Literary Executive Review: Norma Fleagane, Sneaky the Hairy Mountain Monster: How I Lost My Parents
by ReadersMagnet | November 26, 2025 | Literary Executive Review | 0 Comments
Norma Fleagane’s Sneaky the Hairy Mountain Monster: How I Lost My Parents presents itself as a gentle, curiosity-sparking children’s story that builds on the appeal of an unusual character: Sneaky, a three-eyed green monster who lives alone deep in the woods. Based on the materials provided, including the cover, interior illustrations, and official synopsis, this book appears to be part of a continuing series about the character, written with the intention of helping young readers ask questions, wonder, and imagine. In this installment, Fleagane introduces Blake and Makayla, two children whose spring break visit to their grandparents sets the stage for their eventual encounter with Sneaky. While the pages provided show only the early portion of the story, they establish the tone, pacing, and visual world that the rest of the book builds upon.
From the standpoint of design and illustration, the cover conveys the book’s kid-friendly tone right away. The bold, stylized, and easily readable title font complements the mysterious subtitle, “How I Lost My Parents.” Young readers are drawn to illustrator Jasmine Mills’ use of vivid, saturated colors. The portrayal of Sneaky, who is big, furry, green, and amiable-looking, eschews frightening characteristics in favor of approachability. His three eyes attract attention without seeming menacing, which is consistent with the author’s focus on curiosity as opposed to fear. The characters are surrounded by woodland animals, which adds to the sense of a secure and exciting setting.
Inside the book, the illustrations continue this warm visual style. Pages 1 through 7 show Blake and Makayla in everyday childhood scenes — clipping school pictures at the kitchen table, decorating Easter eggs with family, running outside to play, and chasing a rolling soccer ball down a hill. These scenes establish normalcy before the children venture farther into the woods later in the story. The art uses soft outlines and textures, with foliage that fills much of the background. The repetition of woodland areas, particularly the tall, smooth-barked trees appearing across several pages, creates a consistent sense of place that prepares readers for the forest setting where Sneaky lives.
In terms of writing style, Fleagane’s approach is straightforward and accessible for early readers. The text is placed in rectangular blocks at the bottom of each illustrated page, ensuring visual balance. Sentences are clear, descriptive, and grounded in familiar activities. For example, the opening describes the children visiting their grandparents for spring break, clipping school pictures, helping decorate Easter eggs, and delivering photos to family members. These details not only provide context but help young readers connect their own experiences with the characters’ actions.
The dialogue between characters is simple and realistic. When Blake asks Makayla, “You want to play football?” and she answers, “No,” the exchange reflects natural childhood preferences and dynamics. Similarly, Blake’s suggestion of baseball and Makayla’s choice to play with a soccer ball instead show their different personalities without needing elaborate explanation. Fleagane’s style prioritizes clarity, pacing, and relatability — qualities essential in children’s literature.
The pacing in the pages provided is deliberate and child-appropriate. The text focuses on moments of play, warmth, and family interaction, allowing readers to build comfort before the story shifts into the mystery of meeting Sneaky. Because this book is part of a continuing series about the Hairy Mountain Monster, the gradual buildup creates anticipation. The synopsis explains that the book aims to answer child-like questions about Sneaky: why he has three eyes, how he lost his parents, why he lives alone, and why he hides. Although these answers appear later in the book, beyond the provided pages, the early section establishes Blake and Makayla as curious children eager for discovery.
Thematically, the story encourages imagination, inquiry, and dialogue between children and adults. The synopsis clearly states that the author hopes to “pique the reader’s curiosity and ask questions about the character,” and that the book is designed to spark conversation between parent and child. The early pages model this tone by presenting scenes where the children make observations, help family members, and make choices about how they want to play. These little moments show readers that curiosity is part of everyday life, preparing them to carry that mindset into the mystery of Sneaky’s story.
The author’s background adds meaningful context to the book’s tone and themes. Norma Fleagane’s experience as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as her studies in early childhood education and psychology, naturally inform her writing. Her interest in family history, travel, culture, and living life fully can be felt in the gentle, family-centered scenes at the beginning of the story. The emphasis on togetherness, exploration, and childhood joy fits with the worldview she describes in her biography.
The overall perspective of this book, based strictly on the materials provided, is that it combines approachable illustrations, simple storytelling, and a sense of wonder to create a child-friendly foundation for the larger mystery of Sneaky. The continuity of forest imagery, the warmth of family interactions, and the clear, accessible writing make the book inviting for young readers. At the same time, the promise of learning Sneaky’s secrets — as stated in the synopsis — introduces a layer of intrigue that encourages children to keep turning pages.
All things considered, Sneaky the Hairy Mountain Monster: How I Lost My Parents fits in nicely with its stated goals of amusement, stimulating curiosity, and fostering creativity. The book encourages kids to explore the thrill of learning something new as well as the comfort of family through its vibrant illustrations, likable characters, and gentle introduction to a mysterious figure. Grab your own copy on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
