What a delightful children's book!!

Filled with amazing illustrations [that just pop off the page] and a very relatable story that everyone, littles and adults alike, will resonate with, this book will be one littles will want to revisit again and again.

I loved this one, very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Leo Timmers, Bill Nagelkerke - Translator, and Lerner Publishing Group/Gecko Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hidden messages of fear, curiosity, and the importance of facing the unknown. The journey from apprehension to acceptance serves as a gentle reminder that things are often less frightening than they seem. The playful tone and expressive illustrations add to the book's charm, making it an enjoyable read for children and adults alike.

This is by far one of the best children's books I have read in a while. I loved the art, the story, and the message. My nephew loved making quacking and roaring sounds for the ducks and the monsters. So cute and fun!

This picture book has a compelling premise and eye-catching illustrations, but the execution is a little confusing, without a sufficiently clear payoff or message at the end. A less abrupt ending might have worked better. As it stands, this is one of those books teachers and parents can use to drive conversation and interpretation, since you have to read between the lines to fully understand the story.

The Monster in the Lake is an attention grabbing read. Perfect for teaching inferencing, cause and effect, and story elements to emerging readers. So very cute!

Very cute images! I’m sure the pop up is going to be so enjoyable for children, I think this would be very good for toddlers, preschoolers, and maybe even kinder. The story was short and sweet and great for a quick bedtime story.

There's not so much of a deeper meaning here, but I really loved this. I was smiling the whole time and adored the illustrations. I would probably keep this in my bookcase for students to flip through independently.

Legends about the monster in the lake have spread far and wide, making Eric the duck increasingly hesitant about going for a swim with his friends. The other ducks, however, are convinced the stories are entirely fictional, leading the majority of the ducks to confidently venture into the lake together. Reluctantly, Eric trails behind his companions, which gives him a better sense of exactly what is happening below the surface. Each paddle brings Eric closer to the truth, and what begins as a leisurely swim soon becomes an adventure Eric will never forget. This amusing story is especially well suited to being read aloud with children who enjoy lightly dramatic tales. Translated to English, the narrative is both succinct and approachable, focusing more on dialogue than on descriptive phrases. Though words guide the narrative, the most important elements of the book are the illustrations. Created in Leo Timmers’ iconic style, the images depict creatures and landscapes that are all true-to-life but with a whimsical twist. The characters all possess expressive, anthropomorphic faces, enhancing the ease with which young readers can empathize with the story. Additionally, unexpected characters make clever appearances as the book progresses. With each turn of the page, the prominent illustrations engage readers in the narrative, often inspiring readers to actively participate in the storytelling at choice moments. Funny, unexpected, and highly engaging, this book is an enjoyable addition to Storytime collections for preschool-aged readers.

Wonderful illustrations help add to the curious mystery and hilarity of the story. The concise and engaging plot would work great for story time.

Very fun and entertaining illustrations. I always love Leo Timmers' books, but I feel like I was missing a part of the story. Maybe it would be better physically than on digital, and maybe it's just more simple than his books tend to be. Not sure! I think this book will be a hit with the Storytime/Preschool crowd since it's so short and sweet, but I do feel like it's missing some depth (no pun intended.)

The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL and the story is cute. I'm sure many little ones will enjoy this book.

Poor Eric the Duck is so frightened of going in the lake because of the monster. His three friends insist it is just a story, but they soon learn that they were wrong! Illustrated in bright colors against the dark lake backdrop, readers assume that the "monsters" are a welcoming and friendly bunch. This will be a favorite read-a-loud for sure. It could pair well with "The Quacken" and other silly, spooky books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy.

This book was funny and engaging! The whole time my kids kept guessing what would happen next to the ducks.

Loved the illustrations and the story is cute. The ducks go for a swim in a lake and you just never know who you might run into! A cute light hearted read.

The Monster in the Lake is a sweet, short, colorful read!
Eric’s three fellow duck friends want to journey across a new pond. Eric warns his friends there are monsters in it but his friends won’t listen. Of course, Eric is right, but thankfully the monsters in this story are cute and friendly, and Eric’s friends remain none the wiser.
Thank you to Lerner Publishing Group and NetGalley for an early release copy of this book!
The Monster in the Lake releases September 9th, 2025-mark your calendar!

Good fun, this picture book is great for read-alouds. The children will see what is happening before the characters. The illustrations are amusing and clear. I'll be looking for this one for story time.

This is a cute, short, funny book. I can see this being a hit during a storytime or as a bedtime story.

The Monster in the Lake

Four ducks explore the wider world of the big lake but must face the challenge of facing the rumored inhabitants of this larger body of water. These illustrations are fabulous. These are fun and goofy monsters sure to get a laugh from the reader.

Children and caretakers are sure to enjoy this picture book. It is a perfect pick for a storytime!

This is a story about a little duck named Eric who gets invited to the lake by his friends. The lake that he's heard has a monster! He begrudgingly follows his friends to the lake, worrying the whole way. Does Eric find a monster? Are they the most fun, silly and fabulous monster ever? Maybe. Or maybe the monster in the lake is "just a story". This is a great little story for your young kids that teaches them that getting out of their comfort zone, and facing their fears might just end up being a real fun time. Thank you to the author, Leo Timmers and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Kids will love this book! Four ducks go to the lake, but Eric says I heard there was a monster and the other ducks say that was just a story. The three go in the lake, but Eric waits. Then Eric sees a “monster” who’s smiling and decides to go down below where they have fun. When Eric comes the other ducks wondered what happened to Eric, and ask did a monster get you? . Eric answers no, it’s just a story. What a great book about confidence.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.