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From Booklist

Starred review from July 2, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* Cleverly bringing life to ASL signs, Kane and McMillan's story of bedtime fear and a boy's imagination will strike a chord with readers, who are sure to want to try out the signs themselves before the story is even done! Milo is enjoying reading his favorite books when he thinks that, just maybe, a monster is lurking under his bed. His neighbor and friend Mel, though, is right next door, and using flashlights to illuminate their hands as they stand at their bedroom windows, the boy and girl communicate in ASL about what to do. Mel is sure they can rout the scary being by signing particular words that in turn create shadow-puppet monsters. In the end, it is simultaneously creating shadows of the words roar and chomp and the laughter of a hearty mwuh-ha-ha that does the trick. The teamwork and friendship shown here are winners, but the real appeal of this book lies in the way the story normalizes d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing communication. Illustrator Dion MBD cleverly uses a shifting array of colors to move the story: the warm gold of the flashlights and the soft blue of the evening outside are comforting and contrast with the orange-red glowing light around the monster's jaws. This surefire bedtime favorite is great for all collections.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From School Library Journal

June 28, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-Right before bedtime, a young boy named Milo makes the mistake of reading a scary story about a monster under the bed. Too frightened to sleep, Milo signals to his friend Mel, who lives next door, for help. Communicating through their windows and using American Sign Language (ASL), Mel suggests using the titular "monster hands," to banish Milo's monster. By stacking their hands and curling their fingers, the duo use their hands to create fearsome shadows that "Roar!," "Chomp!," and "Laugh!," at the monster. The pair emerge victorious and share a hug. Not only are readers treated to a relatable bedtime excursion, but they will also learn the signs for several terms, which are presented organically and naturally throughout the story. The illustrations are equally captivating, in a nighttime palette of blue and purple that depicts the monsters as somewhat eerie, but never anything terrifying. VERDICT A success on every level and a welcome addition to all collections.-Olivia Gorecke

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Publisher's Weekly

Starred review from May 6, 2024
Among the titles Milo reads one night, one is "about a monster under the bed. Milo should not have read that book." Frightened, he uses a flashlight to signal Mel, his best friend who lives across the street. Through their facing windows, the two use ASL to communicate about Milo's fears. Mel suggests that Milo use "monster hands"â€"vertically stacked palms facing each other, fingers curledâ€"to create shadows that will "ROAR," "CHOMP," and "LAUGH" the monster away. Kane and debut author McMillan build suspense with each of the duo's attempts to banish the monster, creating a lively collaboration that gives way to a tender gesture between the friends. MBD employs vibrant gradient hues to create looming shadows and dynamically highlight ASL signs, some portrayed in full. Milo has pale skin and brown hair; Mel is portrayed with brown skin and brown hair. Ages 3â€"7.

From Horn Book

May 1, 2024
After reading several bedtime stories, Milo makes the mistake of reading a book about a monster under the bed. Oh, no! In his fearful dilemma, he turns to his friend Mel, who is looking out her window from across the street. Mel has many ideas about how to scare a monster away, and with American Sign Language (ASL) and his flashlight, Milo manages to sign-shout and shadow-play that monster into oblivion. At heart, this is a straightforward story of friendly help and brave problem-solving. Appropriately, given that it is expressed partly in ASL, what makes it energetic and dramatic are its visual qualities. Blues and purples create a shadowy, twilight atmosphere, out of which the imaginary monster gleams like a chortling jack-o'-lantern. The warm yellow light of Milo's flashlight gives full play to the shadows his hands cast as he signs, "Roar! Chomp! Mwuh-ha-ha!" -- a bold, visual shout that banishes the monster. Clever use of panels and framing make the children's signing particularly viewer-friendly, and illustrator MBD depicts clearly and expressively ASL's dynamism: these hands and shadows are making words, not just scary shadow pictures. Unlike so many stories that make an issue of the use of ASL, this one naturally and easily shows it as the language these children use -- allowing the drama of the story to take center stage. Deirdre F. Baker

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Kirkus

March 15, 2024
Two friends use American Sign Language to ward off a monster. After reading a frightening story, Milo worries that there's a monster under his bed. Luckily, Milo's best friend Mel's bedroom window faces his, and both children use ASL to communicate. Mel helps Milo use "monster hands"--fingers spread and bent into claws--to cast shadows on the wall that will scare away anything lurking beneath the bed. With Mel's help, Milo learns to be a little bit braver, but not at the expense of his gentle nature. Many of the signs that the characters use in the dialogue are captured in the illustrations; readers who don't already sign will come away knowing the ASL signs for roar, chomp, laugh, and hug, each of which is clearly depicted. Children will eagerly sign or shout along with the most exciting moments. MBD uses color, light, and perspective to create cute yet dramatic illustrations. The shadowy monsters that Milo imagines are a bit creepy but never too terrifying. This is an excellent read for any child fretting about things that go bump in the night, as well as an effortless celebration of ASL. Milo has straight brown hair and light skin, while Mel has straight black hair and brown skin. A thrilling tale of bravery, friendship, and the power of signing. (Picture book. 3-7)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.