Mostly Monsters (Children's Illustrated Classics)
What’s inside...
Steven Zorn's 'Mostly Monsters' features classic and contemporary tales of monsters, adapted for younger readers. The collection includes works by Mary Shelley, Ambrose Bierce, and Charles Dickens, among others. Illustrated with images of dragons, man-eating trees, and robots, the book is designed to entertain and captivate children aged 9-12, while retaining the spine-tingling appeal of the original stories.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-10
Length
56 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes each monster special in their own way?
If you could be friends with one of the monsters, which one would it be and why?
How do the monsters help each other in the story?
Can you imagine a new adventure for the monsters? What would it be like?
What do you think is the most important lesson the monsters learn?
Tip: Role play these questions
To foster a deeper connection with the story, try using expressive voices for different monsters while reading aloud. This can make the experience more immersive and fun. Encourage your child to draw their favorite monster and describe what makes it unique, reinforcing the themes of individuality and acceptance in the book. After discussing the questions, you might consider co-creating a 'monster diary' where your child can write or draw something new about the monsters each day, enhancing their understanding and engagement with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of understanding differences
Explanation: Through the diverse characters of monsters, the book depicts how differences make us unique and enrich our interactions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by embracing diversity among peers, learning from others' perspectives and strengthening communal harmony.
Example Lesson: Cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: The monsters often have to work together to solve problems, teaching the value of teamwork.
Real-World Application: In their daily activities, whether in school projects or family chores, children can learn to collaborate effectively to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The storyline shows the positive and negative outcomes of the monsters' decisions, highlighting the impact of one's actions.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to think about the consequences of their actions and make thoughtful decisions.
Example Lesson: Importance of kindness
Explanation: Despite their fearsome appearances, many monsters demonstrate acts of kindness, showing that true character is shown through actions, not appearances.
Real-World Application: This can translate to children showing kindness to all, regardless of how people look or where they come from.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: The characters often encounter scary situations, but they learn to overcome their fears bravely.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to face their own fears and understand that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.