Review by Ian Keogh

The summer temperature is really high, and young Mika is extremely hot, so her father opens the fridge door to generate some cool air in the room. His first mistake is not instead suggesting Mika remove her tiger suit onesie, his second is showing her the process, and his third is leaving the room. It’s not long before she’s discovered the fridge is above the freezer, and that’s even colder. What’s more both fridge and freezer contain some delightful looking objects, and Mika’s father is out of sight and out of mind.

Agata Loth-Ignaciuk and Berenika Kolomycka’s story for very young children was originally published in Poland, and it’s extremely rare to see Polish comics translated into English, so that bestows a novelty. However, it’s universal nature that ensures success because Mika’s journey of discovery could take place anywhere in the Western world. Kolomycka’s cartooning creates a generic apartment, and it’s only the items Mika collects that detract from the non-specific nature of the illustrations.

Her acquisitions are mainly the plants from around the house, which she thinks could also benefit from cooling down, and then also from being adorned with items from the fridge. She’s very pleased with her modifications, as well she ought to be.

Mika and the Chiller is definitely aimed at very young children rather than slotting into the all-ages category, and Mika’s colourful character, her inquisitive personality and her creativity with found objects ought to keep any young reader pleased. However, it will surely need an accompanying parental lecture about not wasting electricity and the dangers of a slippery wet floor.