It's Behind You!: Monster Poems By
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
A fantastic collection of very funny monster poems from two bestselling poets. Find out what to do if there is a monster under your bed, a zombie in the garden or a cyclops in your school. Beware the mighty Sockodile and the Death Kiss Suction Grandma Leeches and if you see a mutant vampire teacher . . . run for your life . . .
Age
6-7
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you think about the monsters in the poems? Were they scary, funny, or something else?
Which monster poem was your favorite and why?
How do you think the monsters felt in the stories? Can you think of a time when you felt the same way?
What would you do if you met one of the monsters from the book?
If you could create your own monster poem, what would your monster be like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading each poem, ask your child to predict what the monster might be like based on the title.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite monster from the book and describe what makes it interesting.
Use different voices for different monsters when reading to make the experience more immersive and entertaining.
After reading, connect the themes of the book to your child’s life by discussing similar emotions or events, fostering deeper understanding and empathy.
Praise your child’s responses and thought process to boost their confidence in expressing their ideas and interpretations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Facing fears
Explanation: Through whimsical and engaging poems about monsters, the book encourages children to confront and understand their fears rather than avoiding them.
Real-World Application: Children can use this understanding to tackle everyday fears such as darkness, meeting new people, or trying new activities.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The book's playful use of language and monster-themed poems stimulate a child’s creativity and imaginative thinking.
Real-World Application: This can be applied in a child’s life by encouraging them to engage in creative writing, drawing, or storytelling based on their own imaginative ideas.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Several poems provide perspectives from the monsters themselves, teaching children to see situations from others’ viewpoints.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and empathize with peers who might seem different or behave differently from themselves.
Example Lesson: Expressing emotions
Explanation: The poems give a voice to various emotional states through the characters of the monsters, which can help children in articulating their own feelings.
Real-World Application: This helps children in expressing their emotions more clearly in real-life situations, enhancing emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Overcoming obstacles
Explanation: The characters in the poems often face challenges which they overcome, providing a model for resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to persevere through difficulties whether it be in school, sports, or personal relationships.