The Monster in the Mattress and Other Stories / El monstruo en el colchón y otros cuentos

Seven-year-old Rudi looks up to his big brother Tony, who isn’t afraid to sleep in the dark. Tony humors Rudi, allowing him a night light next to his bed in the room they share—especially after reading scary stories at bedtime! But when his bed starts shaking in the night, even brave Tony is sure a spooky creature has inhabited it. With their parents’ help, the boys discover the real monster in the mattress is furry and has long ears! “It’s a mystery to me,” is a common refrain heard in the six stories included in this bilingual collection for young readers as children and their families are faced with odd mysteries in their daily lives. Abuela can’t understand why there are odd indentations in her flour container. But it all becomes clear when her grandchildren’s frog races feature very white frogs that are easily seen in the green grass! Ten-year-old Mario—or Mario the Magnificent—delights in doing magic shows for his family. But one trick goes inexplicably awry when Pinky the hamster really disappears during the finale! Children take the lead in these amusing and entertaining stories as they try to solve mystifying puzzles that occur in day-to-day activities. The conundrums frequently involving pets and loving family members are sure to grab the interest of early readers, whether reading the stories on their own or in the warmth of their parents’ laps.