Little Monsters!

"Let the wild rumpus start!!!!!" .......is the first thing that came to my mind as I got to know about today's reading prompt - Monsters and Dragons. Children are fascinated with magical creatures like monsters and dragons. These so called monsters are hardly the scary creatures you would keep your little one away from, but silly little characters they can  can easily relate to and have a hearty laugh over. Who wouldn't be amused by a nose-picking, burping monster trying hard to look scary??  Not to forget...monsters make great tools for pretend play and dress up! What's life without a little mischief and muddle with your little one...huh? Go on …….let your little monster explore his wild side!!!!

 

Let your little one roar his terrible roar, gnash his terrible teeth and show his terrible claws....like little Max in Maurice Sendak’s "Where the wild things are"! A must-read classic that explores the power of a child's imagination! We first revisited the world of wild things today!

Another book that comes to my mind is Leonardo, the Terrible Monster by our favourite author Mo Willems which beautifully conveys the message to accept who you are and to make peace with your true self. We had just read "The Rumblewick and Dinner Dragons" by Hiawyn Oram and Sarah Warburton, a quirky comic tale on how to befriend the dragon by a story pie!

While we've been reading together, Abhay has also been reading on his own "The Monster-hunters" by Parinita Shetty and illustrated by Pooja Puttenkolam, part of the hole book series for younger readers by Duckbill publications. A delightful read that  revolves around two best friends Abhay (Yes.....and our seven year old was totally kicked about reading his namesake!)and Nithya who go finding  monsters in theirs and their friends rooms as a part of their class project. Abhay enjoyed the book and in fact imagined himself and his friend doing the same! :-)

 

For our reading adventure together, we also read "Vile - A Cautionary Tale for Little Monsters" by Mark Robinson and illustrated by Sarah Horne. At the start of a brand new term at Beastville, little monsters are faced with the choice between 'The Ancient school of Manners' for bright, smiling and friendly little monsters and the 'University of Vile' for the mean little monsters. The University of Vile encourages the monsters to explore their true potential of being the naughtiest, meanest and the dirtiest monsters of all! So at University of Vile, its vital that the students are messy, loud and spiteful in classroom, play with food and burp loudly at lunchtime,  experiment and explore with toxic and stinky gases without goggles or safety wear, and then be unfair and not take turns at the playground! Wow....University of Vile sounds fun...right?? One day, two little monsters are out playing when they fall into a big hole in the ground. As they try to shove one another to get out, they realize that there is only one way to do so - is to co-operate. The next day when everyone, including the Principal gets to hear of their good act, they are banned from the University of Vile as having disgraced the mecca of mischief! The two little monsters join the ancient school of manners instead and learn the right way of life and graduate as good little monsters at the end of the school term. Well...not quite .....as they indulge in what is probably their last act of mischief - as the university of Vile is shown exploding to bits! A funny little that is sure to have your little monster in splits! 

Jurassic world

I have never been able to understand the American fixation with Dinosaurs! The highlight in many of the US museums would be the giant fossil of dinosaurs occupying the center stage. Of course, it is interesting to learn about these mammoth creatures that once dominated the earth. But this seems more than just fascination and borders on obsession, especially with children’s books or television programming. Since most of the time, I end up being the default audience for Abhay’s TV shows, Im bored of his Dinosaur characters assuming children’s personalities having similar issues and complexes. Who knows, tomorrow, I’ll probably find my son wanting to grow up to be a T-Rex! I’m not sure if kids in growing up in India share the same curiosity. We weren’t all that crazed, at least not until Jurassic park. I wonder if this fascination is in anyway related to our yearning for the world that was! But hey….the world of today isn’t bad either…..'We' are in it..right?!

Anyway, today I read two books on two of the most famous species of Dinosaurs – the colossal Sauropod and the ferocious Tyrannosaurs, commonly known as the T-Rex. The wonderful thing about these two books by Kate & Jim McMullan are that they are entertaining both for kids as well as adults. The first one is titled “Im Big” is about a lost sauropod who overslept and got left behind. While he looks for his herd, he is attacked by some predators half his size. But the mild herbivore that he is, showing off isn’t one of his specialties. Because of his huge size, running or hiding from the enemy is also not an option. Finally, mustering some courage, he realizes his true potential and succeeds in defending himself and dwarfing his rivals.

The second book is “Im Bad” and as the name suggests, the bad guy in the book is a roaring T-Rex. The fierce looking T Rex lets you know he’s a mean guy who rules the Dino world. As the raging theropod goes in search of food, he has trouble finding a decent meal. Despite being the deadliest beast in the forest, he cannot catch a prey! Ultimately, this tough guy has a soft spot for his mommy who brings him something to eat! Well….what can I say…Mommy knows best!:-)

12/05/2010 - An old favorite

Today Abhay was not in a mood for any library books but wanted to read some of his old favorites that were lying around in the house. “How do Dinosaurs eat their food?”by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague I found this particular title closest to my situation when compared to the other titles in the Dinosaurs Series by Jane Yolen.

For parents of picky eaters, meal times can be such an ordeal and almost every day your house turns into a battle ground during those crucial hours!!!!The clever tactics adopted by the dinosaurs in the book closely resembles the ones employed by our innovative little monsters when dinner is served. The book features everyday food issues like spitting out the broccoli, fussing, fidgeting and playing with food.

Another Dinosaur book that can be a good start for any play date is “ How do Dinosaurs play with their friends?” by the same authors. I've decide to read this book aloud to the Abhay on his next play date which most of the time turns into a tug-of war of toys between him and his friends.

Since most of the “How do Dinosaurs......” books have a similar pattern of narration …I remember once my husband and I tried to adapt the same style while waking up Abhay in the morning. Almost instantly we had another Dinosaur story…..

How do Dinosaurs wake up the morning? …

Do they respond to your “Good Morning” with a “ Good night”? ( which my son always does)

Do they pull up the sheets and say “ 5 more minutes, 5 more minutes”

Do they scream and yell back at you?

No…….

They wake up as soon the clock strikes 7.00 Am

They wake up with big smile and excitedly say “ Good Morning”

They jump out of the bed and are ready for the day!!!!

Good Morning Little Dinosaur!!!:-)

( P.S - Did it help?? ......if only wishes were....dinosaurs!!!:-)