The Mask can be considered a children’s picture book, but I think it is much more than that. It shares a profound message to never judge a person by their looks, but it does so through a dark fantasy story that is beautifully creepy, with a seductively ominous atmosphere and a gorgeously grotesque protagonist. This is an intelligent and philosophical story that can be read by children, but I think will truly be appreciated by adults, because of some of the adult themes found throughout the story, but mostly because of its avant-garde storytelling.

This book reminds me of Alvin Schwartz collection of short children’s stories “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”, but taken to a new level for middle grade readers. The art throughout this book is superb and does a fantastic job of setting the eerie atmosphere in the story that matches the feel of the book.

I found my self entranced with the story. Our protagonist, Mil, finds a mask that makes him beautiful but at a cost that is only found out later. I thought I knew where this story was going, but I was wrong. Not completely wrong, but wrong in that I could not have guessed what the mask could have wanted. The ending to the novel is…. well it leaves you on a cliff hanger, but it is absolutely perfect.

I’m glad I read this book towards the end of 2021 so that I could compare it to the rest of the books I have read this year and appropriately say that this is one of the most striking and thought-provoking children’s books I have read this year.

The Mask is a unique and thoughtful picture book with gorgeous illustrations that will leave you pondering long after you’ve closed the book.

Pages: 48 | ASIN: B09J16W8DR