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Writer's pictureAlexandra Antipa

[Book Review] Night Terrors, [Author] Kristen Tomaru




An incredible book written and illustrated by the talented Kristen Tomaru. I think the poems included in this collection are perfect for older children, who are horror fans. The illustrations complete the written part, adding to the delight of the reading experience.


My thoughts:


Let me start by telling you that I love books that stand out. Recommended for readers between the ages of 8 and 18, Night Terrors is one of the most interesting books I have ever come across. I loved the suggestions on what to expect, offered by the author: “be prepared to sleep with the lights on after reading Night Terrors”; “a frightening look into the dark”; “guaranteed to make your hair stand on end every time you read it”; “this book is not for the faint of heart or weak of bladder”. My favorite: “rated N for nightmares”!


What a cool idea for a book! If your children love reading scary, spine-chilling stories, they will love this book as well. Written in rhyme, with terrifying black and white illustrations done by the author herself, this is the kind of book readers will remember for a long time to come. Inside, you will discover a collection of short stories. These are written as rhyming poems, featuring diverse creatures of the night. I think these would be perfect for those who adore Tim Burton, Shel Silverstein, or Gris Grimly.


Older children will certainly take delight in the endless imagination of the author. She is so creative, each of the nighttime crawlers included in the book is spot-on, delivering the perfect mix of scariness and excitement. This seems like the kind of book you would read hidden in a fort of blankets and pillows, with a group of friends, flashlights on and everything. It might also be the perfect book to read around a camp fire, using a hushed voice to give everyone the chills.


Verdict:


I think this was a truly original idea for a book and it is easy to see how much thought the author put in each story. Each poem offers the perfect balance between dark and humor, leaving you wanting for more. My favorite bit was: “These creatures haunt your every dream/They want to hear you fight and scream”. Brilliant job! Will it give readers nightmares? I think not, but it will definitely give them something to talk about with their friends.


Grab your copy of the book from here!




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