Otter Barry Books ISBN 1910959862978 £6.99
This is the second collaboration between this author and illustrator. It highlights a group of African animals featuring five flamingos and their wildlife friends. The jolly cast of characters are all fearful of the sinister Mud Monster. Everyone “knew it was huge, and they knew it was horrible” but no one had ever seen it until, one day, four mischievous monkeys find a huge, horrible gurgling mud monster down at the waterhole. As they scream for help the monster rises from the waterhole revealing itself to be five muddied flamingos “As muddy as can be.” They ask for help to get to the river to rid themselves of the mud and the monkeys oblige by carrying them. Soon all the creatures are muddy and monstrous looking so it is no surprise that, when the warthog comes across them, he too believes he has seen the horrible Mud Monster and so the story continues with other African creatures adding to the Muddy Monster creation. When they reach the river they are shocked to see the real Mud Monster already on the water…. or is it? The humorous story and bright watercolour illustrations will appeal to young animal lovers and enthusiasts. There is a page of information about environmental conservation at the end and royalties from the book support wildlife conservation in Africa. Age 3 – 6.
Jane Macleod