Little Critter, Mercer Mayer's beloved character, stars in his own bad dream. Turning himself into a scary, disagreeable monster who won't go to school or take a bath or eat anything but fudge pops and pizza, Little Critter discovers that his family has decided to go away and leave him alone. Trapped in a lonely dream, Little Critter has to make a choice. The sweet and funny ending to this picture-book story will satisfy every young reader.

Gives a perspective about nightmares and lets preschooler know they are okay and happen to everybody. Little Critter has a dream that he drinks a magic potion and does wild stuff that he is never allowed to do : skip his baths, have a gorilla for a pet, eat icecream for breakfast, etc. Then when he gets sleepy in his dream, there is no one to tuck him in, read him a story, and give him a hug (the nightmare part). He wakes up to his Mom and Dad comforting him, tucking him in, and giving him warm milk.