Something in the Basement by Malika Oakley is a children's picture book featuring colorful illustrations by Mark Balita. The story follows Cecilia, a youngster who has been feeling a bit uncomfortable lately. Since her family moved to their home, Cecilia has sensed something following her every move. It flashes by when she brushes her teeth, stares at her when she sleeps at night, and creeps up behind her when she watches TV in the living room. Cecilia hasn't seen what it is yet, but she knows it's there. She believes it lives in her basement with the humming monster that makes noises in the winter. Now, there's only one thing left to do. She must face her fears head-on and see for herself what's living in her basement.

Sometimes, our imaginations can play tricks with our minds, leading us to fret over things that may not be as scary as we might have perceived them to be. Malika Oakley builds on this premise in a thrilling tale that will captivate young readers with suspense, mystery, and intrigue. The author masterfully incorporates a gentle lesson about truth and shows how it banishes fear and anxiety from our minds. Cecilia is an adorable child. Children will definitely relate to her experiences and will find her courage to rise above her fears and doubts inspiring. Another highlight of the book for me was the artwork. I felt it perfectly suited the tone of the story and made the setting so much more immersive. Young readers are going to love this book!

Something in the Basement by Malika Oakley tells of 'Fun and Frights in the Basement Below.' Cecilia and her family have moved to a new home, but Cecilia is scared. There’s something there, watching her all the time, waiting. It lives in the basement with other demons and devils that make the lights go on and off, and make strange, loud noises. One night, Cecilia is woken by a voice calling her. Will she face her fears and follow the voice? What will she find in the basement?

Something in the Basement by Malika Oakley offers kids a fun story packed with suspense. I like that it is based on the author’s personal experiences, as that lends reality to the story, and the illustrations by Mark Balita help bring it to life. The writing style is compelling and descriptive, and it will have kids on the edges of their seats as it builds the suspense before revealing the truth. While it is a fun read, it also teaches kids to have courage and face their fears. Most of the time, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for what may be scaring them, and things often aren’t as scary as they might seem at first glance. Malika has created a wonderful, likable, and relatable character in Cecilia, and I do not doubt that lots of kids will identify with her. Books like this are perfect for reading at home and school, both fun and educational. I highly recommend this book for every parent, grandparent, and teacher to include in their child’s library.