No Such Thing as Nessie!

K-Gr 2—Finlay, a dinosaur-loving boy, is curious about the infamous Loch Ness monster. His Gran, who saw "Nessie" as a small girl, plans a monster hunt. After numerous false sightings, his sister, Sarah, tells Finlay that there is no such thing as the Loch Ness monster and Gran provides Finlay's only encouragement for finding the elusive creature. On the last day of their holiday, Finlay and Gran picnic near Urquhart Castle and just when it seems as if Finlay has lost all hope, the mythical beast makes an appearance. Playful, detailed illustrations fill each mixed-media spread. Children will love spotting the Nessie-shaped objects that appear throughout the book and appreciate the Scottish landscape. Readers who are not deeply interested in dinosaurs or the Loch Ness monster may lose interest in the story, as it is a bit wordy for a storytime group.—Krista Welz, North Bergen High School, NJ