Felix and the Monsters

July 1, 2020
A guard halfheartedly does his job but deep inside has a musical soul. Felix's job is to guard a wall and keep his side safe from the monsters on the other side. But what he really likes to do is rock out on his keytar and pretend he is in a band. None of the other guards understand his passion. Instead of wielding a spear or a shield, Felix grabs his keytar and plays "epic solos." One day, someone joins him. Sounds of a bass guitar float over from the other side of the wall! A small, red, saucer-eared creature named Dot has been "lured...by the beautiful sounds of that portable piano machine." The temptation to create sweet beats together is too strong--Felix jump to Dot's side of the wall, and they jam. Felix finds a shocking revelation: The monsters are not monstrous at all. When his fellow guards come crashing in, ready to save him, Felix isn't sure he wants to go back. In the illustrations, on Felix's side, everything has sharp, blocklike angles (even the guards). On Dot's side everything is rounded and smooth. Blue, thimble-shaped Felix himself is a combination of both aesthetics. The conclusion rushes toward happiness and reads a bit slapdash, but it is winsome just the same. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 47% of actual size.) A gentle reminder of the danger of preconceived notions. (Picture book. 4-7)

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September 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 2-Felix feels like he doesn't fit in at his job as a guard on the wall. He really wants to play his keytar, not chase away the monsters that are on the other side. One day, when he's playing his keytar, one of the monsters joins in by playing a bass guitar, and Felix finds that the monsters on the other side aren't as dangerous as he once thought. In fact, the monsters are all producing amazing art! Even the fellow guards are impressed enough to tear down the wall. The message of getting to know people before you judge them comes through loud and clear with bright cheerful mixed media artwork. The text is simple and direct without being cloying or pandering. VERDICT An extremely amiable picture book about acceptance and tolerance of others, and a welcome book for most shelves, this would be a great read-aloud at the beginning of the school year.-Debbie Tanner, S D Spady Montessori Elem., FL

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