Booklist Review

Mila is a young Black child who lives some days with her mother and the other days with her father. When she arrives at Mommy's house, Kitty (the cat) walks in circles around the girl to welcome her. Mommy and Mila fix dinner together. Later, Mila prepares for bed and settles in for the night. But wait! Daddy always checks for monsters at bedtime. Worried, she calls for Mommy, who inspects every hiding place, saying, "No monsters there! No tall ones and no small ones, no big ones and no thin ones, no naughty ones and no sweet ones." Pointing out that Kitty chases all monsters away, she lets the cat sleep in Mila's room that night, just in case. First published in Belgium and the Netherlands, this picture book is the fourth in a series about Mila. Simple in both words and pictures, it takes a straightforward and reassuring yet imaginative approach to a common childhood fear. The richly colorful illustrations use contrast and patterns effectively. A pleasing read-aloud choice for young children.