What about the Creek Walker Monster? by Nancy R. Myers is a compelling children’s story that is gorgeously illustrated. Young Daniel has heard stories about the Creek Walker Monster that lives in the creek behind their home and he is intrigued about it. The Monster only comes out on dark, cloudy, windy nights and there are rumors that it has eaten the bicycle of his friend’s cousin. For the six years that the family has lived in the house, his father has never heard anything about the monster and has never seen it, so he is curious, too. Daniel is excited when his father invites him to come with him to the library so they can do some research about the monster. Follow them as they go out on an adventure to discover the Monster.

This book was read to me thrice by my seven-year-old daughter and I loved the excitement on her face as she followed the characters. It is a brilliantly written and colorfully illustrated book for young readers and one that shows the place of imagination in the lives of children. The author does a wonderful job in bringing alive the world of the young and their exuberant nature in this short story, from Dylan to Lucas. The protagonist is well-developed and he is a character that young readers will adore and can relate to — realistic and fun to be with. He is curious and excited about discovering new things. Themes of friendship, adventure, fact-vs-fiction, and teamwork are explored in this beautifully written story. I enjoyed the author’s care for words and she wastes none of them, writing in a language that will engage children and enriching the reading experience with illustrations that are, in themselves, very telling.