A touch of shivery horror makes this bilingual picture book about love and mischief between a boy and his mother great for reading aloud. Roberto will not do his chores. Mama tells him to clean his room, but he dare not: What if the Closet Monster comes to get him? Mama tells him to wipe the kitchen table, but maybe the Under the Table Monster might grab him. Then Mama turns things around. She refuses to read him a story: The Work Monster might grab her. With English and Spanish translations on each left-hand page, the unframed pictures in bright red, purple, and green show both the sweet toy monsters Roberto plays with as well as the great big scary ones he imagines. In their debut picture book, the author and illustrator always make clear that it is the loving bond between parent and child that makes the smiling face-offs such fun. Sure to spark lots of hugs and laughter.

K-Gr 3 Mamá asks Roberto for help with housekeeping chores but he claims that monsters will take him away if he complies. The Closet Monster, the Under the Table Monster, and the Dust Monster are a few of the colorful and brightly illustrated creatures he conjures up. Mamá turns the tables on her son when she says, "If I read you a story the Work Monster might grab me and take me away forever!" Roberto giggles and promptly announces that the Work Monster won't get her because it's afraid of him. Cervantes's digital illustrations are done in bold vibrant colors and complement Rivas's amusing story line. The book closes with a full-page illustration showing Mamá and Roberto snuggling up in a comfy chair ready to enjoy a book with the playful monsters looking on. This story will work well both as a read-aloud and for sharing one-on-one. Both versions, in English and Spanish, are entertaining. Angélica Sauceda, Anaheim Public Library, CA