Margarash – Mark Riddle, illustrated by Tim Miller, Enchanted Lion Books, (9781592702169), 2016
Format: Hardcover picture book
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5++
What did you like about the book? Collin collects coins. “His favorite coin, which was always in his pocket, was a magic coin that turned from a silver quarter into a golden dollar, if you knew the trick.” Collin’s favorite place to look and find coins was the couch where they had been lost, falling from someone’s pocket. Collin was aware that searching in the couch was, however, very dangerous because “down… down… down, in the deep dark cave that lies below the cushions and spring of your couch, dwells Margarash.” Collin made fun of this monster legend until the monster grabs his arm and pulls him down into his lair inside the couch. Margarash has a huge pile of coins that he has collected. He makes a cage for Collin and locks him in it. Poor Collin cannot escape. But Collin manages to outwit Margarash to win his freedom although he has to give up his magic coin to do so. And then the wonderful twist! The illustrations by Tim Miller are very unique, sparse in odd, muted tones befitting the insides of a sofa. This is a gem, not to be missed.
Anything you didn’t like about it? A perfect book!
To whom would you recommend this book? This would make a fabulous read aloud for 1st – 3rd graders who would probably like to hear it multiple times. It reads like a modern-day fairy tale though it has the feeling of age about it: children confronting and outsmarting monsters – and the best part- befriending monsters.
Who should buy this book? All public libraries, child-care centers and lower elementary school libraries
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes!
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Moderator, Youth Services Book Review
Date of review: 9/18/2016
Youth Services Book Review 
Pingback: Our first review! – mark tells tales