by Meg Rosoff
First published 2008
Jumpy Jack trembles at every shadow. This anxious snail sees danger around every corner and behind every leaf. Monsters could be anywhere, he worries. Fortunately, Googily stands ready to help. This devoted friend searches high places and low places, checking carefully for any scary creatures that might be hiding. Together they explore their world, with Googily patiently investigating each spot that makes Jumpy Jack nervous. But monsters take all kinds of forms. Some have blue skin, hairy eyebrows, and sharp pointed teeth. As Jumpy Jack discovers, the things we fear most might not be what they seem. This gentle tale explores how friendship helps us face our worries about the unknown.
Genres: fiction, fantasy, contemporary
Vibes: gentle, heartwarming, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, unlikely-friends
32 pages · Hardcover · Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)