The Monster Hunter's Manual: Book 1: Skeletons and Traps
#1 in The Monster Hunter's Manual Series
on Goodreads (7)
What’s inside...
Gabriel is a boy who has just lost everything, including his parents, and is forced to move to France with his crazy aunt and baby brother. In his aunt's ancient castle, Chateau Larcher, he discovers that the groaning walls, talking attic, and shifting shadows are the beginning of a grand adventure. Gabriel learns that the castle is haunted, but the ghosts and skeletons are not what he expects, and they reveal intriguing stories.
Discussion points
What do you think the most important tool for a monster hunter might be and why?
How do the skeletons in the story differ from what we know about human skeletons?
Can you imagine creating your own trap for a monster? What would it look like and how would it work?
What would you do if you were in the monster hunter's shoes when encountering a trap?
How do you think the monster hunters feel when they're setting up traps for the skeletons?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to visualize the scenes by asking them to draw their favorite trap or monster from the book.
Compare the monster hunting team's collaboration in the book to real-life teamwork, emphasizing the importance of working together towards a common goal.
Discuss the concept of courage in the face of the unknown, asking your child about times they have felt brave.
Use the monster and skeleton characters to explore themes of fear and safety, making parallels to everyday scenarios that your child might encounter.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The protagonist frequently encounters various puzzles and traps that require clever solutions to ensure safety while hunting monsters.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these problem-solving techniques to overcome challenges in school projects or in resolving everyday conflicts.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The protagonist often collaborates with other characters to tackle larger skeletons and to navigate complex traps, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of cooperation and working together to achieve common goals in group activities or sports.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: Facing monsters requires a great deal of courage, which the protagonist demonstrates throughout the story, fostering an adventurous spirit.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their own fears and try new experiences, whether it's joining a new activity or standing up for what is right.
Example Lesson: The importance of preparation
Explanation: Before any monster hunt, the protagonist prepares by studying different types of skeletons and designing traps, teaching the value of preparation.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to apply this lesson by preparing for school exams or planning ahead for any tasks to be tackled.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The book showcases creative solutions to evade or trap skeletons, highlighting the importance of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children in developing unique solutions in their creative projects or finding innovative ways to solve daily problems.