Wild GooseAgency

Hamilton Cesar Mendonça

Childrens' Picture Books · Book 2

The Boogeyman and the Missing Dreams

The traditional 'closet monster' becomes a protective mental-wellness mentor
Genre
Picture Book
Rights available
World English / Translation / Film & TV
Audience
Ages 4-7
Word count
505 / 32 pages
Themes
Isolation

Synopsis


Benny is a very unusual Boogeyman. While ordinary monsters consume children's happy dreams entirely, Benny only ever takes a tiny, harmless bite because he loves children. To him, happy dreams taste like jellybeans and ice cream.

But one night, Benny peeks into the bedroom of a lonely, timid boy named Max and finds a pitch-black dream cloud completely empty of joy. Max is struggling to make friends at school and feels entirely isolated.

Author's Note

The Boogeyman and the Missing Dreams
Like many children, I grew up hearing stories about the Boogeyman and how he was someone to fear. I wanted to turn that idea on its head by transforming him into a gentle guardian who protects children's dreams rather than stealing them. My hope is that children finish the story feeling safe, comforted, and excited to dream.