Monti and Leo: A Newcomer in Pocketville

Monti and Leo #1

by Sylvie Kantorovitz

A charming early reader in graphic form draws on the classic theme of friendship to show that being new—or different—doesn’t have to mean being lonely.

Pocketville is a small town, set in its ways, and the arrival of a stranger causes a stir. Monti the mole is stunned one morning to find Leo the lizard hogging his special reading rock. When Monti visits the bakery and the library, he learns that the last cinnamon roll has been purchased, and the book he was waiting for has been checked out. What’s a fastidious mole to do? When Monti confronts Leo, the newcomer turns out to be agreeable in the extreme, and friendship is a given. Now to convince the town’s cantankerous baker, Ms. Sheep, to stop turning everyone against Leo. Together, Monti and Leo hatch a plot that will have Ms. Sheep singing Leo’s praises in no time. This reassuring tale of friendship against the odds from the creator of the graphic memoir Sylvie draws on the author’s experiences as an immigrant and will appeal to anyone who has struggled to fit in in a new place.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, Graphic Novels Manga, Sequential Art, Middle Grade

80 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Sylvie Kantorovitz was born in Casablanca and grew up in France. She is the author-illustrator of many picture books. This is her first graphic novel. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with her partner, author-illustrator Barbara Lehman.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute younger graphic novel about a mole and lizard who become friends in a town called Pocketville. This was extremely cute and I absolutely adored the characters and artwork and the inclusion on the importance of acceptance and making new friends. I can’t wait to pick up the next in the series next year.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if Frog and Toad were told in a graphic novel format? You just might end up with a story like this one about Monti who has his daily routine until one day he meets Leo who is new in town. The two bond almost immediately over their similar interests. Not everyone is excited by the newcomer. Some see Leo as a stranger with different ideas. Can Monti and Leo become friends? Will the other citizens of Pocketville welcome Leo?
If you like or liked stories,

[Kailyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sweet. We need more stories like these.

[p33€3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

si os gustais pues liaros

[teddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

obsessed

[Lizzy Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

made me actually LOL

[Simone Hagemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denne var en fin lille overraskelse af cuteness.

[Keelin Rita]

What a sweet little graphic novel. Very short and easy to get through. Very much a mundane, simple pleasures in life kind of vibe.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Life is pretty perfect in Pocketville for Monti Mole. He has his routine, which includes a visit to Mrs. Sheep's bakery to get a treat, a trip to the library for reading material, and a brief spell of communing with nature by sitting on his favorite rock by a river while enjoys the fruits of his first two outings! One day, there is a buzz in the bakery about someone new in town. This, of course, has to be bad, but it gets worse when Monti finds an interloper sitting on HIS rock. He silently fumes, and thinks of ways he can challenge this outside. The next day, when he finds out that the newcomer has bought the last two cinnamon rolls and checked out the book he needs, he is fully prepared to give the meddling lizard what for. However, Leo introduces himself, offers Monti a cinnamon roll, and promises to finish the book that night so that Monti can read it. Mrs. Sheep makes negative comments about Leo when he suggests that she offer sliced bread, but Monti stands up for his new friend. Not only that, but he introduces Leo to his friends, and the two plan a talent show to try to get into everyone's good graces. Mrs. Sheep is flattered when they ask her to sing, and she uses her influence to entice others to participate. In the end, Pocketville is a little different, but sometimes change makes things better.

This is roughly the size of an I Can Read book, and has a similar level of text complexity. The difference is in how the illustrations are arranged. They aren't quite in a comic book style, but there is some of this style in the way the pictures are arranged. The text is in about a 14 point font, so it's perfect practice for readers who are not quite ready for chapter books, but almost there.

The illustrations have a clean line, and a fresh and modern feel to the pictures. The color palette includes a lot of soft teal, which might just be the color of the 2020s! The animals have the stylized feel of Marc Brown's Arthur characters, with a very human physique but animal snouts.

I can see this book (which has a sequel, A Mystery in Pocketville, out in February of 2025) being compared to Lobel's Frog and Toad or even Marshall's George and Martha, and there are some similarities in the reading level and general themes of friendship. Those classic tales always struck me as being overly philosophical and allegorical, which is something that adults certainly enjoy. I liked the straight forward style of this a bit better, especially where young readers are concerned, and would hand this to fans of other early chapter books like Petrick's One Cool Duck, Sherry's Fish Feud, or Braddock's Peanut, Butter, and Cracker.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monti Mole is happy with his life in Pocketville. He loves going to the bakery and the library in the morning, and then sitting on his favorite rock to read. But one day as he approaches the rock, someone else is sitting there – there, in his spot. Others in town have noticed this green stranger, and all are annoyed with the newcomer because he does things differently. It takes Monti a few days to work up the courage to approach him, but finds that Leo is a perfectly nice lizard/person. In fact, they become friends. Now, how will Monti convince the rest of Pocketville to accept Leo?

Short chapters describe a bucolic, peaceful town inhabited by various human-like animals. The appealing digital art in large panels with fresh crisp colors tells the story beautifully. However, it quickly becomes evident that the denizens of the town are less than welcoming of someone new, and that becomes the dramatic tension in the story. Mrs. Sheep, especially, is a set-in-her-ways bakery owner who does not like change. When Monti and Leo figure out a way to stroke her vanity, she changes, and then the whole town embraces the exciting new ways: sliced bread! a talent show! I laughed at chapter 4’s title: “Pocketville Has Talent.” There’s a map on the endpapers which allows readers to imagine Monti’s daily perambulations. Kids will love the characters as they grow and change in this sweet book of friendship.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: There were four things Monti Mole loved to do in the morning. One, he welcomed the day. Two, he stopped by the Pocketville Bakery. Three, he visited the Pocketville Library. And four, before heading home for lunch, Monti settled on his favorite rock by the river and gazed peacefully at the water. It was a perfect routine! Until one day...

Premise/plot: Monti Mole's perfect life--perfect routine--is disrupted when Leo Lizard moves to town. But can change actually be a great thing? Is his life actually improved by Leo's arrival? Could Leo be the BEST BEST BEST friend Monti never knew he needed? Not everyone in town is thrilled with the newcomer. Some people are giving him the cold shoulder (if you will), can Monti help the others in town welcome Leo?

This is an early chapter book, the first in a new series. It is told partly in graphic novel form. In other words, highly illustrated chapter book where the narrative is mostly (though not exclusively) told in dialogue--speech bubbles. The panels are well spaced and not confusing. I enjoyed this one very much. I would definitely be interested in reading more in the series. The book celebrates friendship--going above and beyond for a friend.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Lobel's Frog and Toad series, Monti and Leo meet when Leo moves to Pocketville. But things don't go well at first when Monti discovers Leo sitting on his special rock. Criticism from a local shopkeeper doesn't help. But when Monti confronts Leo and Leo turns out to be delightfully friendly, Monti's annoyance softens and they become friends. But the shopkeeper continues to be critical and rude to Leo. In an effort to encourage the town to be more welcoming, Leo and Monti plan a talent show. But will Mrs. Sheep ruin this too? With appealing characters, attractive illustrations, and relatable plot lines, young readers are bound to fall in love with Monti and Leo. I especially loved how Monti uses his persuasive skills to convince Mrs. Sheep to give Leo and his new ideas a fair shake. A winning new series for beginning readers. Recommended.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book about friendship, change and getting along with your neighbors. Monti is used to his routine of getting up, going to the bakery and going to the library every day. He has a tradition of eating lunch on his favorite rock. But when a new person comes to town and starts taking his rock and messing up that routine, Monti is unhappy. Most of his neighbors are too. They like things just so. Monti resolves to stand up to this stranger and tell him exactly how things work in Pocketville. But when he does, he realizes they have more in common than not. The trouble is, will they be able to convince the town that change is sometimes a good thing and that new ideas are cool too?

Mia’s Year of Books: Days 91 and 92.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a newcomer arrives in town, Monti is initially outraged that his routine will be thrown off, but as he gets to know Leo and realizes that the townsfolk haven't made him feel welcome, Monti comes up with a new plan.

This book is very cute. The illustrations are a bit wonky, but the plot has a lot of heart and a positive message. There's a clear antagonist, but I love the way that everyone figures out how to be kind no matter the circumstances, and the ending is touching. I might get the sequel.

[Dest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book gets at the heart of belonging. Have you ever felt resistant to change? Or irritated by someone new disrupting your routine? Monti Mole is wary of newcomer Leo Lizard and he's not the only resident of Pocketville who feels that way. But once Monti gets to know Leo a little he decides to help him win over the rest of the town.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the quietest, gentlest and most charming stories I’ve read. It’s like being somewhere where all that matters is taking your time. This is about friendship and inclusion; embracing others; how new things can make your life better. Gorgeously done.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new transitional graphic novel has big Arnold Lobel vibes in the best way. Without over moralizing, this book teaches good lessons about kindness and friendship through the eyes of the anthropomorphic animals in the town of Pocketville. The muted illustrations and their vintage feel are especially welcome.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

👦🏻 reviews: cute LOL graphic novel about healthy competition, friendship and having someone similar to your interest. The graphic is definitely for elementary leveled kids but the story is for all ages who simply love a good book.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet graphic novel that is aimed at early readers; children around six to eight years of age.

If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:

https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...

[Lauren Stohler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monti and Leo feels timeless. It has a sweet-salty sort of flavor: Monti and Leo are absolute sweethearts (albeit not without some coming-around), and some characters NEVER learn (looking at you, Mrs. Sheep)...but this is life!

Also, the illustrations are charming!

[Margaret D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book with a strong (but gentle) lesson about inclusion and friendship. It's led to some great conversations with my kids. The pictures are sweet and the dialog is approachable!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early reader told in graphic form about friendship and acceptance. The story was very sweet and teaches an importance lesson about judging others and letting others influence your decision. I have to admit I didn’t love the illustrations.

[Library To-Go]

11/22/23 Play and Learn story time - JC

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond adorable! Great message about acceptance without being heavy-handed, fun plot lines, and interesting characters.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stark contrast is drawn between a quiet, but welcoming resident in Pocketville, and a loud, selfish, simplistic stirrer of division.

Not irrelevant to our times.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice first graphic novel. Some big real-world issues tackled.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story with a great message about friendship

[Snotty Icky · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is so cuteeee i love monti and leo!!! sylvie kanyorovitz is my new favorite kids author and illustrator. was very excited to get this for my library <3

[Spring Dugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so cute I love it

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. What a quiet and lovely book.