TITLE: Not a Monster
AUTHOR: Claudia Guadalupe Martinez
PUBLISHER: Charlesbridge Publishing
ISBN: 978-1623543037
PODCAST EPISODE: None
REVIEWER: Hilary Wilson
If it’s not a monster, then what is it?
Claudia Guadalupe Martinez seeks to answer that question for all curious readers who glimpse the cover of her new children’s book, Not a Monster, published in late 2023 by Charlesbridge. Martinez is the award-winning author of The Smell of Old Lady Perfume, Pig Park, and Not a Bean. Not a Monster is lovingly illustrated by Laura Gonzalez.
The axolotl is a strange little animal. Although sometimes called the “water dog” or “Mexican walking fish” the name axolotl originates from an old Aztec god, Xolotl, who ruled all the monstrous things. Axolotl, then, is most commonly translated as “water monster.” Martinez highlights its history within Not a Monster, along with the life cycle of the salamander within its wild habitat.
The book is told in a mixture of English and Spanish. While it is easy to pick up the meaning of the Spanish words through context, there is still a glossary at the back of the book that can be referenced. It is easy to read, and easy to imagine the book sparking greater curiosity about the natural world, through its depiction of the salamanders and their life. The folk tale of their origins is bookended by the story of their enigmatic smile, and a hope for the future through education.
Laura Gonzalez’s art is beautiful. There are traditional designs melded into the background of the beautiful nature scenes. The colors are vibrant, while still being true to the natural shades of the animals. Traditional designs fill the empty spaces alongside the text, and the world both above and below and lake are gorgeous. Gonzalez highlights the emotional life of the animal without anthropomorphizing.
Not a Monster is a beautiful way to expose a child to both Mexican culture and the importance of biodiversity within the world. The book rewards curiosity, and offers ways for children to get involved with conservation. The folklore mixes with the natural history to highlight how the preservation of animals is important not just for ecology, but also for cultural heritage.
AUTHOR: Claudia Guadalupe Martinez
PUBLISHER: Charlesbridge Publishing
ISBN: 978-1623543037
PODCAST EPISODE: None
REVIEWER: Hilary Wilson
If it’s not a monster, then what is it?
Claudia Guadalupe Martinez seeks to answer that question for all curious readers who glimpse the cover of her new children’s book, Not a Monster, published in late 2023 by Charlesbridge. Martinez is the award-winning author of The Smell of Old Lady Perfume, Pig Park, and Not a Bean. Not a Monster is lovingly illustrated by Laura Gonzalez.
The axolotl is a strange little animal. Although sometimes called the “water dog” or “Mexican walking fish” the name axolotl originates from an old Aztec god, Xolotl, who ruled all the monstrous things. Axolotl, then, is most commonly translated as “water monster.” Martinez highlights its history within Not a Monster, along with the life cycle of the salamander within its wild habitat.
The book is told in a mixture of English and Spanish. While it is easy to pick up the meaning of the Spanish words through context, there is still a glossary at the back of the book that can be referenced. It is easy to read, and easy to imagine the book sparking greater curiosity about the natural world, through its depiction of the salamanders and their life. The folk tale of their origins is bookended by the story of their enigmatic smile, and a hope for the future through education.
Laura Gonzalez’s art is beautiful. There are traditional designs melded into the background of the beautiful nature scenes. The colors are vibrant, while still being true to the natural shades of the animals. Traditional designs fill the empty spaces alongside the text, and the world both above and below and lake are gorgeous. Gonzalez highlights the emotional life of the animal without anthropomorphizing.
Not a Monster is a beautiful way to expose a child to both Mexican culture and the importance of biodiversity within the world. The book rewards curiosity, and offers ways for children to get involved with conservation. The folklore mixes with the natural history to highlight how the preservation of animals is important not just for ecology, but also for cultural heritage.