Here’s another typically funny, clever story from Leo Timmers.
Our hero is Eric, a duck, who is heading to the lake with his friends. Eric is worried about the monster in the lake, but his friends reassure him that it’s all just stories. Readers however have the advantage of being able to see above and below the water, thanks to glorious split pages.
Something has surprised the frogs and fish we can see in the lake – turn the page and, as Eric’s confident friends paddle off untroubled, sure enough, a monster swims into view. It’s a monster in size, but as the story unfolds and Eric swims down into the lake with this huge, smiling, beribboned creature, we experience it very differently.
As the other three ducks swim on, oblivious, Eric is having the most wonderful adventures under the water, as we see in an absolutely splendid gatefold which shows us not just the monster but all its many unusual friends too. Perhaps they’ll encounter the ‘monster’ on the last page too …
There’s so much to enjoy in this story, and so much fun to be had diving below the surface. Let’s all be more like Eric, embracing our fears and ready to be surprised!
Four ducks are tired of their small pond and set out for an adventure in the big lake. Walking at the back, Eric isn’t sure. He’s heard there’s a monster in the lake, but his friends don’t believe a word of that old story! Eric reluctantly tags along, only to make a startling discovery and find himself in a wonderful underwater adventure.
This large-format picture book features a detailed fold-out underwater world of mechanical marvels and sea creatures. The story of a nervous duck who finds courage and the over-confidence of groups will resonate with anyone who’s nervously dipped a toe in unknown waters.
With his signature bold illustrations, layered textures, and playful visual storytelling, Timmers crafts a story about fear, curiosity, and the courage to look beyond first impressions.
The Monster in the Lake will captivate children ages 3–7, offering a perfect read-aloud for families and classrooms seeking stories about facing fears and embracing the unknown with wonder.
Leo Timmers is a leading Belgian author and illustrator, whose many successful picture books have been published in 32 languages. He has a large following as one of Belgium's pre-eminent picture book artists.
Born in 1970, he is trained in Graphic Design and illustrates for Belgian magazines and papers as well as illustrating picture books. He started writing his own stories gradually.
In 2000 he received a Bookfeather award for his illustrations in Happy with me and he won the annual Children’s and Youth jury Award in both 2005 and 2006. In 2007 he won with his picture book Who's driving? which has been translated into twelve languages.
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