Official Review: Down the Monster Hole by Carmela Tal Baron

Please use this sub-forum to discuss both middle-grade and younger children's books, including picture books, easy readers, and children's chapter books. Topics for books aimed at children 12 and under go in this forum.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
DorcasToo
Posts: 766
Joined: 02 Feb 2018, 16:01
Currently Reading: Call Me Pomeroy
Bookshelf Size: 207
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-dorcastoo.html
Latest Review: Tidal Pools by Robert Marier

Re: Official Review: Down the Monster Hole by Carmela Tal Baron

Post by DorcasToo »

Sounds like a book my niece sill enjoy as she really loves adventure. Congrats on BOTD. Thanks for your great review.
Helena91
Posts: 171
Joined: 27 Apr 2019, 15:16
Currently Reading: The Surgeon's Wife
Bookshelf Size: 15
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-helena91.html
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: Someone Else's End by Matthew Tysz

Post by Helena91 »

'Young Tom loves to sleep', I definitely can relate. When I was younger sleeping was my major weakness. I will be adding this to my bookshelves.
User avatar
Balazon2000
Posts: 225
Joined: 04 Jan 2019, 20:17
Favorite Book: Adrift
Currently Reading: Awaken You Wonderful We
Bookshelf Size: 98
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-balazon2000.html
Latest Review: Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign
Reading Device: B07BNZ74G8

Post by Balazon2000 »

This looks to be a great little book for all children. The story line will appeal to young readers but the vocabulary is still a lttle too much for the younger group. A good read a long for that younger group. Congrats on the #BOTD
graceful-1
Posts: 281
Joined: 09 Jan 2019, 00:35
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 17
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-graceful-1.html
Latest Review: High Hopes by Sue Lilley

Post by graceful-1 »

Something we have in common, "Tom loves to sleep." Me too! When my children were growing up I loved to read them stories, so when you mentioned in the review, "This is a children’s fantasy adventure that parents and kids will both enjoy." I thought, what a great book to read to my granddaughter when she gets a little older.
User avatar
Elsereen
Posts: 292
Joined: 31 Jan 2019, 07:35
Currently Reading: TBD August 2022 Book of the Month
Bookshelf Size: 63
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-elsereen.html
Latest Review: Rise of the Savior by Antoine Bonner

Post by Elsereen »

Am not into children books, kudos to the author for putting together a nice work. thanks for the amazing review.
User avatar
Nadine Forsberg
Posts: 57
Joined: 08 May 2019, 04:21
Currently Reading: The Land of Stories: Worlds Collide
Bookshelf Size: 40
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nadine-forsberg.html
Latest Review: Illustrated Short Fiction of William H. Coles: 2000-2016 by William H. Coles

Post by Nadine Forsberg »

This book sounds a lot like Alice in wonderland with all the unusual thing happening...
Sumbule1
Posts: 301
Joined: 13 Jun 2018, 13:25
Currently Reading: The Five Musketeers
Bookshelf Size: 137
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sumbule1.html
Latest Review: Pancake Money by Finn Bell

Post by Sumbule1 »

This sounds like a wonderful book for kids. I love how it is filled with engaging illustrations and spreads imagination and positivity. Congrats on the book of the day!
Nana-Cakes
Posts: 33
Joined: 09 Apr 2019, 10:16
Currently Reading: Pressing Flowers
Bookshelf Size: 19
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nana-cakes.html
Latest Review: The Grand by Dennis D. Wilson

Post by Nana-Cakes »

As someone who very much enjoys the dreamscape, I could relate to little Tom. If I was him I probably would have smashed the clocks as well. When a child has an imagination it can be hard to find a balance for them. While I only read the sample, I think this book would be amazing for anyone at any age. We are always trying to figure it out and there is always a child left in us somewhere.
Great job by the author.
User avatar
Jorge Leon Salazar
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 1584
Joined: 03 Mar 2019, 07:06
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 150
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jorge-leon-salazar.html
Latest Review: Mrs Geddes and other stories by Saman Mahanama Dissanayake

Post by Jorge Leon Salazar »

This book tells us about the young Tom, who loves to sleep and because of the problems that this causes him at home and at school he feels misunderstood and decides to go on an adventure of surprising fantasy and full of emotions.
User avatar
SavannaEGoth
Posts: 185
Joined: 28 Mar 2019, 12:25
Favorite Book: Warriors
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 34
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-savannaegoth.html
Latest Review: Misreading Judas by Robert Wahler

Post by SavannaEGoth »

It's been so long since I've endulged my inner child. These used to be the kinds of books I really liked reading when I was younger--fantastic lands born from the imaginations of children. I really like that the author had the characters creating monsters and beings from things found in their environment, thus creating a rich and complex world for themselves to escape to and explore. The added layer of depth from the lore they crafted for their own world of play makes it that much better. It's also pretty rare that you would find a book like this to include illustrations, and by the author no less. The amount of care and heart put into what I've seen of this book coupled with your glowing review make me want to begin reading it soon.

Thank you for taking the time to write this!
"I'm going to die whatever you do, but I'm not afraid."
- Yellowfang Warriors: Rising Storm
User avatar
Clorinda Donovan
Posts: 325
Joined: 26 Feb 2019, 17:58
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 155
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-clorinda-donovan.html
Latest Review: Please Don't Tell Cooper He's A Dog by Michelle Lander Feinberg

Post by Clorinda Donovan »

As child I couldn't read so for me the illustrations were everything. A fun children's story with pictures sounds like fun for all kids. Nice review too 👍
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Confucius
Dominic kimwele
Posts: 157
Joined: 03 May 2017, 11:58
Favorite Book: Strong Heart
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 111

Post by Dominic kimwele »

some years back I was like Tom, I hate morning clocks though I slightly changed. It's an interesting story for kids
User avatar
Verna Coy
Posts: 1234
Joined: 30 Sep 2018, 00:36
Currently Reading: The Magician's Secret
Bookshelf Size: 194
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-verna-coy.html
Latest Review: The Fate of AI Society by Kenneth Hamer-Hodges

Post by Verna Coy »

I read the sample for this book on Amazon. The first thing that jumped out at me in the Author's note was a grammar mistake. 'Peak' his curiosity should have been 'pique' his curiosity,so it seems it may still need a little polishing. That said, I think the illustration examples were fantastic, and the story premise was good. Your review describes an enjoyable adventure for children, thanks! :tiphat:
User avatar
Katherine Smith
Posts: 1463
Joined: 30 Mar 2017, 10:56
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 524">Nancy Drew</a>
Currently Reading: The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe
Bookshelf Size: 504
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-katherine-smith.html
Latest Review: "Whisky tango foxtrot...copy" by John regan
Reading Device: B01KVZV52A

Post by Katherine Smith »

I like this book because the author's hidden message is to teach children to use their imagination in their daily lives. I like that this book had two different kinds of writing styles which is something that you don't ordinarily come across in children's books. I think that another round of editing to make the story more uniform would help with the issues that you described.
Latest Review: "Whisky tango foxtrot...copy" by John regan
User avatar
timd
Posts: 792
Joined: 27 May 2018, 11:53
Favorite Book: The Rim of Space
Currently Reading: Making Monsters
Bookshelf Size: 440
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-timd.html
Latest Review: Mobius by Garon Whited

Post by timd »

Sounds like an entertaining book for older children. Perhaps the poetry doesn't rhyme but I dont think the children will mind. I like the concept of an old scrapyard as a fantasy setting. Thank you for the insightful review.
Latest Review: Mobius by Garon Whited
Post Reply

Return to “Children's Books”