I just ordered this book! Just in time for spooky season. This is a sweet story about teaching kids to face their fears, while also being engaging with beautiful illustrations. Being a Black mom, it was also refreshing to read a story with a little girl with puffs like my daughters.

This will be one we keep on our shelf for sure! Thank you for allowing us to read!

This book was too scary for the preschoolers but the elementary kids loved it as a read aloud. Good graphics and mysteries for the elementary readers.

I got this on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

This as a pretty good picturebook about being brave and seeing stuff for what it really is! New Houses and the house sounds in it can be scary, and especially as a child, so I’m glad this focuses on that feeling!

A cute book about something in the basement. Not growing up somewhere that people had basements, I can totally understand how this child felt about all the monsterous sounds coming from the basement and being afraid to go down there. I liked how she finally figured out what all the noises were and finally saw what was in the basement.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Reading Something in the Basement brought back memories of my own childhood fears and the thrill of overcoming them. Cecilia's journey from unease to empowerment is beautifully captured in this suspenseful tale. As a parent, I appreciated the message of facing fears head-on and the importance of seeking the truth. The illustrations are captivating and perfectly complement the storyline, making it a joy to read aloud with my kids. This book is not only entertaining but also teaches valuable lessons about courage and resilience—a great addition to any child’s bookshelf!

Hey there, little adventurers! If you're looking for a book to send shivers down your spine while also teaching you a thing or two about bravery, Something in the Basement is the one for you! Picture this: Cecilia moves into a new house, and guess what? There's something spooky lurking in the basement! But hold onto your hats, kiddos, because this isn't just your typical ghost story—nope, it's a thrilling journey from fear to empowerment. Cecilia shows us that sometimes, the scariest things are just our imaginations running wild. So grab your flashlight and dive into the shadows with Cecilia as she uncovers the truth and conquers her fears. Trust me, you won't want to miss this spine-tingling adventure!

Thank you NetGalley, BookBuzz.net, and Malika Oakley for the early access copy of Something in the Basement.

Something in the Basement follows Cecilia, who has recently moved into a new home. She feels like something is watching her all the time with the strange noises her new home makes. When her fear makes her unable to sleep, she goes to confront it in her basement.

This story can be used as a teaching tool for children who worry about noises in the home (furnace, pipes, and basements.) It can show children they are not alone in their fears, but also that the noises are normal things in a home.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy! This is a great story for kids who are afraid and overcoming fears.

This is a book about a little girl, who is afraid of the basement in her new home. Her story is relatable and the illustrations with lovely colours allow an easier engagement with the story, It is good story to read to children, and deals with both fear and change. It also offers nice little touches on courage and independence,
The writing style and the plot is matter-of-fact rather than imaginative, and great for those who are looking for stories that approach the childhood fears of the dark and unknown in such a manner. It has an encouraging tone.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Something in the Basement by Malika Oakley in exchange for an honest review. This was a fun book and reminded me of being little and afraid of the monster under the bed. Beautiful pictures and story. Will share this with my niece and nephew.

I loved the use of color to show how there could be unknowns, and how bright it was at the end when Cecilia faces her fears. Little Cecilia has a big imagination, and she thinks there are scary things in her home. Luckily, she is also brave and clever, because she checks out the danger and accepts the evidence that she finds. This is a great story to teach kids how to feel safe. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

#SomethingintheBasement #NetGalley

Cute book! While this book was about a common theme, it gave it new life through detailed illustrations and fun dialogue.
I didn't expect Cecilia to have a conversation with the basement "monster", and I thought that was an interesting aspect to add to this book. It helped to spice up the story and not have it be dull and uneventful.
This book is also great for kids to read because it's all about fighting your fears. I believe that kids will take inspiration from Cecilia and find the roots of their fears on their own, and eventually find that there is not much to fear in the world. This message was pushed along by the "monster" being something practical and tangible, showing readers that everyday things don't have to be scary.
The only thing that tripped me up was I noticed one typo on page 6, where "following" was accidentally spelled "fallowing".
Other than that one blip, this book was great and I enjoyed it.

this story follows a little girl as she tries to overcome her fears! A wonderful topic to cover that most if not all children experience — could the sound of the water pipes be a monster? or the sounds of the electric in the walls a spooky creature? through beautiful illustrations with stark facial expressions of the main character, this story shows children that facing their fears and finding the truth behind what could be “lurking” will only help them overcome them.

This is a good book for any child who moves into a new house. Cecilia moves into a new house and it is full of noises, blinking lights and bumps in the night. She gets scared and hides under the covers and counts to 5 because when she does the something disappears. One night her imagination runs away with her and she has to face her fears. When she finally faces her fears it is a surprize to her on what is causing it. The illustrations and facial expressions are spot on in this book. This is a good storytime book.

Something in the Basement is an amazing picture book! This book follows a little girl as she struggles with fears of scary things happening in her house. It was adorably illustrated with simple and fun text. It was easy for a child to understand and relate to. Great storyline with a positive ending! I highly recommend this picture book!

This is a sweet little book about children’s imaginations and the fear they may struggle with. We are all afraid of bumps in the night and Cecilia is no different. In her new home, she feels as though “something” is around her all the time and is convinced it lives in the basement. One night, it call to her and she explores and finds that she has faced her fear. The illustrations are beautiful and I can see any teacher reading this to their class and discussing fears along with simple vocabulary.