This is a lovely story of a young girl who goes on an adventure through the woods to find a monster she has seen. It is written in a modern and easy-to-read manner with moments of heart-warming comedy.

My title: Monster Magic Mysteries
Fav character: Monsters
Readability: Easy
Type: Children’s Book
4.5/5

🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Quirky art
~ Fun rhyming scheme
~ Lessons about curiosity, adventure, acceptance, imagination and loss
~ Can easily become a child’ favourite book to read :)
~ Quick read

One day Monet spots something while outside that her parents don’t believe, a tiny fluffy monster. She decides to embark on a journey to find the monster and to prove to her parents that they are out there. What she finds is a whole new world full of magic, wonder and laughter and although she can’t stay with them forever, she learns an important lesson that day.

✨Give it a read.

🌱THE MEH
~ No names for the monsters (not a real issue, but I was curious)
~ Can’t share quotes or I’ll give the story away 🥲

♡🌱 But that’s just me ;)

Cute and a bit creepy at the same time. I did like the message the reader is left with: “leaving doesn’t always mean goodbye.”

I personally was not a fan of this book. The text felt hard to read and connect with the story. At some points, the text rhymed, and others it didn't. If the writing was more concise, and a difference in the text choice, I felt like it would've flowed more.

Not all monsters are scary. And thanks to Monet, kids can learn that now too.
The monsters in this book just want to stay hidden in their forest and bake cakes. And those babe got to be the BEST kind of monsters a kid could ask to meet.
Reminiscent slightly of Monsters, Inc., Monet learns that the monsters in the forest don’t mean her any harm, and the are helpful when they can be.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this title in order to review it. My thoughts and take aways are on that version and may not reflect the final copy.

The cover of this book is what drew me to it. It's bright and adorable.

I read through it once myself and then read it to my 8 year old twins. They weren't overly invested but thought the story was cute. It would probably go over better with a slightly younger audience.

Personally I found the rhyme scheme and rhythm awkward and I didn't much care for how it ended. It was rather abrupt, I would have liked to see Monet tell her parents about her adventure in the end. The illustrations are a little choppy and reminded me of the early Sim games.

I did enjoy the idea of the story and I really hope the finished product is a little more polished.

This book due to come out on March 1st 2022.

Monet and the Monster Magic has a good message but otherwise fails for me. The slant rhyming scheme is not consistent and stands out like a sore thumb, and the illustrations are, at least to me, a mixture of cheap computer graphics on a Colorform background that's been digitized. The flow of the story was stunted and couldn't decide if it wanted to be a rhyming picture book or an awkwardly worded early reader. Punctuation would have really helped deliver the story's message (seriously, there are 7 commas, 4 question marks, and 1 exclamation mark but no periods... anywhere in the story).

The well-meaning intent of the book is simply overshadowed by the glaring flaws and missteps in the delivery.

Thank you, NetGalley and Wakeless River Press LLC., for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.

It has been a very long time since I hated a picture book, but this one did not do it for me at all. It was about monsters and cake but I couldn’t make myself like it.

I disliked the art, more than anything. Like, a lot. I love art, and different art, and even weird art — but this was not it. I’m having a hard time reigning in my Opinionated Snark while describing the art, so I have deleted all descriptions and will leave it at strongly Not For Me.

I unfortunately didn’t really care for the story itself either, and do not recommend it.

*I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, all opinions my own

Who is afraid of monsters?!?

Not the little girl in this story. She saw a tiny monster in the woods. Her parents don't believe her, so she sets off deeper in the woods than she's ever gone before searching for more monsters. She finds more than she bargains for — I won't ruin the ending, but the story is really cute, written in rhyme, and ends with the idea that "leaving doesn't always mean goodbye. The illustrations are fun and well done.

This is a fun book that could easily engage younger kids' imaginations. Ask them where they think monsters might hide in their world, what colors they are, and what they eat. It also might be a great way to discuss that some monsters are friendly -- like these monsters or Cookie Monster.

This is a cute story about a girl searching for monsters and magic in the woods. The drawings and storyline are whimsical. The monsters are illustrated in bold colors and are not scary. There is a sweet sentiment at the end that would be a helpful reminder for any child that may be preparing to go to school or preschool and is worried about being separated from family members or guardians.

The rhyming pattern makes the story flow in a singsong manner. My preschooler liked the monster illustrations and had us pause while we were reading so he could study them more.

A lovely short story fit for primary school aged children between 5-7. There’s a nice little message at the end that would be ideal for when children may be moving up from one year group to the next and used in a phse manner.

Outside of a school setting the book is a nice heartwarming story of a young child searching for magic and monsters even when her parents don’t believe her. I think many children would enjoy the story and due to the rhyming style of writing, the book flows nicely. Perfect length for a bed time story!

Overall 4 stars

Monet and the Monster Magic is a simply told, engaging, and magical story for the youngest readers by R.E. Lockett. Due out 1st March 2022, it's 32 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a whimsical and fun story told in alternating full page electronic illustrations and simple rhyming text. Monet is a little girl who finds some monster friends and explores their world along with some everyday magic (and still manages to get home in time for dinner). The text is simple and the pictures are very colorful and fun. I liked that Monet is resourceful friendly and kind, that she listens to her parents, and that she seeks out adventures. I love the representation of the friendly monsters she meets in the course of the book; they're all different sizes and colors and shapes and Monet herself is a young girl of color (which isn't referred to at all in the book, but representation is nice).

This would be a good selection for public or school library acquisition, or read-to-me/bedtime reading time with an adult even for the youngest children. It would also make a fine reading circle classroom group read. It's a peaceful and fun read - not scary at all.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This book is so sweet and will absolutely make you feel things. It’s like a hug in a book and Monet and the little monsters are simply adorable.

An adorably illustrated fantasy told lyrically. Perfect for bedtime or nap time as it is short and bound to spark kids’ vivid imaginations.

I definitely enjoyed and see myself re-reading it again to my little nieces and nephews. The story was quite enjoyable and language has grapes me and hooked me till the very end