I Want to Be in a Scary Story by Sean Taylor

Little Monster says he wants to be in a scary story even though the narrator tries to encourage him into a funny story instead.  When the narrator begins to tell the story, Little Monster realizes that he is really frightened.  Rather than Little Monster being scared by various characters in the story, Little Monster wants to be the one that is doing the scaring.  Then again, maybe Little Monster wants to be in a funny story after all.  "I Want to Be in a Scary Story" is full of little surprises along the way.

This story made me laugh aloud and will surely bring giggles to a class of elementary students.  The text is quite simple, and the two different colors of print distinguish between Little Monster's voice and the narrator's voice.  The thought bubbles provide fun, rhyming phrases that readers might recall stating if they happen to find themselves in a silly, scary situation.  The illustrator impeccably communicates Little Monster's emotions with subtle changes in facial expressions.  As the setting changes, the images interact with the text to keep the reader engaged.  The images are intricately detailed, even providing spooky, although silly, images such as a hand holding a light sconce on the wall, eyes that stare at all of the activity going on, and eyes without a face peeking from holes in the walls.

Readers will fall in love with Little Monster's fun personality and snaggle-toothed mouth.  What a neat, versatile story to use to teach point of view, rhyming words, story structure, story elements, sequencing, and so much more!