Review - Monster Max and the Bobble Hat of Forgetting by Robin Bennett; illustrations by Tom Tinn-Disbury
Max is just a slightly scruffy, ordinary kind of boy…until he burps, that is. When he burps, he turns into a huge, hairy monster who can leap over buildings, roar really loudly and eat entire dustbins. Being a monster is great! He can go where he wants (who’s going to stop him?) and do what he likes. And Max has made a super-hero kind of vow to only “protect and do good stuff.” This usually works out okay. Until he sneezes, which turns him back into an ordinary boy, and sometimes he finds himself far away from home in only his pants…that’s a little awkward.
Then…one day (or night, should we say) something starts causing a lot of damage in his neighborhood and the finger is pointing straight at Monster Max. The finger that’s pointing belongs to that pesky kid from down the road, Peregrine…a kid Maxs’ age who has invented a portable operating omni-prison machine (or POOP, for short), would stop stalking him, Max might be able to uncover the real vandal.
This book is HILARIOUS! But it’s also well-written, full of action, drama and a hefty amount of monster-sized heart. Chocked full of word-play, irreverent humour and unlikely circumstances, it speaks to the little monster-hero in everyone. Max is a fantastic character; one that readers will want as a best friend; with a different kind of outlook on life, due to his monstrous side. His sidekick (or maybe minder) Frankenstein the cat is completely glorious. He has weird and wonderful parents, who have secrets of their own. But they do their best to keep a watchful eye on Max. But Max is brave, determined and a little rash in his actions. And Peregrine, that frustrating, misunderstanding kid from down the road acts as the perfect comic foil for all of Maxs’ adventures.
Dangerous and hilarious bad guys vs. an ordinary boy with an outlandish, bizarre hidden identity; what’s not to love? You won’t stop laughing from start to finish in this brilliant, madcap adventure. Attention grabbing, heart-warming and completely bonkers!
This incredibly funny and sweet book is now on sale at LitVox. Click here.
