Was the girl's companion an actual monster, or just horrible? And do you remember if there were some rats or mice in it? I think Emmy in Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat was left with an evil lady while her parents traveled around...

No ideas but this sounds rad!

I'm looking for the title and/or author of a children's chapter book. Here's what I know...

It's about a young girl (6-8 years) who lives in an apartment, mostly by herself. Her parents travel constantly and send postcards home to her. The girl has a monster-like companion who lives with her. The girl has a collection of hats and in her house there is a long table with different types of lights hanging overhead (this was described in detail).

The author is a children's illustrator and this may have been the first book he authored. It was published in or around 2007. It is fairly short (maybe 75 pages or so) and around a 3rd or 4th grade reading level.

If anyone has ANY ideas, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!!!