The Mud Monster

Description

All the African animals were afraid of the Mud Monster. They knew it was huge and they knew it was horrible. But none of them had actually seen it. Until one day... The author's royalties will be donated in support of wildlife habitat conservation projects in Africa.

Jonnie Wild's interest in conservation was first stimulated by his own children's distress at learning about destruction of the rainforests. He set up the Yorkshire Rainforest project, which planted new forest trees in an Amazon area as big as Yorkshire, and now has similar projects all over the world. He pioneered many environmental projects in the tropics whilst leading his family business - the famous Betty's Tea Rooms and Yorkshire Tea and he now works with environmental scientists at the University of Leeds, supporting collaborative research and action in conserving forest habitats for the benefit of both animals and humans. Brita Granstroem's illustrations have won such top awards as the Smarties/Nestle Silver Award, and the English Association Picture Book Award (no less than five times) and she has been twice shortlisted for the ALMA (Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award). Her most recent book, with her husband Mick Manning, is Books, Books, Books! Brita's vivid memories of working as a volunteer for a flying doctor in Africa help to give authenticity as well as humour to her illustrations in The Mud Monster. Brita Granstroem lives in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

"A great book for kids to read before bath-time - creates a fun build-up to a splash-around. It's a brilliant tale of how your imagination can sometimes create scary creatures out of things that turn out to be friendly, whilst learning all about African animals and where they live. The use of numbers and repetitive language is ideal for helping children learn to read too." * Discover Animals * "This delightful, humorous story is about helping each other and overcoming imaginary fears... the author and illustrator have worked together to produce a brilliant book. The Mud Monster by Jonnie Wild and Brita Granstroem is a great book for kids to read before bath-time. My eighteen-month-old and five-year-old both love a bath and this book creates a fun build-up to a splash-around. It's a brilliant tale of how your imagination can sometimes create scary creatures out of things that turn out to be friendly, whilst learning all about African animals and where they live. The use of numbers and repetitive language is ideal for helping children learn to read too." * Books for Keeps 5 star review * "A fabulous story that's a little bit scary and spooky at first...It's a fantastic little story to settle down with at bedtime - despite the initial spookiness, kids will absolutely love the way the story wraps - with such a satisfying reveal which we, of course, aren't going to spoil for you!" * Read it, Daddy! * "Hilariously illustrated and full of fun, this second tale set in the African rainforest to feature the five flamingos, is one of teamwork and overcoming imaginary fears." * Red Reading Hub * "A great picture book that very cleverly demonstrates the idea that all living things need their own places to live. I liked reading this a lot with the three of them as it also includes details about animals and conservation as well as being a thoroughly enjoyable book to read." * Let them be Small *