Fun with a Monster by Ann Fleming

A Funny, Clever Picture Book About Fear, Imagination, and Making Friends with the Monster in Your Room

If you have ever checked under the bed, opened the closet, inspected a suspicious pile of laundry, and still had a child whisper, “But what if there is a monster?” this book will feel very familiar.

Fun with a Monster by Ann Fleming takes that classic bedtime fear and gives it a clever little twist. Instead of trying to prove that the monster is not there, the story asks a much better question. What if the scary thing in your imagination could become something fun?

The story follows a young boy who has had a perfectly happy day until bedtime arrives. Because apparently darkness has excellent timing and loves to show up just when everyone is tired. His room suddenly feels full of possible goblins, ghouls, and suspicious shadows with too much confidence.

But instead of staying stuck in fear, the boy begins to take charge of his imagination. The monster in his mind slowly becomes less of a threat and more of a playful companion. And honestly, I love that. The book does not try the classic bedtime line, “There is nothing to be scared of.” Cute. Useless. We have all been there.

Instead, it shows children that imagination can be redirected. The monster does not have to stay scary. It can become funny, silly, friendly, and maybe even a little ridiculous.

The playful verse makes the story easy to read aloud, with enough rhythm to keep children listening. It is fun first, helpful second. Which is exactly how these books usually work best.

Why this book works

• A bedtime fear many children know very well
• A fresh take on “monsters in the dark” stories
• Playful rhyme that makes it fun to read aloud
• A good fit for talks about bravery, worry, and nighttime anxiety
• Funny enough for children, meaningful enough for parents

Try this at home or in class

After reading, try Monster Makeover.

Ask children to imagine a monster that seems scary at first. Then help them change three things about it.

1. Give it a silly name.
2. Add one ridiculous feature, like tiny roller skates, spaghetti hair, or squeaky shoes.
3. Decide what the monster actually wants. Maybe it is lonely. Maybe it wants a snack. Maybe it is just very bad at knocking.

Then children can draw their new monster or act it out.

This simple activity helps children practise turning fear into creativity. It also gives them a little distance from the scary thought. Because it is much harder to be terrified of something named Wobble Picklefeet who only wants crackers.

Fun with a Monster is a lovely pick for bedtime, classroom read-alouds, or any child currently negotiating with the shadows in their bedroom.

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