But most of all he fears nightfall. That’s when the monster prowls their village.
It thrives on fear and
has gained gigantic proportions, satisfying its hunger from the children’s
reaction to his presence.
Small in stature, and made fun of by the village children, Raymund is answered with laughter when he asks to join them to face the monster. He believes he has the courage needed.
Raymund is determined to overcome the fear he feels.
He has worked out a way. Can he succeed in staring the monster down?
Powerful portrayal of fear is presented in both
text and illustrations. Higginson’s prose is direct and positive. Ester De Boer,
using fine liner pens and watercolour pencils, has employed intricate detail to
portray the passion and confidence the monster has in controlling the children
through fear. Images of the children at play, and close-ups of Raymund, add
poignancy to the scenes and double spreads.
The artwork displaying the trees in the forest is
exceptionally beautiful. The spreading roots in the ground and the splayed out
branches above, juxtapose the children’s fear magnified, with the monster’s
insatiable appetite.
Title: Raymund and the Fear Monster
Author: Megan Higginson
Illustrator: Ester De Boer
Publisher: Blue Brumby Books, $20.00
Publication Date: October 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 97805483381
For ages: 5 - 8
Type: Picture Book
