one which of course just makes the whole thing even more amusing.  Blackall’s illustrations convey a simple, even barren landscape, and a world of normalcy with unusual touches.  Just perfect for the story.

Highly recommended to share with all children.  This book is appropriate for ages 4-7.