Heinz, B.J., & Murdocca, S. (1996). The Monsters' Test. Brookfield, CT: The Millbrook Press.
ISBN: 9780761300953
Pages: 24
Age Level: Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook / Poetry
Rating: 3 stars
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The Monsters' Test is a bit of an oldie, but I have only just purchased it, and it's about monsters so I'm definitely going to review it.
Kid's are always having friendly competitions - who is the tallest, the smartest, the prettiest, the fastest - and monsters are no different. So when a group of the worst of them get together for an evening out, it's not surprising that they decide to have a contest to see which of them is the scariest looking.
Told in verse the Monsters' Test is more appropriate for upper primary and intermediate children. The rhyme is catchy although not always easy to keep the rhythm up. Each monster gets a chance to try and outdo everyone else with lots of heckling from the audience.
In keeping with the monster theme the background images are dark and full of suspense. However the foreground images of the monsters have quite a lot of colour, and the creatures facial expressions and antics make this a book to laugh at and enjoy rather than be scared of. It shows kids that, just like them, other 'creatures' have fun, make fun of each other, love competition and can be scared of the silliest things!!!
What a great book about Halloween. I like it although I have to say the sometimes un-rhythmic verse has let it down ... hence only 3 stars. It would be a great poem for senior students poetry competitions. I must admit that it is currently catalogued in our system as 821:Poetry, but I'm thinking it will get more use in our Sophisticated Picture Book section so I'll be changing it before the spine label goes on this week.
I got my copy of The Monsters' Test from the Taradale Primary School library where I work.
You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.
McKenzie, H. (2013). What do Werewolves do when it's not Halloween? Lindfield, Australia: Scholastic.
ISBN: 9781742838793
Pages: 24
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 4 stars
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Just what do Werewolves and all the other supernatural creatures get up to when it's not Halloween? Do they hide in dark closets, or do they get up to mischief? Join Heath McKenzie as he takes you for a romp through the lives of your favourite ghouls, ghosts and spooks, and find out just what Werewolves do after Halloween.
With a rollicking great rhyme and a funky font this is a great picture book to share with young and old kids alike. Older kids will 'get' the humour of it more-so than the pre-school kids, but I can see them laughing their way through story time if you read this with them.
McKenzie's illustrations are just so awesome as well. He uses humour in his images to turn what some people find scary (monsters) into a hilarious twist on our own relaxation activities. There are so many great things to see on each page that I can't choose a favourite. I just love them all so much. I've got to admit though that I'm quite partial to the library scene!
This is a wicked-cool addition to your collection, especially if like me you are a fan of all things supernatural. And maybe after reading this, those kids that are usually scared of things that go 'bump' in the night won't be so scared any more :-)
I got my copy of What do Werewolves do when it's not Halloween? from the Taradale Primary School library where I work.
Oops I couldn't find a copy at Napier Libraries.
Check out Heather McKenzie's website on how she came up with the idea for What to Werewolves do when it's not Halloween?
