Kelly Murphy

When a rain storm strongly pelts the barn, the animals inside are scared, and wondering when they will be fed. Outside, in the strong storm, is a mother fox and her babies. Seeking refuge, they try to enter the barn, only to be told "Go Away! We are full today!" Soaked and discouraged, the family has no where to go.

It is a lone little duck who travels out of the barn to dry the tears and calm the fears. That act of courage entices the other animals to come out in the sunshine after the show more terrible storm, and to listen to the small critter who encourages them to learn and show and that together they grow.

Highlighting the different colors and sizes, again, all are welcome including three babies and the mother fox. "There is room, there is room, there is room for all!"

These beautifully illustrated book ends with others longing for shelter, including a possum with four babies clinging to her back. The barn door is open and all have a space.

This book can be interpreted as a strong message for inclusion, and perhaps the need to accept people of different countries who live in poverty without food or housing. The barn is a symbol for opening space for all to live. show less

Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Kelly Murphy.

Yolen's simple text, "Monsters slither, monsters wave/All in a hurry to get to their cave" is glowingly illustrated with Murphy's oil, acrylic and gel paintings.

I was underwhelmed by Yolen's text. The whole poem reads:
"Monsters creep, monsters crawl
Over the meadow and up the wall.
Monsters run, monsters stumble,
Monsters hip-hop, monsters tumble,
Monsters slither, monsters wave
All in a hurry to get to their cave...
Where show more monsters grab a bite to eat,
Then into the tub to wash their feet,
Then monster prayers and into bed,
But they toss and turn and bounce instead.
Growl Gurgle
Burp Grrrr
Snarl Snarf
I'm not sleepy.
zzzzz"

The change in rhythm and the disintegration into sounds at the end - it just didn't work for me. However, I'm always reading with an eye for storytime and while this one won't shine in that area, I can see it working well as a one-on-one bedtime story with the slow building of repetition and drifting off to sleep.

Murphy's pop-eyed monsters add just enough "ick" factor while still giving a cozy feel to the tale. Picture book authors seem to have an irresistable compulsion to write bedtime stories, often featuring monsters, and so few get the balance between sweet and scary just right, but Murphy and Yolen have done a good job here.

Verdict: This isn't going to replace Rosoff's Jumpy Jack and Googily or Noll's I Need My Monster in my affections, but it's a solid addition that patrons will be happy to check out again and again. Recommended.

ISBN: 978-0763642013; Published July 2011 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher through Raab Associates show less

"Monsters creep, Monsters crawl, / Over the meadow, And up the wall," begins this monstrous bedtime book from the prolific Jane Yolen, with artwork by Kelly Murphy. The simple sing-song narrative, which follows two particular monsters as they make their way home one evening, gives way to onomatopoeic play at the end, as the two little creatures toss and turn in bed, until finally... well, the inevitable happens.

Chosen as one of our October selections in the Picture-Book Club to which I show more belong, where our theme this month is "witches and monsters," Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters is more on the sweet, than the scary side. The illustrations, done in oil, acrylic and gel(?), are lots of fun, with a cute, cartoon-like style that won me over. The narrative makes for good reading aloud, until the final section, which felt rather tacked on to me. Still, I can see some young kids getting a kick out of this one, as long as they aren't put off by the "monsters" bit. show less

Jane Yolen is a master storyteller. Along with the illustrator in less than 20 words, they can have a book from beginning to end. It’s a perfect book for bedtime for that last push right before sleep.