Who’s There? by Carole Lexa Schaefer, illustrated by Pierr Morgan

A very active bunny bounces into bed when the moon comes up.  But just as he is curled up and ready to sleep, he hears a strange noise!  What could be making the creak, creak, CRINCH?  When he sits up and listens, nothing is there and everything is quiet.  But then it comes from even closer.  Perhaps it’s a Crusty Dumply Ogre?!  The noise comes closer still.  Maybe it’s a Grimy Gooey Ghoulie!  The noise is even closer.  And now the door is starting to open!  The little bunny gets his flashlight out and shines it at the door.  And what does he see?  You’re just going to have to read the book to find out.

This book reminds me so much of Ruth Brown’s A Dark, Dark Tale which is one of my favorite autumn reads for kids.  This one reads aloud delightfully well too and gives the reader so much to work with from the dramatic pauses to the alarming noises.  The drama is well crafted, so the story builds up and up, each noise and reaction becoming more and more intense. 

Morgan’s illustrations are dark and dramatic, with only the bed and the door in stark colorful contrast to the darkness.  The descriptions and depictions of the imagined monsters adds to the fun, because they are so silly that children will feel a bit of relief from the drama.

Just the right amount of drama and tension for young listeners, this is a tale that will delight.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Viking.