Jitterbug Jam: A Monster Tale    by Barbara Jean Hicks & Alexis Deacon Order:  USA  Can Red Fox, 2006 (2005) Softcover     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Nobody believes the poor little monster and his brother Buster calls him a fraidy-cat, but you believe him, don't you? There's a boy who hides under his bed 'on purpose' to scare him. Bobo tells us that 'Even Godzilla, who everyone knows / is the bravest monster ever, / would be scared of a boy / with pink skin / and orange fur on his head / where his horns by right should be'. Then, while eating 'homemade bread with jitterbug jam', Bobo tells grampa Boo-Dad about the scary boy. So grampa shares an olden days story of his own terrifying experience - when he crept 'under the big old iron gate' and encountered a girl in a garden - and advises the small monster what to do. When Bobo takes grampa's advice, he finds out why that orange-furred boy keeps hiding under his bed, and he has a wonderful idea. This cross between a picture book and graphic novel is perfect for children almost ready for the transition to chapter books. Jitterbug Jam offers a delicious role reversal, encourages empathy, and introduces the notion that other kids, no matter how frightening (even monstrous) they seem, might be just as shy - and ready for friendship - as you are. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews