There Are Monsters in My Room: (Interactive Shine a Light; A Hidden Shadows Book; Fear of the Dark) by Fanny Pageaud is, to be honest, okay for me when it comes to the story. It was not really “new” but was also not “same old” either, but still, it was not completely grabbing me. However, the clever illustrations are the complete package. These images caught my eye not because of what you do see, but what you do not see. They are fun and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything exactly like them. You are to use a flashlight to shine through the page and then the shadow will arrive. The image is actually between the pages!
This unique form is probably the first time I have seen something like this. Or at least it is rare. You can “look between” the pages as there is an opening but it is not meant to be seen that way. I was not aware of the need for a flashlight, so I was really confused at why the pages were attached the way they were. Was this why the book was in the free books? Was it damaged by not being cut correctly? Nope, that is the way it should be read. I did not use the flashlight as I was not aware I was supposed to until I did a little more research, but I think it might be an even more fun experience.
Now, I think it might work for one child and one adult, but I do not see it working for a group. And I do see it in many ways more for adults who like art books than your average child, but kids can be really quirky and this is a quirky book. Everyone might find something they like in it, but not everyone is necessarily the audience for it, still I think all of us should give it a try.
