“The door is there,” Koby whispered to Halley. “And that plug is the key. How does the door close?”
One after the other, the monsters disappeared from view. Last in line was Alba and Jenna’s small gray monster. It stopped by the plug, grabbed it, and flung it into the forest.
The heavy sound of the closing door followed immediately. A clang, then another clang. The door to the monster world was closed. The key had been thrown into the forest.
Halley felt tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt lost with the monsters gone. Like something essential had disappeared.
“Well, now. They are on their way home,” Dad said. “Wherever that may be.”
Halley nodded. Dad was right, of course. She dried her eyes on her sleeve. A little smile slowly crept onto her face, almost as if by stealth. She wriggled out of Dad’s hug and turned to the other children.
“Hey, just think,” she exclaimed, laughing. “We did it. We really did it!”
MiddleGradeMania.com
About the Author
Photograph by Karoliina Ek
TUUTIKKI TOLONEN is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, many of which she has written in collaboration with the writer Eppu Nuotio. Tuutikki also teaches creative writing. Monster Nanny is her first middle grade novel.
About the Illustrator
PASI PITKANEN fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming an illustrator in 2011. Since then, he has illustrated sixteen books, including Monster Nanny. He lives in Helsinki, Finland.
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Monster Nanny Page 18