Max is a monster. He lives with his family in the deep waters of the beautiful Blue Lake. He just looks like the rest of his family … big round yellow eyes, huge claws, extra wide mouth with sharp pointy teeth and a long, spiky tail. Only Max is a bit different. He’s a show-off. He creates havoc practising his cartwheels, leaping off the washing line and landing in the flower garden, and whizzing around on his skateboard. His family is fed up with him.

But the real problem is Max is lonely. He has no friends to play with. He tries amusing himself swimming in and out of the rocks and asking the fish to play with him, but they just swim away. But all that is about to change when Max starts showing off to a crowd of little children on the seashore.

This is another delightful chapter book for early readers. It’s fun with bright, happy, quirky illustrations and has a story with a heart. How could you not love a monster with a face like that?

Reviewed by Merle Morcom
Age Guide 5+