'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Review: Mookie Vs the Big Scary

Mooki is a cute, brave and adventurous alien from the Moon. He’s good friends with Cindy (a human girl) and Ralph (Cindy’s pet doggy who sometimes accidently wees on things).

In Mookie Vs The Big Scary, Mookie arrives on Earth in his spaceship, ready for action. 

He wants to climb an EPIC mountain, but Cindy’s not sure. She heard there’s a big scary on the mountain and doesn’t think they should go.

But Mookie is brave and daring. And with a little convincing, he persuades Cindy and Ralph to face the unknown.

Up, up, up the mountain they climb, meeting a whole cast of curious creatures as they go. Everyone is BIG and everyone seems SCARY, but are they THE big scary? The one that everyone seems to fear. Is the big scary even real?

This is a fun and fast-paced junior fiction novel for kids. From snowboarding champion Scotty James, with Steve Worland and Dave Atze, it inspires kids to be courageous and curious, even when they’re faced with big unknowns.

In interviews, James has said Mookie symbolizes shooting for the stars, facing fears and being brave, things he’s had to do throughout his sporting career. He’s also revealed Mookie is his childhood nickname, which creates a special connection between author and reader.

With less words and more pictures on every page, this is an easy and engaging read for kids. They’ll love the quirkiness and silliness that features throughout the story, as well as the strong characters who support each other on their journey.

My 8-year-old daughter said, 'it was a really, really good story. I loved the adventure and funny parts. I love that Mookie is from space, and that he’s cool and interesting.'

Dave Atze’s illustrations are funky and fun, with pops of red featuring throughout. Atze brings the story to life with big expressions and lots of detail.

This is a fun read for kids who love action, adventure and cool characters. I’m looking forward to seeing who Mookie verses next.

Title: Mookie Vs the Big Scary
Author: Scotty James with Steve Worland
Illustrator: Dave Atze
Publisher: Penguin, $15.99
Publication Date: 13 August 2024
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761347405
For ages: 8 - 10
Type: Junior Fiction