Nessie - by Ilse de Keyzer (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"A magical moment, enhanced by strongly atmospheric illustrations." --Kirkus Reviews

A CBC's September 2024 Hot Off the Press book!

Rhona's uncle Allister comes up with a very original idea to catch Nessie, the famous Loch Ness monster. But . . . does the monster even exist? Uncle Allister thinks so, but Rhona has her doubts. Until she suddenly sees and hears strange things . . . Maybe Nessie exists after all?

Set against the backdrop of the Scottish loch, this atmospheric narrative transports readers to a realm where legends come to life. However, this book offers more than just a thrilling adventure--it's a gateway to exploration and imagination. Through the discovery of folklore and legend, readers are introduced to the rich tapestry of Scottish mythology. Whether nestled in the pages of a book or weaving tales of their own, readers are encouraged to embrace the magic of storytelling and embark on adventures of their own.

Dive into the mysterious depths of Loch Ness in a tale brimming with intrigue and wonder. For children ages 6 years and up who love pancakes.

Review Quotes

Does the Loch Ness monster eat pancakes? Young Rhona is about to find out. Her beloved, if eccentric, uncle Allister's plan to lure the legendary creature out of hiding hinges on the sweet breakfast treat--surely the monster won't be able to resist Allister's pancakes? When Rhona accompanies him out onto the loch in his fishing boat, she finds herself in just the right spot for a wondrous encounter. Martens sets the stage properly with misty views of a boat just large enough to have an enclosed galley, floating over kaleidoscopic wavelets and shadows that underscore senses of great depth and otherworldly realms just beyond sight. Fortuitously, Rhona is alone on the deck when the Loch's immense but peaceable resident actually does rear up, close enough to lock eyes with Rhona and share a moment of intimate connection before slipping away while the child distracts her oblivious uncle. Allister has long been a believer and has frequently regaled his niece with tales of sightings, but in the wake of her questions about whether monsters are real (and even if they are, why anyone would want to catch one), he eventually admits that perhaps she's right to be skeptical. Attentive readers of this tale, translated from Dutch, will note that while Rhona now believes in monsters, her belief that they deserve their freedom remains unwavering. She and her uncle are light-skinned. A magical moment, enhanced by strongly atmospheric illustrations.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Ilse De Keyzer (1980) from Tielt-Winge, Belgium is a secondary school teacher of Dutch, history, and religion. While she enjoys writing various types of stories, she has more recently been crafting humorous animal tales. In Capibarry, for example, the owners of a capybara, the largest rodent in the world, think they've let a dog into their house. Ilse is the proud owner of a dachshund, who was the inspiration for her Teckel Tokkel ("Dachshund Tokkel") series.

Dana Martens (1983) grew up in Zonhoven, Belgium, in a beautiful wooded area that has inspired her illustrations. Her two aunts, both artists, instilled an artistic passion in Dana from a young age. After earning bachelor's degrees in economics and bio-aesthetics, Dana became a schoolteacher. For 14 years, she combined this job with being a makeup artist instructor. When her friend Ilse De Keyzer told Dana that she was looking for an illustrator who could match the style of her story about the famous Loch Ness monster, the pair decided to travel to Scotland together. There, Dana managed to capture the incredible natural beauty through illustration.