Mac Park, Lava Beast (Boy vs Beast #8), Larrikin House, Updated edition April 2025, 64 pp., RRP $9.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781922804969
Mac Park is the pen name of prolific children’s author, Louise Park, who is highly regarded for writing easy-to-read children’s adventure series. Her popular Boy vs Beast series, which was originally published in 2011, is now being refreshed for a new generation of beginner readers who love fast paced action fantasy stories. The updated edition of Lava Beast, the eighth book in the series, was recently released.
The prologue helpfully introduces the main character, Kai, who is one of the young guardians training to become a Border Master and tasked with defending Earth from the beasts of Beastium. In Lava Beast, Kai goes on a perilous journey to the Border Land of Volcan to save Earth from Lava Beast’s attack of lava and ash. Kai’s success depends on quick thinking, fast reactions and enormous courage to battle this ferocious beast.
Lava Beast has all the imaginary and creative elements of an action-packed fantasy story, skilfully condensed into a short bridging novel designed for newly independent readers. Short sentences, large text, illustrations that break up the text and a few pages in comic book format, make it an excellent option for encouraging emerging readers to read independently.
Park also cleverly appeals to this age group by evoking a computer game like context by weaving in concepts of earning rewards, following automated instructions, using computer-generated resources, and even a helpful robotic dog.
With beastly monsters and action-adventure themes, Boy vs Beast has a masculine feel and is more likely to appeal to boys than girls. Lava Beast’s fast paced plot and easy reading format make it an excellent option for beginner readers, aged 6–8 years old, or older reluctant readers.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz
