Felix and the Monsters

by Josh Holtsclaw, Josh Holtsclaw (Illustrator), Monica Holtsclaw, Monica Holtsclaw (Illustrator)

Overview

A lonely guard and his beloved keytar headline this timely, humorous look at the walls we create, what they mean, and why they might need to come down.

Felix's job is to help guard the wall that protects everyone from the horrible monsters on the other side. But it's a boring job—nothing ever happens at the wall, so he spends his time dreaming of playing his keytar in a band. One day, Felix hears music coming from the other side of the wall, and sets out to investigate. What he discovers will knock some sense into him and show him and the other guards a better way to deal with the unknown. Let the music begin!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593110522
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	09/01/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD570L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Josh Holtsclaw grew up in Georgia and studied illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He is a graphic art director at Pixar Animation Studios and worked on Cars 3, Incredibles 2, Toy Story 4, and Soul. He also worked on The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link at Laika Animation Studios. In addition to his work in animation, he illustrated the Little Golden Books A Roaring Adventure and Jurassic Park, and the picture book Racing Rivals.

Monica Holtsclaw studied graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design and bookbinding at North Bennet Street School. She has lived in nine states and four countries and loves traveling to see what life is like in different parts of the world. When at home, Monica quilts with her friends in the Mt. Tam Quilt Guild and teaches bookbinding classes at the San Francisco Center for the Book.

Editorial Reviews

Like Agee’s The Wall in the Middle of the Book, this makes timely commentary on the purpose of walls in current cultural discourse, and it also speaks to the universal connections of art, two premises that could have tipped into treacly sentiment but are fortunately tempered by the book’s bubbly, self-amused glee. The digital art is a riot of vibrant colors and loose geometry, with the squat, square, grumpy-looking guards distinctly different from the rounder, wide-eyed monsters, and Felix a combination of both angles and curves. This could obviously make a discussion starter about overcoming differences, but it could just as well serve as a jazzy opener to a dance party.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The message of getting to know people before you judge them comes through loud and clear with bright cheerful mixed media artwork. The text is simple and direct without being cloying or pandering. An extremely amiable picture book about acceptance and tolerance of others, and a welcome book for most shelves, this would be a great read-aloud at the beginning of the school year.”—School Library Journal

“Felix finds a shocking revelation: The monsters are not monstrous at all. . . . A gentle reminder of the danger of preconceived notions.”—Kirkus Reviews

“The soft palette and expressive faces of the characters make for a warm and inviting adventure into the unknown, and the immersive double-page spreads place readers in the midst of the action even providing a seat to enjoy a final performance. A joyful reminder of the power of breaking down barriers and banding together keytar in hand or not.”—Horn Book

From the Publisher

2020-06-16
A guard halfheartedly does his job but deep inside has a musical soul.

Felix’s job is to guard a wall and keep his side safe from the monsters on the other side. But what he really likes to do is rock out on his keytar and pretend he is in a band. None of the other guards understand his passion. Instead of wielding a spear or a shield, Felix grabs his keytar and plays “epic solos.” One day, someone joins him. Sounds of a bass guitar float over from the other side of the wall! A small, red, saucer-eared creature named Dot has been “lured…by the beautiful sounds of that portable piano machine.” The temptation to create sweet beats together is too strong—Felix jump to Dot’s side of the wall, and they jam. Felix finds a shocking revelation: The monsters are not monstrous at all. When his fellow guards come crashing in, ready to save him, Felix isn’t sure he wants to go back. In the illustrations, on Felix’s side, everything has sharp, blocklike angles (even the guards). On Dot’s side everything is rounded and smooth. Blue, thimble-shaped Felix himself is a combination of both aesthetics. The conclusion rushes toward happiness and reads a bit slapdash, but it is winsome just the same. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 47% of actual size.)

A gentle reminder of the danger of preconceived notions. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews