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Description
When orphan Elsie hears about the mysterious Ice Monster, a woolly mammoth found at the North Pole, she's determined to discover more! A chance encounter brings Elsie face to face with the creature, and sparks the adventure of a lifetime.
Quick Summary
Elsie, a feisty orphan in early 1900s London, hears about the legendary Ice Monster a gigantic woolly mammoth that's just been uncovered at the North Pole and she's determined to see it for herself. What starts as a daring escape from her grim orphanage turns into a wild Arctic quest filled with frosty dangers, a lovable (and slightly ridiculous) circus crew, and a mad scientist who thinks the mammoth can be revived for a world tour. The story is packed with the kind of silly, over-the-top humor David Walliams is known for, but it also tugs at your heartstrings as Elsie discovers what it really means to have a family, even if that family is a massive, shaggy beast. Kids who love a mix of action, animal magic, and jokes that make them giggle out loud will find a lot to love here, and the quick pace (about 44,000 words) makes it a great choice for reluctant readers who want something fun but not too long. Parents will appreciate that the scares are mild just the occasional icy cliffhanger and a looming, prehistoric creature while the emotional beats teach empathy and resilience without being preachy. If you've enjoyed Walliams's earlier adventures like *The Demon Dentist* or the animal-centric charm of *The Wild Robot*, you'll feel right at home with *The Ice Monster*.