I wish this book was much better than it actually is.
It really hurts me when I have to rate low a children's book with illustrations and all.

But this book is just not the one for me.

If it was a random collection of words, thoughts or ideas, I would have liked it much better.

The book is divided into chapters like a short book but I feel it lacked any connection in between the chapters. The writing felt robotic and repetitive for no particular reason.

I am disappointed with the way each chapter ended. I didn't like the illustrations either.

I hope the next book gets better. I see potential. It just needs better editing and representation.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was ok. I do like that each chapter built on the previous one to tell a story. Some of the chapters were a bit confusing however. I do like the repetition of words. I think it is a good beginning level book for early readers. I don't like the illustrations. The illustrations look old and remind me of books that looked like they were old when I was a child. It looks like one of those books that sits on the shelf and you try to get people to check it out, but they flip through it and put it back.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Lullaby Monsters is a unique and interesting story of Kelsey and Thomas and their quest to be brave. I like how the order of events is presented in this book. I would just change the image placement and its size. I know this book is intended for a level 1 or level 2 reader (in the US) so I understand why the repetition of words and phrases are important. There were just times where the content didn't flow. I read this my son, and he did enjoy it though. Overall, 3.5/5 (rounded up).

A sweet book that centers on two siblings, an older sister who often helps her little brother. Thomas is afraid of monsters but is forced to face his fears. This book would be excellent for early readers as it uses simple language in short chapters and is fully illustrated.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.

The Lullaby Monsters is great for first readers and has lovely illustrations. It does seem older fashion than many of the books in this category that we've been reading lately and the story is lacking. The writing is repetitive, but it's written for new readers so maybe that is to be expected.

The lullaby monsters by Cynthia Mackey.
Kelsey read Thomas a bedtime story. With monsters.
A brilliant short read. Great story. Pictures were colourful. 5*.

"Is this book really, really bad?" you asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Is it built out of the dumbest and briefest questions?" you asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Does it have far too many instances of the word 'said' in it?" you asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Does it build up a nice way of getting a story of a boy's day with some older female whose relationship to him we're never told - "
"Yes," I said.
" - mirrored by some monsters when they turn up?"
"Yes," I said.
"And does it ruin that by completely failing to establish scene, so one minute you're chasing after a music box for the kid and then having a picnic, and then have jumped to home without even trying to tell us?" you asked.
"Yes," I said.
"And does it feature mention of a plan to get the music box back, then completely ignore what that plan might be and if the box is returned or not?"
"Yes," I said.
"And does it declare 'the sky turned black' hours after the illustrations proved it was a pitch dark night outside?" you asked.
"Yes," I said.
"So are you recommending this to anyone, then?" you asked.
"Ye – oh, bugger," I said. "No I'm not."
And the sky turned black.

The Lullaby Monsters was a very sweet and short story! The illustrations were so cute and engaging. The pink dragon was our favorite! Would definitely recommend to an early reader.