The writing team of Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple have created numerous gems. Yet, Monster Academy is still in the coal stage. It greatly reminded me of the story Ghoul School by Kevin O’Malley. Had I read Monster Academy first, I would have probably preferred it, yet, I did not. So, if you like Ghoul School (previous reviewed here) you’ll like this (and the reverse is true too, of course). The premise is simple: a “naughty monster” (which of course, means that they […]
The Coolest Ghoul in School
Ghoul School by Kevin O’Malley is one of those books where I am not “jumping up and down” screaming, “This is the best book EVER!” But it is one of those books where I will be recommending it to people. Mostly, this would be a great read for your library Halloween story time. Or the classroom read when you are at the end of the day (as it is not a Halloween story), or before the Holiday (because it can be a Halloween story), or […]
Counting, naps and monsters. Oh my
One Little Monster does not stay one very long. In fact, wait long enough and you will count up to 10 monsters. Or is that last one a real monster? Mark Gonyea has created an abstracted story about how one child sees the monsters in the room start to multiple in some interesting, unique, clumsy and even stinky ways. Are these monsters real or a little boys imagination? Is this a child who should be taking a nap and is playing instead or did a […]
Boogie your Wiggle and Wiggle your Boogie
First, I am not a Laurie Berkner fan. Yet, Monster Boogie is a real treat. You do not need the music or a CD of Berkner signing or playing the music for you to enjoy it. As you read out loud you will fall into a natural rhythm of a song. You will love the bounciness to the words and will have fun. Therefore, this is not a before bedtime story. It would be great for a preschool classroom. The illustrations by Ben Clanton are […]
Did someone order another budding chef story?
Here’s the basic premise of Brave Chef Brianna: a famous chef has become seriously ill, and he summons his 16 children, and tells them that whoever can start and run the most successful restaurant within a year will inherit his cooking empire (restaurants, tv, etc). His youngest child and only daughter is Brianna. She worries that she has less of a chance because her older brothers have all been working in the industry for years, while she’s fresh out of culinary school. The only place […]
I am Sorry to Inform You…… I Just Ate My Friend
Maybe I missed the point. Is it a book about karma? I am not sure. With that said, it really is not something I will be recommending. There is nothing redeeming about this book. I would not put my reputation on the line for this book. If you like it, please tell me why. With most books I do not like, I really do feel bad about it. I understand the hard work that authors and illustrators put into their work. I am a writer […]