There's a Nightmare in My Closet
By Mercer Mayer
The Story
A boy decides it's time to face the nightmare that lives in his closet each night, armed only with a toy gun and his own nerve.
Why It's Special
For the kid who needs the closet door checked every single night, this book turns that exact fear into something they can laugh at.
- Big idea: The things that scare us most in the dark often shrink once we finally look them in the eye.
- Vibes: Droll, tender, a little spooky-but-safe, bedtime-quiet.
Perfect For Kids Who
- struggle with nighttime fears about closets or the dark
- enjoy dryly funny, understated humor
- are working on feeling brave in small, manageable ways
- like to imagine what's hiding just out of sight
Ask Your Little Reader
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the boy felt when he first heard the nightmare in his closet?
- Story & problem-solving: What did the boy decide to do about the nightmare instead of just being scared?
- Real-life connection: Is there a spot in your room that feels a little spooky at night?
- Imagination: If a nightmare lived in your closet, what do you think it would look like?
- Feelings & empathy: Why do you think the nightmare turned out to be not so scary after all?
