Marlow and the Monster Book Review

Award-winning Author Helps Take the Fear Out of Monsters Lurking in Your Child’s Bedroom

 – Monsters hide under beds, in closets and lurk outside closed doors. No matter where these creatures take up residence, most children go through a phase when they worry about monsters, ghosts and other creepy-crawlies being in their room at night. So how can parents help them cope?

Sharon Cramer is a mom of three who has dealt with her fair share of monsters while raising her three sons. She tackles the subject in her latest children’s book Marlow and the Monster (Talking Bird Books, July 1, 2012, $14.95), a book every parent will want to keep on hand for those spooky nights.

In Marlow and the Monster, Marlow has a monster, whether he likes it or not. And guess what? He doesn't! What will Marlow do about this very pesky monster that keeps getting him into trouble? At his wits end, Marlow decides that the only prudent thing to do is to pawn the monster off on his little sister, Sarah, who eventually helps him see his monster in a very different light.

In Marlow and the Monster, Cramer takes the intimidation factor away from monsters and helps children and their parents form a more lighthearted view of these creatures.

“We don’t want to underestimate the reality our children’s beliefs and fears,” says Cramer, “but we do want to help them understand the role their imagination plays in controlling the things they are afraid of. For instance, maybe their monster is silly and goofy instead of mean and scary.”

The book is, in Cramer’s words, “My first trip onto the wild side!” Illustrated with quill pen and ink, the only splash of color is reserved for the monster to depict that only the children can see him. Each illustration takes her between 30-40 hours to create. 

TALKING POINTS:

• Monsters – Do they necessarily have to be scary?
• Fun ideas on how children can imagine their monster moments as friendly moments.
• Talk about your fears - Everyone is afraid sometimes, even Mom and Dad. Share how you cope with your fears.

SHARON CRAMER is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and avid competitive equestrian. She is also the author of Cougar Cub Tales, an award winning children’s picture book series that follows the adventures of a brother and sister cougar cub, and is working on a new young adult series called The Cerulean Star. She lives in Spokane, Wash.

 To learn more, please visit: www.talkingbirdbooks.com. You can also follow her on Twitter.


This book is beautifully done in my opinion I have been reading it to my Two 1/2 year old and she loves it. The book couldn't have arrived at a better time just recently we have been having problems with her waking up in the middle of the night and saying she's scared so this has been our solution. I read it to her before she goes to bed and if she does happen to wake up this is what she asks for a long with a cup of warm milk. Marlow and the Monster is a story all can relate to no matter what the age.


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review these are my honest opinions.