I Dare You!

In a series of dares, children are invited to engage with monsters outfitted with touch-and-feel elements. The opening spread features a large spider with thick black fur: “Look at that hairy, scary spider! I dare you to touch it!” Maubert’s illustrations are more cute than scary, but the hyperbolic text does its part to create a shiver of danger; in the book’s best scene, a pop-up snout lets readers put their hands “into the jaws of this .” It’s engaging fun for Halloween or anytime some light chills are called for. Ages 3–5.