Ava the Monster Slayer

An Illinois Reads Pick (K–2) 2017

Don’t underestimate Ava just because she’s “cute” and wears “adorable glasses”—she’s really a fierce monster slayer. And when her beloved Piggy is left in the dryer in the basement, Ava knows she’ll have to face the ferocious monsters lurking in the dark if she wants to rescue her favorite stuffed animal. So she puts on her brother’s superhero cape, grips his sword tight, puts on her pink rain boots and sparkly princess crown, and creeps downstairs.

Not even the roar of the greenest and hairiest monster is going to stop this spunky girl. Even though she’s scared and the monsters smell terrible, Ava is determined to rescue Piggy. Ross Felten’s brisk, sketch-like illustrations help bring energy and humor to this story of bravery and loyalty. Young readers will relate to Ava’s mission and delight in her victory over the monsters. Ava the Monster Slayer is sure to appeal to children worried about monsters in their own homes and kids devoted to their own stuffed animals.

Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Lisa Maggiore earned her master’s in social service administration from the University of Chicago. She then leaped from her twenty-year career as a social worker to write her first picture book, Ava the Monster Slayer. Lisa loves to travel, watch “da Bears” (do not bother her on Sundays during the NFL season), and be silly with her family. She lives with her husband and four children in Chicago, Illinois.

Ross Felten paints, draws, sketches, illustrates, illuminates, deviates, puts things together, and tears things apart. Aside from art, he is passionate about soccer, music, and making his girls laugh. Ross lives near Chicago, Illinois.

"Perhaps a tad dark for the preschool crowd, Maggiore and Felten's treatment of this familiar story theme not only overcomes a fear of the dark but also kicks it in the head. Nicely done."—School Library Journal

"A triumphant sally in the long-running war against closet and other domestic monsters, with these mildly scary monsters not slain but thoroughly routed." —Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Ava the Monster Slayer: Cousin Power

"The tale is just a little scary, and the illustrations perfectly heighten the fear, fierceness, and love with atmospheric darkness, scary monsters, and the right amount of color to lighten things up. Ava and Sophia marshal their resources, manage their fear, and save their stuffies. Works fine as a stand-alone story." —School Library Journal

"The combination of tenderness for stuffed companions and the fierce bravery required to rescue them is fun and refreshing. . .  Light entertainment for kids who like drama." —Kirkus Reviews

"Ava is a role model for children in that she knows her worth, and allows her experience, best instincts, and available resources to guide her through challenges, and follows through on her actions. Ava the Monster Slayer: Cousin Power succeeds on many levels and would be an engaging addition to any child’s book collection." —Susan Gaspar, Windy City Reviews