Monty is a resourceful and thoughtful young boy who lives on a small magical island with his loyal companion Tawny the Fearless Lion. They share the island with kind-hearted Bunchy the Elephant Magician, gentle Sir Wise (an owl), mean-spirited Clink the Shipwrecked Parrot, and sensible Marigold who runs the island café. There is also a resident monster, the Hairy Horrible, who lives in a cave and doesn’t like sand between his toes.
When Monty and Tawny are beachcombing after a big storm, they find a golden egg, lots of useful debris and a dazed newcomer, The Explorer, who has been washed ashore. The golden egg hatches to reveal a baby creature which grows rapidly and eats voraciously. Two unfamiliar monsters fly onto the island, frightening everyone and acting in a threatening way. A Ranger from the Rare Beasts Division arrives on the trail of reprehensible persons who steal rare animals to sell to collectors.
What are these frightening monsters and why are they on Monty’s Island? What are The Explorers true motives? Will Bunchy’s spells turn out for the best or will they add to the mayhem? What will become of the baby creature? Every chapter is a cliff-hanger with unresolved questions, right up until the final chapter when Monty solves the mysteries.
This new adventure is the third book in the series by Emily Rodda, one of Australia’s best-known children’s authors. She has won numerous literary awards and written over 100 books, including the popular Rowan of Rin and Deltora Quest series. Emily is an expert in getting kids engrossed in a story so they begin reading for pleasure. She writes stories that resonate with children, setting up an experience where they get hooked on reading, and where they discover the magical places that reading can take them.
This series is designed for the enjoyment of newly independent readers 6+ and reluctant readers. The vocabulary is simple, the chapters are not too lengthy, and the plot is sophisticated enough to build tension and mystery. Chunk it out into a chapter a day for a satisfying reading experience that won’t feel like a chore. Because we’re all feeling the holiday vibe!
This book and the others in the series are also perfect for reading aloud to children. During the summer holidays we often have a bit more time to slow down to be present with each other and to share the joy of a captivating story, one chapter at a time. They’ll be begging you for another chapter at every sitting! Plus, the characters behaviours and motivations will create plenty of conversation, touching on themes of animal trafficking, animal rights, loyalty and friendship, moral dilemmas and dealing with difficult people.
The series is illustrated by popular Australian author/illustrator Lucinda Gifford. Her detailed depictions of the characters and their predicaments add immense value to the reading experience. The black and white drawings provide context, helping imaginations to grasp the nuances of the written descriptions, and they are generously scattered throughout the chapters, breaking up pages to ensure readers are not daunted by too much text.
If you are looking for something to engage young readers over the school holidays, Monty’s Island is a surefire winner. In the ongoing screen-time battles and the intermittent search for “boredom busters” it is a good strategy to have alternatives readily at hand and Monty’s Island will certainly provide an entertaining diversion.
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