Tag The Monster in the Lake

The Monster in the Lake / The Kerfuffle

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These are both recent Gecko Press titles – thanks to the publisher and Nicky Potter for sending them for review

The Monster in the Lake
Leo Timmers

Following one duck’s suggestion, four ducks contemplate some fun in the lake. Another however, has concerns about the monster said to be in there, but the others insist there’s no need to worry. Off they go into the water, with three ducks urging the fourth, “Trust us!”. Eric trails reluctantly behind and perhaps this gives him a clearer idea of what is going on beneath the surface.

At each turn of the page readers and Eric see more of the subaquatic reality while his companions remain oblivious despite his loud, “MONSTER!”warning, even insisting that they are the only ones around other than frogs and small fish. It takes Eric’s disappearance to ruffle his friends’ feathers,

though his reappearance soon puts them at their ease again. For Eric, this whole swim has been a truly memorable adventure; as for the others, they certainly won’t know that the monster is far from threatening, rather it’s a playful beastie.

Young audiences will love sharing in Eric’s subterfuge. They’ll love too, Leo Timmers’ bold, bright, whimsical images of the marine characters and the their underwater accoutrements: why though did Eric keep all the fun part to himself?

The Kerfuffle
Clotilde Perrin

Kitty and Pup are neighbours and the best of friends but suddenly everything changes. Kitty eats Pup’s fish, so in return Pup takes Kitty’s slipper. Now the two besties have become enemies and they decide not to see one another any more – ever. To that end they build a wall separating their abodes (the book’s flaps let readers see what is happening on either side.
With the wall complete, peace reigns but then a bunny rabbit appears on top of it. Dog and Kitty both want to make friends with the rabbit and they start fighting over the newcomer.

Now none of them is happy and Rabbit runs off. Eventually however Kitty decides it time to make peace with Dog and a lot of crashing and banging ensues that results in a solution that makes everyone happy.
Demonstrating the pointlessness of building walls, Clotilde Perrin’s clever amalgam of narrative and illustrations with those strategically placed flaps works really well. The illustrations deserve careful perusal as there is a lot going on between bit part players such as a pair of birds that start nesting, as well as a couple of mice.

The Monster in the Lake / Unicorn Academy: Isla and Buttercup

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Here are the latest stories in two magical series from Nosy Crow

The Monster in the Lake
Louie Stowell, illustrated by Davide Ortu
Nosy Crow

We’re back in the magical world Louie Stowell took us to in Dragon in the Library with youngest magician in the world, Kit Spencer. Beneath that library in Book Wood, she’s having ‘spelling’problems. She hasn’t been distracted, her pronunciation was spot on as were her hand gestures; so why, oh why, are her spells going haywire?
Then Kit and her pals learn two things: one: they can understand what the animals they encounter in the park are saying and two: Dogon the delightful dragon dog is poorly, very poorly.

Definitely time for a spot of investigation …

Almost before you can say ‘weird’ the friends find themselves face to face with a strange creature calling itself Lizzie and saying it’s a Lesser Nessie from Scotland.

After a conversation with Lizzie, the friends return to the library and before long they’re embarking on a double rescue undertaking in Scotland, via one the library’s portal books.

Once there they discover a mobile library and its librarian Duncan. Then follows a terrific adventure full of mermaids, ancient curses and much more. It’s dangerous, nail-bitingly tense and absolutely perfectly paced.

Once again Louie Stowell’s telling with its mix of magic, friendship and bookish references works a treat, and with Davide Ortu’s stylish illustrations, the result is another spellbinding foray into the world of Kit, Faith, Josh and Alita.

An absolutely brilliant, unmissable story for primary readers: and what a superb final observation by Faith, “Whatever else changes, whatever threats we face … We will always have books.”

For slightly younger readers:

Unicorn Academy: Isla and Buttercup
Julie Sykes, illustrated by Lucy Truman
Nosy Crow

Can it really be the 12th visit to the magical Unicorn Academy? I know one girl, now seven, who has lapped up all the stories so far and has been eagerly awaiting this new one. I’m sure she will devour it in a single sitting.

The term is drawing to a close and Isla is eager to graduate along with all the other girls. When her unicorn Buttercup discovers that his magical power is ‘finding magic’ Isla hopes that he’s capable of using this special power to find the evil Ms Willow who has disappeared.

Does 2nd year student Valentina know anything about her whereabouts – she’s certainly acting strangely. Why is she receiving so many letters, and who is sending them?

Once again, teamwork is key in this adventure: Will the girls find the missing teacher; will Isla finally believe in herself and will everyone receive their graduation scroll at the end of term?