This is a fun picture book filled with adventure in colorful, imaginative drawings. It is best enjoyed as a read-aloud because the creatures' names are fun to say. The tale begins with Sarah and her little brother, Louis, enjoying a pleasant bike ride in the woods. Suddenly Louis is eaten by (Gasp!) a giant orange creature with sharp, pointy teeth called a Gulper. But Sarah knows she can still save her brother because "...Gulpers usually swallow their food whole and that if she was quick, there might be a way to get Louis back." So, being the loyal and protective big sister that she is, Sarah sets out to save him. Thus begins a heroic quest by land, sea and air, with increasing MacGyver-like ingenuity on Sarah's part as she modifies her bike to fit new environments. I know that my older sister saved me from a Gulper or two in my childhood, so I can relate, as will any kids with a big sis. Also, Louis, has a brave moment of sticking up for his older sister too. So, the kid brother or sister gets a chance to shine as well. When Louis and his big sister, Sarah, were out in the woods, Louis got eaten by a Gulper. Sarah didn’t panic, she got something she thought she might need and rode after them. But just as she had almost caught them, the Gulper was eaten by a Grabular. Sarah continued to follow but just as she almost reached the Grabular, it was eaten by an Undersnatch. The Undersnatch was eaten by a Spiney-backed Guzzler. The Guzzler was eaten by a Yumper. Sarah approached the Yumper as it slept, but how in the world was she going to save Louis? Fardell delights in the ridiculous here and young audiences will too. The series of monsters that feast on one another makes for a very silly read, each monster more strange than the last and larger too. Sarah is a wonderful heroine and really the main character of the book. As she chases the monsters, she slowly converts her bicycle into a new and amazing contraption that can paddle on water, run underwater, zoom with the wind, or even walk on stick legs. She’s not only resourceful but she remains calm too. Fardell’s illustrations are detailed and wonderful. He makes each monster unique and intriguing. The illustrations are done in pen and ink and watercolor. Fardell manages to get such detail in his illustrations that it’s a real surprise when the monsters appear against such a realistic background. At the same time, the detail doesn’t remove any of the playfulness. It just makes the illustrations all the more fun to linger with.An ideal read-aloud, this book is one of those that you can use to settle wiggly kids. They won’t be able to resist the storyline, the monsters, and a great ending. Appropriate for ages 3-6.
What do You think about Ti Mangio! (2011)?
Good for young monster fans, as we meet quite a few in this short story. They are not scary though.
—Aisling
One page in particular is worth the price of admission. You'll know the one.
—Anurag
