When the sun sets, bedrooms are darkened, little children are in their pajamas, and night sounds become strange and even frightening. Children who should be fast asleep, hear the sounds, and their imaginations run away, wild just like the nighttime sounds.
Richard is one such child. He is ready for bed, with his favorite plush toy named Lionheart tucked under his arm. The night sounds are too frightening and Richard tries to run away from the fear of the night. He is so afraid that he doesn’t notice he dropped Lionheart on the ground. When he enters a magical jungle, animals surround him. “Some big, some small, some thin, some tall, some mean, some hairy, some fat, some scary.” Richard doesn’t stay though, the monster is still coming for him, so he kept running.
When Richard’s Lionheart magically comes to his rescue and leads him away from his fears and the monster and they travel to a place where Richard plays with the animals until he forgot he was ever scared. Richard learns how to be brave and by the time the morning sun lights upon his pillow, Richard isn’t afraid anymore.
Masterful, vivid illustrations with radiant color and intricate detail will take children into a fanciful world where wild animals become friends and fear is chased away with confidence. The illustrations are so phenominal, they alone can tell a story. Pre-readers will have the opportunity to tell the story in their own words using these illustrations. Young readers will be able to follow along with the prose and eventually read it by themselves.
The only criticism for the book is a single frightening image of the red eyed monster, which is looming over the scared animals while Richard’s back is turned. This is not a detrimental aspect though, and supports the message of taking courage and facing fears. The monster also appears to be the shape of silhouetted jagged mountain peaks, representing a sort of dragon.
Richard Collingridge’s bedtime story with magic and a beloved plush toy becoming real to a child, is reminiscent of the Velveteen Rabbit and is near equal in warmth and sentimentality.