Under-the-Bed Fred

Illustrated by Colin Jack
$7.99 US
Tundra | Tundra Books
On sale Sep 19, 2017 | 9781770495555
Age 6-8 years
Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell L
Sales rights: World
From the team who brought you If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur comes a laugh-out-loud early chapter book about befriending the monster under the bed.

There's a monster under Leo's bed making a ruckus every night. When Leo needs to go to the bathroom, he leaps from the bed to the door -- careful not to put his feet on the floor within the monster's reach. But one night Leo gets tired of being scared and boldly calls out to the monster to see if they can't just work something out. Surprisingly, the monster listens, and Leo finds out that even enormous monsters have fears! Leo and his monster, Fred, team up to face their fears, each with his own unique strengths. Over the course of five easy-to-read chapters, their friendship blooms as they face everything from bullies to bedbugs. A funny and endearing tale of two very different and unlikely friends, in the tradition of Bink and Gollie and Frog and Toad.
  • SHORTLIST | 2018
    Chocolate Lily Award
An Amazon "Best of the Month" Pick (September 2017)
One of CCBC’S Best Books for Kids & Teens (2018)


"A boy tackles his under-the-bed nighttime monster and his insecurities with curiosity, kindness, and a bit of wisdom. . . . In the first of a new series, this [book] incorporates themes of friendship, bullying, and school angst, offers satisfying conclusions, and gives readers good reason to empathize with Leo and his alter ego, Fred. A welcome new pair of friends for the chapter-book set." --Kirkus Reviews

"[A]ward-winning children’s author Linda Bailey and Vancouver-born illustrator Colin Jack have whipped up five engaging, funny, and non-intimidating short chapters." --Quill & Quire

"4/4… a satisfying story… Under-the-Bed Fred is a sure winner… Highly recommended." --CM Magazine

About

From the team who brought you If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur comes a laugh-out-loud early chapter book about befriending the monster under the bed.

There's a monster under Leo's bed making a ruckus every night. When Leo needs to go to the bathroom, he leaps from the bed to the door -- careful not to put his feet on the floor within the monster's reach. But one night Leo gets tired of being scared and boldly calls out to the monster to see if they can't just work something out. Surprisingly, the monster listens, and Leo finds out that even enormous monsters have fears! Leo and his monster, Fred, team up to face their fears, each with his own unique strengths. Over the course of five easy-to-read chapters, their friendship blooms as they face everything from bullies to bedbugs. A funny and endearing tale of two very different and unlikely friends, in the tradition of Bink and Gollie and Frog and Toad.

Awards

  • SHORTLIST | 2018
    Chocolate Lily Award

Praise

An Amazon "Best of the Month" Pick (September 2017)
One of CCBC’S Best Books for Kids & Teens (2018)


"A boy tackles his under-the-bed nighttime monster and his insecurities with curiosity, kindness, and a bit of wisdom. . . . In the first of a new series, this [book] incorporates themes of friendship, bullying, and school angst, offers satisfying conclusions, and gives readers good reason to empathize with Leo and his alter ego, Fred. A welcome new pair of friends for the chapter-book set." --Kirkus Reviews

"[A]ward-winning children’s author Linda Bailey and Vancouver-born illustrator Colin Jack have whipped up five engaging, funny, and non-intimidating short chapters." --Quill & Quire

"4/4… a satisfying story… Under-the-Bed Fred is a sure winner… Highly recommended." --CM Magazine