Molly and the Night Monster

Surely set to become a favourite bedtime story, Wormell’s latest picture book is full of measured scariness. The illustrations throughout are monochromatic, in soft shades of blue. When Molly awakes to the sound of a step on the stair, her imagination runs wild. Is it a crocodile creeping to catch her? A huge hippo (what a friendly grin!)... or a giant giraffe? From safe inside her room, behind the closed door on the right hand page, we continue to watch the child as she wonders whether it’s an enormous elephant turning the door knob, or even a night monster come to gobble her up! The resolution is skilfully controlled, for the beastie is Mummy, come for a bedtime cuddle and a kiss. The interaction between Molly and her imaginary creatures and, finally, her mother, is beautifully portrayed in masterly illustrations, and Wormell’s animals, as ever, are magnificent.