Where is Cheeky Monster?

By Mike Lucas & Heidi McKinnon

Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray

Where is Cheeky Monster? is a joyful, interactive read for the 2 – 5 year old end of picture book appreciators. The enticing, reflective cover invites the reader straight into a game where they’ll meet every other kind of monster except the elusive cheeky variety. This is a colourful romp, with rhyming text, reminiscent of Where Is the Green Sheep? It concludes, however, with an original twist that will have kids in stitches, and likely encourage re-reads and sharing with friends or siblings.

Each monster on the road to the big reveal showcases an emotion or relatable childhood experience.

Happy Monster’s always dancing. Grumpy Monster’s in a mood. Healthy Monster eats her veggies. Fussy Monster picks his food. 

But where is Cheeky Monster?

If you choose to make this story a teaching moment, it provides ample opportunity for discussing feelings, or ways of understanding the different moods, habits, likes or dislikes of those around us. In a shared reading space, there is fun to be had with imitating the facial expressions or postures of the different monsters, too.

And the special twist (spoiler alert!) the Cheeky Monster is, of course, the reader – who can see themselves in the mirror on the final spread. This mirror can then be used for further facial expression fun.

Puffin Books, 2024

Heidi McKinnon

Mike Lucas

Lara Cain Gray’s book The Grown Up’s Guide To Picture Books is being published in September this year.