It's too bad this isn't released until November, because it's a perfect Halloween storytime book - not too scary, but just scary enough. However, there are plenty of fans of the series who enjoy a good monster story any time of the year and you can always preorder!

When a small Ethan finds a note under his bed, reading "Monsters! Meet here for the final test." he thinks his parents are just trying to scare him into staying in bed. He didn't expect real monsters to show up - or that he's the test! A set of furry monsters show up, accompanied by their spindly yellow teacher, and each takes a shot at scaring Ethan. As the tests continue, only Gabe passes each one, but Ethan eludes him and sneaks down to the kitchen for a snack. It's too bad he doesn't know what happens when you feed a monster...

This is a sweet story of the beginning of a friendship, complete with drool and threats to nibble toes! It's clear from Ethan's grin that he knows it's all a game, but he's enjoying the shivers that monstrous Gabe produces. It will probably remind a lot of readers of Monsters Inc. but it's still its own creation, fitting into the series by adding the origin story of the two friends.

Verdict: This series, and the latest addition, are the perfect choices for kids who like something just a little scary but not too scary. Fun for Halloween or any time of the year.

ISBN: 9781947277090; Published November 2019 by Flashlight Press; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Cute story of how the monster is picked for the child. The illustrations are beautiful. The story is fun. I chuckled throughout the book. ( )

Monster fans are going to enjoy every page and maybe learn a little more about monsters along the way.

Ethan is looking for a toy and runs across a strange letter. Soon, five pairs of eyes are staring back at him from underneath his bed. These are monsters—furry, cute, long-tailed, and sweet. But these monsters are there for a reason. They need to learn the rules when it comes to kids and bedtimes. One of the monsters is sure to be perfect for Ethan, but it will take a bit of testing to find out which one it will be.

This reminded me a bit of Monsters Inc. but with a sweeter vibe. Ethan finds having monsters under his bed and in his room a little surprising, but he takes it all in stride and enjoys the fun. The monster rules seem sensible, but lead to funny situations and make it clear that finding the perfect monster-kid match isn't always easy. The monsters each bring their own personality and charm, and when Ethan and his monster are finally paired, it's simply heart-warming. Even if it might mean a little bit of a scare along the way.

The illustrations are super fun to gaze through. Each monster is portrayed uniquely and holds enough emotions to make them easy to like/love. There are little details to bring the pictures to life as they follow the tale and help the humor and friendship grow more vivid with each page. It's simply a cute story young listeners are sure to enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy and found this book so lovey that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts. ( )