Light Fright

Light Fright Written by Judy De Young

Illustrated by Nathalie Kranich

Story © 2023 by Judy De Young.

Illustrations © 2023 by Nathalie Kranich U. S. Copyright Office registration number: TXu 2-392-160 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except as permitted by U. S. copyright law.

Light Fright/First Edition 2023 ISBN: 979-8-9893487-2-5 (EBook) ISBN: 979-8-9893487-0-1 (Paperback) www.judydeyoung.com www.nathaliekranich.com

ISBN: 979-8-9893487-1-8 (Hardcover)

For my main monster muses, Julia and Abel, and my ever-supportive kindred spirit, Rick.

“Marley Monster, brush your fangs!”

Mummy Mommy urges.

Every morning, it’s the same, as the sun emerges.

I put on my pajamas and cuddle up with Ted.

Then we read “Good Morning, Sun” not once, but twice instead.

n, in! i a Ag ga a

“Time to dream, my sleepyhead.

The sun is rising high.”

“But Mummy, there are kids here.

They make me want to cry.”

“I sense them in the attic…

…and down, below the stairs.”

“There’s no such thing as children,” my Dreadful Dad declares.

“Underneath my bed, they hide.

Check inside the Closet!”

“There’s no such thing as children,” my Ghostly Grandma posits.

“They lurk behind my curtains.

My willies won’t abate.”

“There’s no such thing as children,” My Gruesome Grandpa states.

“They rummage through my toy box.” My face is hot as flames.

“Your mind is very vivid,” My Spooky Sister claims.

“I don’t mean to scare you, Sis, but have another look.

One of them is staring straight…

…into our picture book!”

“Silly Monster, check again.

Plainly, you need glasses.

It’s a monster just like you.

It’s as green as grass is!”

“You’re right,” I sigh. “that’s not one.

I need to shake my fear.

There’s no such thing as children.

You’ve all made that quite clear.”

Still, I fret I will not sleep.

Oh, it is quite the plight.

‘Til my Beastly Brother bawls, “You’re just afraid of light!”

Next, my Ugly Uncle springs, but cannot reach the switch.

ck i l C

Hence, a mangled finger helps.

It is my Auntie Witch!

But wait!

There is another source of light that I can see.

The curtains must be drawn now. Who does it? Why, it’s ME!

So now I sleep in darkness. I’m sure that you do too!

That’s because there’s no such thing As children who scream….

! o Bo

My home is full of loved ones.

I say it with a grin.

And though we are peculiar,

I LOVE MY CREEPY KIN!

The E n

d

Judy De Young

Light Fright As the sun rises, it's time for little monsters to sleep, but Marley believes children are lurking everywhere!

Join Marley and his creepy kin as they explore his bedtime fears.

Will anyone in Marley’s family figure out what will make Marley finally go to sleep?

Light Fright

LightFright

Written by Judy De Young Illustrated by Nathalie Kranich