An easy-to-read adventure story for the young reader who is ready to move onto novels.
Australian author Emily Rodda (real name Jennifer Rowe) has been writing children’s books for as long as I can remember. Over the years she has been the recipient of many awards. Rodda is best known for her Deltora Quest series, but also writes fiction for adults under her real name.
Her latest book for children, Monty’s Island, is about a group of friends (both human and animal) who live on an isolated island in the middle of the ocean. This book, subtitled Scary Mary and the Stripe Spell is the first in a new series. The island is home to humans Monty and Marigold the cook, Tawny the lion, Bunchy the elephant magician, Clink the parrot, who is a shipwrecked pirate, and Sir Wise the owl. There are also two Argue Birds, the Jinglebees who eat anything, and the Hairy Horrible, the island’s resident monster.
Each character in the story has their own personality and cause problems in their own way. But equally, their different personalities allow problems to be solved. The Jinglebees are particularly funny as they eat everything in sight, including clothing.
Every morning Monty and Tawny go beachcombing looking for treasures, while waiting for Marigold to cook breakfast in her café. One day, the small band find themselves working together to save their island from the evil pirate Scary Mary. Along the way, things go wrong but perseverance, quick thinking and luck save the day.
Black and white lined illustrations by Lucinda Gifford are a great addition to the text and help bring the characters and story to life.
Monty’s Island, a chapter book, is suitable for those early readers who are ready to move onto more difficult texts. The underlying themes are friendship, accepting people for who they are, working together and believing in yourself.
Reviewed by Sue Mauger
Distributed by: Allen &Unwin
Released: March 2020
RRP: $14.99
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