Things that Go Bump in the Day

by Melinda Beatty, Charlene Chua (illustrator)

The sun is out and it’s time for vampire Vlad to go to bed, but it’s easier said than done with all the creepy, creaky daytime noises that keep him (and his mother) from getting a good day’s rest.

Vampire Vlad is all tucked in, ready for bed. But his imagination runs wild when he hears all the daytime noises happening outside. A clickety-clack, a skreek and a clang? Who knows what that could be!

With each new sound, Vlad races to his patient and reassuring, but tired mama’s room until he learns how to calm himself down and finally get a good day’s rest. Melinda Beatty’s clever text and award-winning illustrator Charlene Chua’s imaginative illustrations make the perfect bedtime read (during the day or night) for anyone a little nervous to go to bed.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Monsters, Fiction, Vampires, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darling picture book about a little vampire who can't sleep because of the scary things he's hearing outside, and the clever explanations his mama vampire comes up with to explain away those awful noises! The pictures are an absolute treat!

[Kristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quinn's 28th book.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things That Go Bump in the Day is very conceptual. There's a kid vampire who sleeps during the day and is scared of normal daytime noises like the mailman putting the mail in the mailbox or a fire engine off to a firefight. He runs to his mother to discuss what he's heard. And she comforts him by telling him the noises he's heard are just various monsters about their normal activities. And of course, the mother's explanations aren't scary at all. I can see kids being confused about this. I guess it depends on the age range that you're reading to. My three-year-old would be drawn to this book because he loves all the Halloween-themed books, but I can also bet you that he wouldn't understand the concept. My older two kids might get it, but I'd probably have to explain it to them. I did like the illustration style. And the cover is eye-catching. Things That Go Bump in the Day gets 3 Stars. Have you read Things That Go Bump in the Day? What did you think? Let me know!

[Thomas Scholtes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute story with fun and interesting characters, enhanced and beautifully crafted with vibrant and alive illustrations.

I didn't know a children's book could be such a page turner! Taking a well-known common phrase ('Things that go bump in the night') and flipping it to the perspective of one of those fear-invoking creepy-crawlies makes a fear of the dark a bit more light-hearted. Then seeing how our 'fearsome' vampire thinks about scary humans and scary daylight helps make us realize how silly a true fear of the dark really is. Then how mama vamp creates these new funky day-monsters to help shoo away the evil daytime noise-makers keeps you wondering what other creations may show up on the next page.

A very well-done book that should even have the adults looking forward to reading this each evening (or morning!).

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

3.5 stars

A sweet little story about an adorable vampire child trying to get some sleep and his ever-reassuring mother explaining away the sounds in the day.

A cute bedtime story full of humor. Nicely written. I really enjoyed the spin on what noises would be scary to a vampire versus a typical human child.

The pictures are phenomenal. Spectacular details. I adore all of the side characters and the delightfully spooky outside world.

Great for little monster-lovers as a bedtime tale to read all year long.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up.

I think this book was very cute, and it was a wonderful idea. I absolutely love the illustrations. But the execution wasn't always great. I think the scary things the mother was trying to calm down her child with were more silly than scary. Overall, I think the book could have used less silliness.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, simple story that shows the other side of us who get scared of things in the dark. Vlad the vampire is scared of "everyday" noises during the day/his bedtime and relies on his mom to provide an acceptable explanation to help him calm down and go back to sleep. A great book to read as we get closer to Halloween and are in the Halloween season!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a reverse of things that go bump in the night. This time you have a creature of the night trying to go to bed who hears things, and his mom has to explain what they are. This is a nice change of pace. This book is handled beautifully by the illustrations that are both at once creepy, but heartfelt that kids will love. It’s like Halloween every day and I am here for it.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A vampire child is terrified of all the things that go "bump in the day" while he's trying to sleep. I was a little confused over the illustrations of what was really happening versus what the mom was telling her son was happening. Cute vampire/Halloween story.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flawed. Little vampire hears noises and imagines typical day things, but mother vampire explains the noises as AOK creepy things. In the end the Little is re-assured but the real life things are spinning through mom's head. Huh? So which world did the sounds come from, then?

[Cathy Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little vampire is hearing sounds when he is supposed to be sleeping. The illustrations show what is happening outside, then his Mommy comes to explain what he is hearing. Very darling since Mom soothes him with spooky explanations. Quite darling. Enjoy.

[Morgan the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5? I love the illustrations and I think the concept is cute. It might take some clarification for some kids to understand, and I think some of it might go over the kids' heads entirely. But it's a cute concept for sure!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, though wordy story, about the things a vampire hears when trying to sleep and how his mother explains the sounds. I shared it with Kindergartners, but I would say First graders would be better suited for sitting for this one.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute. charming. the reversal of day/night; of what is scary and soothing is well-conceived and -executed.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a little confusing, and I didn't find it especially funny or effective, but I'm sure that many monster-loving kids will enjoy this regardless.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So stinking cute.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun twist on being afraid of the dark

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm so sad that so many holiday books are so aggressively average. This is a very cute premise and the cutesy illustrations are nice -- but this is not something to really write home about.

[Heidi Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly Halloween themed bedtime story full of onomatopoeia. The illustrations are adorable!

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, got a good belly laugh at the title. The artwork is very cute. However, the story itself was meh. So.. 2 Stars?

[James Devore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it’s cute and funny!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is nearly morning, and the little vampire is ready for bed. As momma leaves the room the little vampire hears strange noises and is afraid. Momma helps him by explaining the noises.

[Cheryl Gladfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun twist on hearing strange noises at night and being scared. Vlad pictures the noises as being scary things like a postal worker delivering the mail!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

buy!

[Tim Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! Wonderfully illustrated.