Grobblechops

Grobblechops is a picture book for children aged 4 to 9, based on a tale by Rumi, about a little boy called Amir who is afraid to go to bed in case a monster comes in the night.

Amir will not get into bed. What if the monster has huge teeth and growls like a lion? His dad has an answer for every worry. Amir can show his teeth and growl even louder, like a tiger. If that does not work, Dad will come running with his frying pan. And what if the monster has a dad with a bigger frying pan? Then Mum will come with her big umbrella. But grown-ups, even grown-up monsters, like arguing more than fighting, says Dad, so while they talk, Amir and the little monster can go off and play with Amir's toy cars.

Little by little, the monster Amir feared becomes a playmate. He climbs into bed holding Teddy, and as he drifts off to sleep he tells his dad the monster's name: Grobblechops, who likes his pickup truck best.

Billed on its cover as a classic story of a monster under the bed, it shows children that fears in the dark can be talked about, and that a frightening stranger may just want a friend. Its gentle humour and patient dad make it a good book for bedtime. It is written by Elizabeth Laird, illustrated by Jenny Lucander and published by Tiny Owl. It takes about four minutes to read and is music-free.

Amir did not want to go to bed. "No!" he shouted. "I won't!"

"Why not?" asked his dad. "Your bed's all cosy and warm. And look, Teddy's waiting for you on the pillow."

"But I'm scared of the dark," said Amir. There might be a monster, he whispered. It might come in the night, and it might have huge teeth and growl like a lion.

"Well," said Dad, "if he does come, show him your teeth and growl even louder, like a tiger. You can be really scary when you try. You'll terrify him."

But what if the monster was not scared? What if he did not run away, but just stood there, and then jumped on Amir and ate him up? If he tried any of that nonsense, said Dad, Amir could call for him, and he would come running in with his frying pan and shake it at the monster. That would do the trick.

Amir had another worry. What if his monster had a dad too? What if the little monster shouted for him, and the monster's dad came, and his frying pan was bigger than Dad's?

In that case, said Dad, they would call for Amir's mum. She would come with her big umbrella and flap it in the big monster's face, and he would be so scared that he would go down on his knees and beg for mercy.

But suppose the monster's dad was not scared at all, said Amir. Suppose he fought Mum, while the monster's mum tried to eat Dad?

Dad did not think that would happen. Grown-ups, even grown-up monsters, like arguing more than fighting, he said. Fighting is too tiring, especially in the evenings. So while the grown-ups were busy arguing, Amir and the little monster could go off and play.

Amir thought about this. He did not know how to play with a monster, he said, or what sort of things a monster liked doing.

"You know what?" said Dad. "I think he'd like it if you showed him your toy cars. Poor little monster, I bet he hasn't got any of his own." And when the grown-ups saw how nicely the two of them were playing, they would stop arguing and sit down for a cup of coffee to talk things over.

Amir picked up Teddy and held him tight as he climbed into bed. "I wouldn't let my monster touch Teddy," he said bravely.

"Of course not," said Dad. "But he won't want to. He'll be too busy having fun with your toy cars."

Dad kissed Amir goodnight and went out of the room, leaving the door open so that a little light could come in. Then he put his head back round the door. "Oh, I forgot," he said. "Has your monster got a name?"

"Yes," said Amir sleepily. "He's called Grobblechops, and he likes my pickup truck best."