Danny Go's Volcano Adventure

Danny Go's Volcano Adventure by Danny Go, illustrated by Aleksander Zolotic (Penguin Books 2026) HB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9780241836606

Reviewed by Sylvia Forbes

Danny Go's Volcano Adventure — inspired by Danny Go's 'Floor is Lava' YouTube video — is an action-packed, fun (and lava-filled) adventure story for young kids. 

Open the cover to a haze of purple-ish blue.

Turn the page, and a hazard tape says CAUTION: THIS BOOK IS LAVA

Turn again, and the end papers are oozing molten orange-red globs.

The scene is set, and you're ready to meet Danny Go — he's waiting to invite you on a mission.

There are magical ice gems inside the volcano, and Danny needs your help retrieving them. Once you accept (and you will), it's all go go go!

First, you're climbing up the volcano's side. But which path do you choose? Which rocks are the safest to climb?

Next, you're in a boat, steering through a river of lava.

Row row row ... ANOTHER ROCK!  STEER TO THE RIGHT! That was close!

Page after page, there are obstacles to overcome, problems to solve, and decisions to make — all accompanied by an ever-present sense of urgency and a need for speed!

Soon, you arrive at an island where you see a smattering of ice gems and discover a big treasure chest with a bear-head-shaped lock. But just as you conquer the challenge of unlocking it and begin gathering all the ice gems, your most gruelling challenge of all shows up — a volcanic slug monster — and it's not going to give up easily! After a combination of tricky manoeuvres, some really quick thinking — and a bit of good luck — you vanquish the beast and escape the treacherous volcano with the ice gems intact.

Mission accomplished.

Kids will love partaking in this 48-page, hands-on, interactive adventure story, where they have to trace, tap, and tilt their way through the perilous volcano.

Aleksander Zolotic's illustrations are colourful, exciting and grand scale. The heated tones of the fiery lava — and the dusky purples and earthy tones of the clouds and rocks- create an almost engulfing quality, placing you right inside the volcano. While the cool teal-y-blue tones of Danny's attire and his boat, and the icy-blue glints coming off the ice gems, stand out in striking contrast. Every illustration on every page-turn feels immersive, allowing young (and even not-so-young) readers to easily imagine themselves from an inside-all-the-action perspective.

Fast-paced and brimming with the best kind of mayhem, Danny Go's Volcano Adventure is a must-have for all adventure-seeking kids who love exploring, imagining and of course, who love Danny Go.

Suitable for kids aged 3+.