Gilly’s Monster Trap by Cyndi Marko

Abstract

Reviewed by: Gilly’s Monster Trap by Cyndi Marko Kate Quealy-Gainer, Editor Marko, Cyndi Gilly’s Monster Trap; written and illus. by Cyndi Marko. Wiseman/Simon, 2023 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781665907552 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781665907569 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs Gilly loves the water: her favorite possession is her red pair of flippers and her best pal is her fish, Finnegan. She is therefore devastated when sightings of some sort of sea monster close down the beach at Lighthouse Bay, and she’s further upset when the thieving creature takes one of her flippers, among the other items it has [End Page 228] stolen from various villagers. Fed up, she devises a trap to capture the beast, but the monster evades her efforts and even escapes a fishing net. When Gilly falls into her own trap, the monster—a sneaky walrus—comes to the rescue and is then welcomed warmly by the grateful town. Never without her swim cap and bathing suit (and flippers until the walrus steals them), Gilly carries what is otherwise a convoluted story, and her plucky determination and genuine resourcefulness make her a delightful heroine. Watercolor and ink illustrations skillfully balance her playful energy with the serene idyll of a seaside town, and the milieu of the market pier has a cozy, welcoming quality. This could make an interesting pairing with Cox’s nonfiction work, Elizabeth, Queen of the Sea (BCCB 07/14) for a look at pinnipeds’ relationship with humans over the years. Facts about walruses and a bibliography are included in the backmatter. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois