Always Run Up the Stairs

Martha Lamon is a freelance writer and researcher based in Huntsville,
Ontario.

This first book by Sean Moore is about a young boy who is frightened by
the noises in his basement. He suspects there are monsters lurking
about, and runs up the stairs to escape them. He tries to find ways to
deal with his fears—maybe he can befriend them. If he offers them
cookies, surely they’ll eat the cookies instead of him. Playing card
games or hide-and-seek might work even better. But alas, bedtime comes
before he has a chance to find out what’s down in the basement. As he
lies in bed, he wonders if the thing under his bed might know.

Children who share the little boy’s fear of the dark will undoubtedly
laugh at some of the funny things he does to overcome his fear. The
silly-looking monsters will delight them, too. Moore’s expressive
monochromatic illustrations energetically convey the boy’s fantasies
and fears about monsters. The simple, repetitive sentences and bold text
make this an easy-to-read book for beginner readers. Recommended.