Lyli wants to know what's over the mountains that surround her crowded city. She's not scared of the ferocious Stone-Muncher that is rumoured to live in a tunnel nearby. She doesn't believe in monsters!

But when Lyli sets out on her expedition, she finds a lot more than she bargained for. Were the legends true all along? And what's really over the mountains?

A lively story of friendship, adventure and extending your horizons.

Reviews

Children are naturally inquisitive and it is this inquisitiveness that motivates Lyli to search for a hidden, secret tunnel through the mountain to find out what lies on the other side.

When Lyli and her cat, Tyki go exploring and stumble on the entrance to the tunnel they are not sure what to expect. Legend says that the Green Stone-Muncher that will gobble up anything, created the secret tunnel.

However, when the child and the monster meet they are both in for a surprise. Monsters are usually portrayed in children’s books as scary creatures but in this one the monster is definitely friendly and helpful. Fear turns to friendship and as a result everyone in the town benefits, as does the monster.

As the narrative unfolds, the beautiful watercolour illustrations combined with collage connect the reader with the changing setting and Lyli’s emotions. The visual representation of the monster is particularly interesting as is the contrast of dark and pastel shades to accentuate the changing emotions and settings.

This gentle story is about inquisitiveness, adventure and friendship.

– Margaret Warner, Buzz Words

Celine has given this story a real fable feel; even though it is brand new, it seems like something you might have read as a child.

In the fantasy land of Motika the city is surrounded by dense crystal mountain ranges which are impenetrable.  This means the city is highly concentrated and buildings are tall with little space to spare. 

Lyli longs to explore the other side of the ranges, even with tales of a scary creature with a ravenous appetite. Undeterred, she sets off to find a secret tunnel. Things are not always as they are portrayed in stories, as Lyli finds out when she comes face to face with the Stone-Muncher.

The illustrations are unique and unusual with a combination of collage, pencil and other media.  I believe Lyli Meets the Stone-Muncher would be appealing to young girls in particular who have an interest in fairy tales, and those with the creativity to create their own fantasy land inspired by Celine Eimann could find themselves busily creating.

A little hero for fable lovers.

– Angela Hall, Bug in a Book

Undeterred by tales of the dreadful Stone Muncher who lives under the mountains, little Lyli, with her cat Tyli, seeks a way through the crystal mountains which encircle her city, to see what is on the other side. She meets the unexpectedly shy and lonely Stone Muncher, and together they find a way to help the city and its people to move to new pastures.

With some frightening images from its charcoal, shadowy endpapers to the violently green Stone-Muncher, to the grotesque, black silhouettes of the surging townspeople, this book may not appeal to all children. Furthermore, the minimal plot of the overcrowded and ever-expanding city is ecologically questionable, as illustrated on the last page.

– CM, Reading Time