While getting ready for bed, a young child hatches a plan to finally catch the monsters hiding in his room at night. He rigs a trap and keeps his eyes open, while five pairs of eyes creep closer and closer. The bag above his bed falls, and he’s caught them!
But instead of icky monsters, he finds a set of fairies, each one with their own talent. With five new friends to watch over him, now he can fall asleep knowing that he’s safe.
This sweet bedtime tale with beautiful imagery is based on a poem given to the illustrator’s friend, Kelley, by her grandmother when she was a little girl. Now, Kelley sings the poem as a lullaby to her own children.
Perfect for the child who’s afraid of the dark, this book will give reassurance that gentle creatures will always watch over them and keep the scary things away.
This story is based on a poem by Kelley ‘Duckee’ Magee. It’s the story of a little boy who is being watched while he sleeps. He can see figures moving but he’s not sure what they are. He thinks they must be monsters and he vows to catch them one night. He sets up a trap and waits and sure enough he catches something. What he caught isn’t what he was expecting at all. They aren’t monsters but fairies and they are there to help him, to watch over him while he sleeps.
This is a cute little story for believers in fairies.
The writing is lyrical as it was originally a poem, and it rhymes:
“At night they surround me when I sleep.
So I plan to catch them where they creep.
I’m always falling asleep too fast,
But tonight I’ll stay awake at last.”
The illustrations are sweet, with lots of purples and dark blues and bright eyes for the fairies. The shadows of unknown creatures on the wall are shown very well and it reminded me of when I was a child and saw scary shapes in the shadows.
My only reservation with the book is the depictions of what the boy thinks the “monster” might look like. I’m afraid that this talk of monsters would frighten a child. If your child hasn’t experience the “monsters under the bed” phase, then don’t read this book or it might plant the idea in his or her head. If your child is already in that phase, then this would be a good book to alleviate those fears.
W. Lyon Martin’s new illustrated children’s book Watchers is a charming bedtime story for anyone who believes in a little magic and wants to share some fairy dust with their children.
The story, based upon her friend Kelley’s childhood nighttime prayer, is a wonderful affirmation of protection and love by residents of the magical world. It addresses the issue of children’s bedtime anxiety in a positive and comforting way, with a reassuring message at the end.
Lyon’s trademark watercolor illustrations have been bathed in moonlight for this book. These charming paintings are full of soothing and deep colors, and are the perfect complement to this delightful bedtime story sure to become a favorite part of any child’s bedtime ritual of being tucked in with a lovely book.
Mickie Mueller — Illustrator The Well Worn Path and The Hidden Path tarot decks
With its bright energetic illustrations and charming story, Watchers takes us back to the days when all things were still possible and nighttime was a magical time.
Amy Brown — Fantasy & Faery Artist
Watchers is an enchanting children’s story, for children of all ages. When I read this awesome tale I remembered being a child and wondering if “they” were in my room too.
I can’t wait to add this special book to my personal library. It sparked my imagination and gave me a warm feeling of wonder.
Linda Biggs — Rainbow Fairy Artist
“Watchers presents a cute story told in engaging rhyme. Children will enjoy it; this is a good book for early readers or for parents to read aloud as a bedtime story.”
Elizabeth Barrette — Book Reviews from Hypatia’s Hoard
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