monsters – Kids' Blog

Official Beauty and the Beast Trailer is here!

Katie24 November, 2016

Believe it or not, the official trailer for the 2017 live action movie, Beauty and the Beast has been released and what you will see so far shows promise!

The animation and special effects are fantastic! The beast is monstrous on the outside, but perhaps a gentle soul inside and the Beauty in the story, well I think she has the potential to steal the show.

Based on the much loved classic fairy-tale, a monstrous prince is transformed into a beast. In order to break the horrible enchantment, the beast must fall in love with a beautiful young woman named Belle, played by none other than Emma Watson (Hermione from the Harry Potter movie), but to complicate things further he must earn her love in return.

Now is the time to pen in the date, 17th March 2017, to be a guest for one of the most highly anticipated Walt Disney movie releases of all time!

5 New kids fiction books to warm your heart on these freezing winter days

admin11 August, 2016

The Adventures of Alfie Onion by Vivian French

Alfie Onion has just set off on a great adventure …but only to carry his brother’s luggage. It’s his elder brother, Magnifico Onion, who’s destined to win their family a Happily Ever After. But when it turns out Magnifico isn’t half the hero he’s cracked up to be, it falls to Alfie to save the day – with a little help from his loyal dog, a talking horse and a couple of meddling magpies.

Perijee & Me by Ross Montgomery

When 11-year-old Caitlin discovers a shrimp-like alien creature on the shores of her island home, she takes responsibility for teaching it about the world. Mostly, this just involved stopping little Perijee from eating everything. Caitlin becomes increasingly close to her alien friend, treating him like a brother. There’s only one problem – Perijee won’t stop growing. Then the authorities try to hunt him down and through his fear, Perijee disappears and starts causing trouble. Caitlin must leave home and travel across the country to try and convince Perijee to stop destroying everything before it’s too late.

Binny Bewitched by Hilary McKay

Binny Cornwallis has lost some money. Money that wasn’t really hers in the first place. With her best enemy Gareth and her beloved dog Max she turns detective to track it down, but the Cornwallis family are anything but helpful. Little brother James and his friend Dill are having an adventure of their own and big sister Clem is acting very strangely. And on top of all this, Binny suspects their next-door neighbour may be a witch …

The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella dreams of the faraway lands her cartographer father once mapped. When her friend disappears, she volunteers to guide the search. The world beyond the walls is a monster-filled wasteland and beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a fire demon is stirring from its sleep. Soon, following her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isabella discovers the true end of her journey: to save the island itself.

Emily Sparkes and the Backstage Blunder by Ruth Fitzgerald

‘It’s school play season, and Emily Sparkes has landed herself a starring role… not. In fact it’s the most HUMILIATING role in the history of all time – even worse than the time she was cast as a duck. (Quack, quack.) Emily’s friends Chloe (pretty much a Hollywood-star-to-be, daahling) and Zuzanna are very excited. Partly because, for the first time ever, they’ll be performing in a gala at the local theatre like proper actors! But things take a turn for the worse when they meet the other school who’ll be performing. The girls from Mag Hall have a history with Chloe that seems a bit mysterious. It’s going to take some real Emily Sparkes creativityness to get to the bottom of things!’ – taken from book cover.

More great Pixar films to watch and… a special bonus Pixar surprise.

Katie12 July, 2016

The Pixar theme continues! Here are more Pixar DVD choices to watch over the school holidays and a special bonus Pixar surprise that shows why you must go down to your local theatre and see Finding Dory!

Toy Story, 2 and 3.

Toy Story was the first Pixar film ever released and changed the world of animation films forever.

These films are timeless classics that takes you on a journey into the world of the secret life of toys. Join Buzz, Woody, Jessie and lots of amazing toys that unexpectedly embark on adventures that challenge and change them. These films are full of excitement, adventure and will change the way you think of toys.

A Bug’s Life.

Life is not easy, especially if you are a bug. An inventive ant named Flik hires ‘warrior bugs’ to defend his colony from a horde of freeloading grasshoppers, led by Hooper. But when Flik’s cavalry turns out to be a ragtag group of circus performers, the stage is set for comic confusion …as well as unlikely heroes.

Monsters Inc.

In the world behind our closet doors, monsters like Mike and Sulley work hard for their income. To be exact, the monster world depends on our children’s screams: It is their energy that makes lightbulbs glow and cars drive. Big companies like Monsters, Inc. collect the scream energy, and many monsters work there in shifts. In these times, it is getting harder and harder to shock the kids properly, since they’re so spoiled by television, so that there’s an energy shortage in the monster world. Sulley, the number one frightener, one day accidentally lets a human child into the monster world. Since kids are supposed to be poisonous and carry loads of diseases, pandemonium ensues. After Mike and Sulley discover that the girl they named Boo actually seems quite harmless, they decide to bring her back through her door into her room. But Boo’s presence is more than just a mere accident. Now, Mike and Sulley have to face an enemy within their own ranks.

Monsters University.

Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other. Monsters University unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

Brave.

One of my favourite Pixar films and a tribute to my Scottish ancestry. When chaos is unleashed in the kingdom as a result of Princess Merida’s actions, she must harness all of her skills and resources to break the beastly curse before it’s too late, mend bonds “torn by pride” and discover the meaning of true bravery. If you’re not convinced that this DVD is worth watching, have a read of my review here.

Special Pixar bonus: (Drum roll please….)

Movie review of Finding Dory

Last weekend I went to see Finding Dory at the movies and it is in a word, FANTASTIC! Finding Dory reunites the friendly but forgetful blue tang fish, Dory, along with her friends, Marlin and Nemo on an epic quest to find Dory’s family. The questions that hangs on everyone’s lips are what does she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak whale? Favourite moments in the film include Dory as a baby – Boy, she’s adorable!, Marlin and Nemo’s encounter with the seals, Still can’t get the ‘OFFOFFOFFOFF’ aka the seal talk out of my head, Dory making new friends with Hank, an octopus with seven tentacles and who, for a guy with three hearts is very bad tempered, Dory reuniting with her childhood friend, Destiny and the odd cameo of previous characters from Finding Nemo. Overall, I loved the film! It will make you laugh, it will make you cry and it will make you want to watch it over and over again. It is truly unforgettable.

A well deserved 9/10.

Also check out footage of Baby Dory and the Pixar short film, Piper that was released alongside and screens before Finding Dory.

4 New Non Fiction: Heroes and Wizards vs Zombies and Monsters.

Katie30 June, 2016

Beastworld: Terrifying Monsters and Mythical Beasts.

Step into a spine-chilling world of terrifying mythical beasts from ancient myths, strange sightings and folklore. Mythical beasts includes Bigfoot, the Loch ness monster and the kraken.

Harry Potter: The Character Vault.

Unlock new information about your favourite characters from the Harry Potter movies with this book profiling the good, the bad, and everything in between. Concept art, behind-the-scenes imagery, and film stills track everyone from Harry, Hermione and Ron to Dobby, Mad-Eye Moody and Dolores Umbridge, telling their complete stories as they evolve throughout the film series. A must read for all the Harry Potter fans out there.

Zombies: The truth behind history’s terrifying flesh-eaters.

Zombies, are they real or some made up story? Only reading Zombies: The truth behind history’s terrifying flesh-eaters, will allow to separate fact from fiction. This book describes ancient history, medieval lore, and modern portrayals of zombies in today’s popular culture. A must read for anyone who is interested in information about zombies… or who wants to prepare for a zombie apocalypse.

Paws of Courage: True Tales of Heroic dogs that protect and serve.

Inside each courageous canine beats the heart of a hero. Readers will cheer for the hero dogs featured in this collection, profiled with stunning photos and inspiring tales of bravery, friendship, heroism, and devotion. Great for ages 10 years and over.

Top 10 Childrens DVD’s May 2016

Dusty15 June, 2016

Monsters and dragons and minions, oh my! There are some great favourite movies amongst the DVD listings for May.

Adventures abound for Geronimo, the popular mouse hero of middle fiction continues on his world wide escapades. Fancy writing your own article for The Rodent Gazette? What adventure would you report to the editor? Let us know your ideas in the comments.

Here’s your Top 10 for last month:

1. My little pony, friendship is magic

2. Inside out

3. Strawberry Shortcake

4. Minions

5. Hotel Transylvania

6. Dragons

7. Geronimo Stilton

8. Legends of Chima

9. Home

10. The new adventures of Peter Pan

Great new kids fiction for the new school year!

admin4 February, 2016

Crowns and Codebreakers by Elen Caldecott (The Marsh Road Mysteries #2)

Minnie’s Gran picks up the wrong suitcase at the airport. Then Minnie’s house is burgled and the only thing taken is the suitcase. The suitcase was full of boy’s clothes. Who was the boy? What has happened to him? Minnie knows there is a mystery to be solved here and reassembles her gang to solve it.

Stop Those Monsters! by Steve Cole

The Wizard of Oz meets Monsters Inc in this MONSTROUSLY funny stand-alone story from bestselling author phenomenon, Steve Cole. I’m Bob, a human boy stuck in a land of MONSTERS. I’m trying to get out with the help of three – count them, three – incredible creatures. There’s Verity, who looks like a giant hamster. Alfie, who’s about as scary as a bag of crisps. And Zola, a gorgon who can’t turn people to stone (though she can manage cardboard at a push). We’re on a crazy, death-defying quest to escape with our lives. And all around us, the cry goes up: STOP THOSE MONSTERS!!!

A Horse Called Dora ; Knight in Training #2 (by Vivian French and David Melling

Sam J. Butterbiggins’ only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem he’s been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his aunt, uncle and annoying cousin Prune while his parents are away. But Sam’s discovered an ancient scroll listing the six quests to be completed in order to become a knight, and he’s already completed the first one! Now he’s found his True Companion (Prune), next on the list is to track down a Snow White Steed. But when Aunt Egg orders Sam and Prune to journey to Weasel’s Hill to deliver Horace the warthog back to his owner, it looks like the young knight-in-training looks will have to put his quest on hold. Or will he?

Under Suspicion by R.A. Spratt

Since Friday Barnes was arrested after cracking the case of Highcrest academy’s swamp-yeti, she is not so sure boarding school was the smartest choice! And there’s a new boy at school who’s take a shine to her to deal with. Can Friday navigate the school grounds and decipher a decades-old mystery without getting caught in an unexpected love triangle?

Nancy Drew; The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene

‘Nancy Drew arrives in Phoenix, Arizona, eagerly looking forward to a fun-filled vacation at Shadow Ranch, but abruptly finds herself involved in a baffling mystery. The ranch is being haunted by a phantom horse and maliciously damaged by an unknown enemy. Local people believe that the ghostly animal is carrying out the curse of Dirk Valentine, the romantic outlaw who was killed many years ago at Shadow Ranch, where he had gone to fulfill a promise to his sweetheart’…. –taken from inside book cover.

Mrs. Mo’s Monster visits Johnsonville Library

debbie21 July, 2015

Author and illustrator Paul Beavis visited Johnsonville Library during the school holidays for a storytime and a live drawing session.

Paul read his book Mrs. Mo’s Monster to us and then he taught us some actions that go with the book so we were able to act out the story when he read it for a second time.

Paul also showed us how he draws monsters so we were able to go home and create our own special monsters with what he had shown us.

Check out our photos. We loved having a chance to be little monsters ourselves!

5 great new children’s fiction to get you through these chilly winter days

admin23 June, 2015

The Vanishing of Billy Buckle by Sally Gardner

The famous fairy detective agency, Wings & Co, has a big problem. Well quite a few of them actually. There’s the missing giant, Billy Buckle, who has vanished without a trace, and left his giant daughter behind. There’s a surprise visit to the seaside, which uncovers a murder and a stolen diamond. And then there’s that tricky business of the TV talent show. Squat on a squid, this is Emily, Buster and Fidget’s most complicated case yet. – taken from back cover.

Looking Glass Girl by Cathy Cassidy

Alice nearly didn’t go to the sleepover. Why would Savvy, queen of the school, invite someone like her? Now Alice is lying unconscious in a hospital bed. Lost in a wonderland of dreams and half-formed memories, she’s surrounded by voices – the doctor, her worried friends and Luke, whose kisses the night of the fall took her by surprise . . . When the accident happened her world vanished – can Alice ever find her way back? A wonderful modern-day reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic, Looking Glass Girl is the stunning new book from Cathy Cassidy, an unforgettable tale of friendship and love from one of the UK’s best-loved authors;- www.Goodreads.com

Trash Mountain by Jane Yolen

When the gray squirrels kill his parents, a young red squirrel vows revenge, finding unlikely allies in the rats and gulls of Trash Mountain.

Sock Monkey Into the Deep Woods by Matt Danner & Tony Millionaire

“In this all-new storybook adventure, the sock monkey Uncle Gabby, his button-eyed friend Mr. Crow, and their little doll pal Inches embark on a dangerous plan to rescue their missing human, Ann-Louise, from the vicious Amarok monster that they believe has kidnapped her into the haunted woods! The epic quest that follows takes them by sea, land, and air through breathtaking lands, including a colorful cast of fanciful new characters, including the Trumbernick, the Gardsmen of Bear Town, flying harpies, and a hideous sea monster!”–page [4] of cover

Harvey Angell Beats Time by Diana Hendry

‘After the Great Storm the air was buzzing. Fences were toppled, trees were uprooted. With all the mess in Henry’s town, it didn’t surprise him to find a bundle of trash stuck in his Aunt Agatha’s hollyhocks. But when Henry discovers that the bundle is a baby — a baby with tiny antennae instead of eyebrows, and ears that look like buttercups — he suspects his old friend Harvey Angell is responsible. After all, Harvey Angell does have very special connections! But Harvey Angell is nowhere to be found, and witchy women are lining up around the block, desperate to see the baby. Henry is running out of time. He’s got to find Harvey Angell before this mystery turns into cosmic disaster’.- www.goodreads.com

Awesome New Fiction to read

admin2 July, 2014

Looking for a warm winter read? Here are the latest hot books we have added to the library. Grab one before they get cold1

Monster and Chips; Food Fright By David O’Connell

Meet the amazing monster customers and sample the foul-food served up daily at Fuzzby’s diner – the third book in this innovative series from incredibly talented author and illustrator, David O’Connell.
Somewhere hidden in the city is a very special diner. What’s so special about it? Well it does the best chips anywhere and the customers are monsters (Goodreads.com)

The Ratcatcher’s Daughter by Pamela Rushby

It’s 1900. Thirteen-year-old Issy McKelvie leaves school and starts her first job – very reluctantly – as a maid in an undertaking establishment. She thinks this is about as low as you can go. But there’s worse to come. Issy becomes an unwilling rat-catcher when the plague – the Black Death – arrives in Australia. Issy loathes both rats and her father’s four yappy, snappy, hyperactive rat-killing terriers. But when her father becomes ill it’s up to Issy to join the battle to rid the city of the plague-carrying rats. (Goodreads.com)

Brave by Wendy Constance

13,000 years ago. Wild Horse has been sent to prove his bravery by bringing a runaway girl back to her tribe before she’s taken by wolves. But Blue Bird doesn’t want to be found, and persuades Wild Horse to join her and a rescued sabre-tooth cub. It’s the greatest adventure of their lives, and they must fight with spear, tooth and claw to survive.

The Dark Wild by Piers Torday (sequel to The Last Wild)

Twelve-year-old Kester thought he had discovered the last wild animals in the land. He thought his adventure was over. He was wrong. Below the sparkling city of Premium, deep underground, a dark wild remains: animals who believe the time is right to rise up against their human enemies. And soon Kester realises: he is the only one who can stop them.
Kester Jaynes saved the animals. Can he save the humans too? (Goodreads.com)

Exile by Shannon Messenger

Sophie is settling in nicely to her new life in Havenfield. She’s getting to spend time with rare, precious species– including the first female Alicorn, who shows herself to Sophie and trusts no one but her. Sophie is tasked with helping to train the magical creature so that the Alicorn can be revealed to the people of the lost cities as a sign of hope. But the secrets buried deep in Sophie’s memories remain, and before long she’s back in incredible danger, risking everything to find the answers to questions that could save not only her life, but the life of someone close to her…

Top 10 DVDs for January

admin27 January, 2014

Looking for some last minute school holiday DVDs before going back to school? Here are the most popular DVDs for January – why not choose one of these?

1. My little pony, friendship is magic series