LEAF - In Search of Ramune ***Guest Review***

A review of Leaf

By Drakles

Leaf is the first book written by Judge Mungo (who is also Nodpot of the year 2006 and an award winning actor).

It is the story of Leaf, a monkey who lives in Arborea, which is a lovely happy place but lacking in the excitement and adventure that Leaf craves. However, things change for him when he witnesses a brutal slaying, his best friend, Rainbow, is kidnapped and he is given an urgent quest which, if left undone, will lead to the destruction of the Kingdom.

So there is Leaf, alone in a strange hostile world, with no idea where he is heading, where they’ve taken Rainbow, indeed, with nothing except unbounded confidence in himself and a bag of strange fruits given him by a dying bear. And so his adventures begin and Leaf, true to his brave resourceful nature, is not too fazed by all the strange, exciting, dangerous and near impossible situations he finds himself in.

Rainbow, after her initial trauma, seems to have landed on her feet a bit more than Leaf, but this is deceptive and it turns out she is just as deeply embroiled in danger. So the fate of the whole kingdom rests on the slender (and shapely) shoulders of the 2 little Arborean monkeys.

This is an excellent book. Extremely well written, it engages the whole attention of the reader from the word Go. The characters are all endearing, the adventure is engrossing and the kingdom captivating. There is never a dull moment in the kaleidoscope of magic and colour that is Leaf.

Suitable for toys of any age, it will also be appreciated by humans, young and old alike. Finally there are some great minor characters, the best being a wonderful pig and duck, who really deserve a book of their own.