Bedtime fears

There's an alligator under my bed

by Mercer Mayer

Mercer Mayer's "There's an alligator under my bed" addresses the childhood fear of "monsters under the bed" with humour and sensitivity. When the young boy in the story tells his parents about the alligator under his bed, they don't believe him because they don't see it. So the young boy takes matters into his own hands and devises a plan to trap the alligator. With much thought and planning he lures the alligator out from under his bed, down the stairs and into his dad's garage. He is very pleased with his ingenuity and delighted that his plan has worked. He does wonder, though, whether his father will have problems getting into his garage the next day. He writes him a note offering his assistance! This book focuses on the common fear of "monsters under the bed" in a brave, creative and practical manner and offers children a way in which to confront their fears.

Citation:

Mayer, Mercer. There's an alligator under my bed, New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1987.

Community Rating:

412 reader ratings with an average score of 4.00 out of 5 stars (courtesy of www.GoodReads.com)

Awards:

Florida Reading Association Children's Book Award 1990