Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kind boy reads to monsters in gently spooky nighttime tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When a little boy's mom tucks him into bed, she suggests they read a book they haven't read before. "Tell me what you'd like to hear... and I WILL READ TO YOU." "Something spooky," he requests. "I like the ones with monsters best." Then he hears noises outside -- a howl, a roar, a growl -- and figures the monsters out there are still up but should be in bed. "Who tucks in the beasts? Who cares for them?" he asks. "They need love and comfort too!" He grabs his book and takes his mother's hand and leads her outside through the woods and calls out, "Worry not, my creatures dear... I am here for you." He invites each group, one by one, to gather around with invitations like: "Come all Vampires, from the crypt,/ through the mist and shadows slip,/curl up cozy in your cloaks... and I will read to you." He calls ghosts, goblins, skeletons, witches, dragons, and more. Once assembled, they listen attentively and slowly drift off to sleep. "Pages turn. They sigh and snore,/a thousand creatures, maybe more."
Is It Any Good?
This sweet book celebrates reading and empathy. I Will Read to You is beautifully illustrated in a nighttime palette of dark blues and black mixed with moonlight, flashlight, and firelight. It's filled with typical Halloween characters -- witches, vampires, ghosts, skeletons, etc. -- but it's not scary. The holiday is never mentioned, but the book is perfect for the haunting season and a great choice for a bedtime read any night of the year.
And don't miss the endpapers. The ones in the front show a super close-up of a big-eyed furry monster, and the back ones show the same furry face with the eyes closed, after being blissfully read to sleep.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the boy's empathy in I Will Read to You. Why does he decide to read a book to vampires, witches, ghosts, skeletons, dragons, etc.? Why isn't he afraid of them?
Draw a monster you'd like to share a book with. What book would you pick?
Which picture in I Will Read to You is your favorite? Why?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Charles Santoso
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : August 1, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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