Jim Meets the Thing Author:Barbara Cohen, Lillian Hoban (Illustrator) A story that lets kids know it's okay to be afraid sometimes. Jim is the only one in the first grade who is scared of The Thing on television. He feels so afraid. No one else is afraid. But when a praying mantis walks on Danny's arm, no one wants to touch it. Only on brave first grader dares to take it off. Who could it be? Full color.