Hey, That’s My Monster!

Ethan, previously seen in 2009’s I Need My Monster, relies on Gabe, the monster under his bed, to keep him in bed where he belongs. After Gabe plans to migrate across the hall to scare Ethan’s younger sister, Emma, into staying in bed, Ethan helps Emma summon alternative monsters so that he can keep Gabe. Emma is cut from the same cloth as Boo from Monsters Inc.—she’s tickled, not terrified, by the visiting monsters—and McWilliam’s cinematic artwork embraces the comedy of the situation as Emma puts bracelets on the snakelike tail of one monster and jumps rope with the tentacles of another. It’s an entertaining reminder that a little fear can be fun. Ages 5–7. (Sept.)

This review has been corrected. In a previous version, it was incorrectly stated that Gabe, not Ethan, "helps Emma summon alternative monsters."