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mat_tobin's review
4.0
Part of the Spooky Surprise series (of which [b:Captain Toby|21352659|Captain Toby|Satoshi Kitamura|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394325397l/21352659._SX50_.jpg|40657422], [b:The Hairy Toe|36139058|The Hairy Toe|Amelia Rosato|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503929423l/36139058._SX50_.jpg|57739953] and [b:Teeny Tiny|36139045|Teeny Tiny|Amelia Rosato|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503929282l/36139045._SX50_.jpg|57739933] also are a part of), Kitamura's little picturebook follows Lily as she takes her hound, Nicky, for a walk along the town's streets at night.
Lily isn't worried though, she knows Nicky will protect her and so he does! Unbeknownst to our protagonist (if she really is the main character) we watch as Nicky fends off ghouls and monster that leap out of the streets and billboards.
When she gets home to her parents she speaks of her walk in a cheerful manner oblivious to the story that her companion is desperate to share. As with much of Kitamura's work, there is a bridge between realism and fantasy and both humour and message, if there truly is any, is subtle enough to invite pleasant returns. Children will love spotting the creepy denizens alongside Nicky laughing at the fact that Lily is ignorant to those imagined (?) dangers.
Lily isn't worried though, she knows Nicky will protect her and so he does! Unbeknownst to our protagonist (if she really is the main character) we watch as Nicky fends off ghouls and monster that leap out of the streets and billboards.
When she gets home to her parents she speaks of her walk in a cheerful manner oblivious to the story that her companion is desperate to share. As with much of Kitamura's work, there is a bridge between realism and fantasy and both humour and message, if there truly is any, is subtle enough to invite pleasant returns. Children will love spotting the creepy denizens alongside Nicky laughing at the fact that Lily is ignorant to those imagined (?) dangers.
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