My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things

My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things by Judith Viorst (Author), Kay Chorao (Illustrator)

A kid is afraid of various types of monsters. His mom tells him that these beings don't exist. However, she also tells him other things that end up being incorrect. So, he doesn't know what to trust. The "false" things his mom tells him are minor things like that he is able to carry something that he later drops, the name of one of friends or the directions to his friend's house. (in other words minor items.) In the end, there is a giant monster, but ends up being his mom giving him a hug. The illustrations are all in black and white. The story is something that kids can easily relate to.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst (Author), Ray Cruz (Illustrator)

Nothing is going right for Alexander today. Many of the problems are at least partially of his own doing. (He gets gum in his hair because he chewed it late. The dentist finds a cavity, etc.) He wants to go away to australia, but realizes that bad things happen there too. It has fun sketches of the boy having a bad day, and is easily relatable as everyone seems to have a bad day at some time or another.