PICTURE BOOKS

The Monster in the Lake

by Leo Timmers (text) & illus. by Leo Timmers
Gecko. Sept. 2025. 36p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9798765670507. PreS-Gr 2
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2–Four ducks are ready for fun in a lake full of monsters—though only one of them seems to know it! When a duck hesitates to join the others, asking, “But what about the monster?” the friends insist there’s nothing to worry about. Each spread offers a clever above-and-below-the-water view, building suspense as fish and frogs give way to something bigger. Just as the ducks confidently declare “TRUST US,” a huge monster appears; one duck is pulled underwater, only to return and claim again that there’s no such thing as a monster. Whether this is denial or a misunderstanding is never fully explained. A silly tone and expressive illustrations bring energy to the pages, but the unclear resolution leaves readers guessing.
VERDICT A visually engaging story with playful elements, but the confusing message and weak plot make it a lower priority for library collections.
Reviewed by Kirsten Caldwell , May 31, 2025

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