Caffeinated Reviewer

Nonna’s Corner is a special feature where I share books I’ve reviewed with my grandchildren, affectionately referred to as the “Royals” here at Caffeinated.

Today we are excited to share Mayhem and a Monster: A boy’s adventure with his cat by Jason H Finck. Illustrated by Elena Komonina, this story was one the kids thoroughly enjoyed. It’s the story of a young boy who has to take out the rubbish and his cat joins him on their spooky walk to the bins. I loved how engaged my grandchild became as the story progressed. Check out our thoughts….

As with some children, procrastination gets the best of this young boy when his mother asks him to take the evening's rubbish out. When he sets out, just after dusk, to do as he's been asked, his vivid imagination and anxious anticipation, go into hyper mode by the sounds and happenings of the evening outdoors. Down the squeaky stairs, through twisted shadows, he makes his way to the burn can, but not without hesitation. His small black cat follows him from house to burn can, perhaps known, or unbeknownst to the boy. The closing darkness makes the creepy happenings even worse, and when his imagination continues to grow, he fears he will never make it to his destination. He is sure a monster is out there somewhere ready to get him, but is that true? As suspense builds, the tale of this boy and his black cat comes to a surprise climax. Is there really such a thing as a monsters? To find out join in this journey as Mayhem and a Monster follows the boy's adventure at this country farmhouse.

I love when a book captures my grandchildren’s attention and Mayhem and a Monster did just that. From the title to the spooky illustrations, that were just scary enough to engage them to the surprise ending.

We meet a young boy who is asked to take out the rubbish. Clayton, my seven-year-old grandson, didn’t know the work rubbish, but our nine-year-old quickly yelled its trash. Hazel, the three-year-old, was fixed on looking for the cat. The author reminds the reader to look for the cat on every page, something they all enjoyed.

So out into the night, the young boy and his black cat head with the rubbish. The boy lives on a farm and only the moonlight highlights there way. They went down the creaky stairs and out into the dark night. It was a magnificent time for mayhem and monster. Past the barn, henhouse, the misty pond and orchard.

As I read, the children’s excitement grew and all of them would chant, “It was a magnificent time for mayhem and monster.” They had me giggling as the suspense built. When we finally reached the end, they, too, were giggling.

The writing is chapter level with vocabulary builder words that made the tale atmospheric. The illustrations were well done and added to the suspenseful tone as they made their way to the burn cans. My grandchildren loved the repeating last line and finding the cat on each page.

A winner for your bookshelf, school and library. The Royals have demanded re-reads, and the oldest has read to them as well. We were sent the hardcover and I recommend it as this one will be well loved.

Amazon

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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