Monster’s are awesome! Some of my kids’ favorite books are all about these silly make believe creatures. Some of the all-time great monster books are The  Monster at the End of This Book, Go  Away Big Green Monster, Where the Wild Things Are, and Leonardo, the Terrible Monster. We would like to add to another to the list of great monster books with When a Monster is Born. This book is very funny and crazy fun! After reading, take your silly little monsters to the AZ Museum for Youth, where the current feature exhibit is My Favorite Monster.  They have fantastic hands-on exhibits to help you build, create, and play with toy monsters. Make your day less scary and more fun! Enjoy reading this great book and having fun with your kids today!

The Book

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Title: When a Monster is Born

Author: Sean Taylor

Illustrator: Nick Sharratt

Recommended Age: Ages 4-8

Book Brief: When a monster is born there are two possibilities- Either it’s a faraway-in-the-forest monster or . . . it’s an under-your-bed monster. If its a faraway-in-the-forest monster that’s that. But if its an under-your-bed monster all sorts of comical things can happen. This subversive monster story explores the hilarious possibilities of what if . . . Read it at bedtime and laugh your pajamas off . . . or read it during the day and laugh your socks off!

Author: Sean Taylor went to school in south London. “I would put on my tie, my hat, my blazer and take the 8:09 train with the bankers and the lawyers. I was probably being prepared to grow into one of these myself but (fortunately for them) it didn’t happen!” After teaching in Zimbabwe, Sean went to Cambridge University to take a degree in English Literature. He worked in publishing and journalism, and taught adults to read and write as a literature development worker in east London. When a Monster is Born is his first book. He lives in Bristol, England.

Illustrator: Nick Sharratt liked drawing from an early age. “When I was nine,” he says, “a picture that I drew was pinned up in the hallway and the husband of a teacher saw it and offered me five pounds to do a similar picture for him. That’s when I decided I was going to be a professional artist one day!” On leaving school Nick went to art college in London to study in graphic design. After that, he drew humorous illustrations for magazines and packaging and illustrated school text books, before going on to write and illustrate several picture books. He lives in Brighton, England.

The Blast

My Favorite Monster

Location: Arizona Museum for Youth

35 N. Robson, Mesa, AZ 85201

Hours: 10am-4pm, Tues.-Sat.

12-4pm, Sun.

Exhibit Dates: 5/22-9/27/09

Admission: $6.50 1yr.+ thru Adult

Free: Members & >1 yr.

$5.00: Group Rate

Its a Blast!
The ghoulishly delightful “My favorite Monster” exhibition is full of ghastly excitement. Check out the neon dark room that features colorful ghosts, goblins, and a carnival-style, distorted mirror with furry, glow-in- the-dark puppets.

You can also creep your way through a fantastic monster castle with flickering lights and, then, flee from a gargantuan spider hanging overhead, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting guests. Kids will also find themselves enthralled in the Monster Mash Puppet Theatre where they can choose, create, and produce their very own show. In fact, the whole family can show up in their personal, favorite monster costume for a starring role on the Big Silver Monster Screen!

This goblin-loving, ghoulishly fun festivity is a batty exploration into the minds of Valley artists and others to help us find and enjoy the not-so-scary monster within us all. It’s sure to be a fabulous adventure for the entire family with age-appropriate themes for everyone.

All little monsters are invited to boogie on over to the Big Monster Mash at AMY, happening now through September 22, 2009. Just don’t forget to bring your Mummy and Deady with you! 

Extra Tips for a Good Time!

• After the exhibit your kids will love to play in Artville. An area intended for kids 0-4 years old, but older siblings can play too. It’s included in admission, but socks or shoes are required (even for babies).
• If you get hungry at the Museum there is no cafeteria, but some of my favorite cafes are within walking (or a very short drive, depending on the heat) distance just across the street in Downtown Mesa.
• There are a lot of crafts and take home projects, so bring a stroller for the baby so your hands are free to help and a bag to stuff it all in when you’re done. (Strollers are not allowed in the Artville portion of the Museum.)