Today our resident monster expert made it her mission to create this lovely illustrated guide to repelling and/or destroying vampires:
As you can see, she was a little concerned that the lack of colour in her illustrations might confuse some of us dull-witted adults into thinking her bulb of garlic was a pumpkin (and we all know how badly that could turn out, vampires being immune to pumpkin repellent and all). Hence the very specific label.
I'm partial to the 'stake through heart' drawing, myself. Happy vampire hunting!
S.
The Monsterologist: A Memoir in Rhyme
Ghostwritten by Bobbi Katz
Illustrated by Adam McCauley
Sterling Publishing, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4027-4417-4
Bobbi Katz, author of many picture books and books of poetry for kids, puts her talent to work here with 23 monster-related poems sure to make you giggle. She pulls creepy creatures from all over into play, from mythological beasts (Medusa and Cyclops) to movie monsters (Godzilla) to literary terrors (Frankenstein and Dracula) and creatures of her own creation. I particularly like the Verbivore, who attacks books and eats the action. But I have to take issue with the Suds-Surfing Sock-Eater - everybody knows there’s no monster in the washing machine stealing your socks. It’s the dryer that zaps them into another dimension...obviously.
Anyhow. From Grendel’s family recipe for Danish pastry (main ingredient: Danes) to
The Gruesome Guide To World Monsters
Written by: Judy Sierra
Illustrated by: Henrik Drescher
Candlewick Press, 2005
ISBN: 076361727-X
Planning a trip? If your tiny world traveler is also an aspiring folklore expert and a budding horror buff, you're definitely going to need to search for the perfect guide as a vacation treat. Lucky for you, we've found a phenomenal book to end the search, and send you hunting for (or running from) some of the worlds greatest monsters.
The Grusome Guide not only has descriptions of some of the worlds most impressive monsters of folklore, but also a rating system detailing just how dangerous these fiends are, and helpful survival tips in case you may find yourself face to face with one.
These baddies and boogeymen come from all over the globe. In North America, we start off with one of the good old standards: Bloody Mary, the evil spectre that appears in the mirror when you chant her name several time. She's rumoured to reach out, grab her victims, and try to pull them back into the mirror with her, but only if you see her first. She's also rated as Very Dangerous.
Moving on to Africa, you can see the dreaded Nundu. This monster takes the shape of a Lion or a Leopard until it comes closer. When it reaches its intended victim, it opens its mouth to the size of a cave and swallows the victim whole. Survival tips include...well...there are no tips, as a meeting with this particular bit of business is deemed "Fatal".
Other places in the world covered include Central and South America, Europe, and Asia and the Pacific.
The illustrations in this book are intense and terrifying. Rendered in mixed media, they're incredibly colourful, inventive, and...well, terrifying. I wouldn't want to roll over at night and face any if these illustrations staring me down. Not...at...all.
Check this book out when you're on your next family vacation. If not to find out where to go, at least to figure out where you don't want to travel. Oh, and if we may make a suggestion, New Zealand has a particularly nasty monster called Maraki-Hau that haunts the seas around there. Do yourself a favour and stay on dry land.
C.
Every monster expert has to start somewhere! These awesome children's books will teach creepy-creature enthusiasts everything they ever wanted to know about monsters...and then some!
Maritime Monsters by Steve Vernon
Wonderful tales and fearsome facts about monsters in the maritime provinces
Our review!
Encyclopedia Horrifica by Joshua Gee
0 Comments on The Ultimate Guide...to Monster Guides! as of 1/1/1900
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Not pumpkin? No wonder I keep having problems... :)
Love it!
What a mind! Love this kid!
It's an ongoing adventure every single day... ;)