This post is sponsored by Gregory G. Allen. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Written by Gregory G. Allen

Illustrated by Shelby Goodwin

Ages 7+ | 128 Pages

Publisher: ASD Publishing | ISBN-13: 9780996102940

Publisher’s Book Summary: Meet Toby: a young monster who has skin like a fish, fur like a dog, and smells like cotton candy when he gets excited. He lives with his family in the basement of Marymount Mansion and once a year ventures out into the real world when everyone is dressed for Halloween. Toby becomes frustrated with hiding below ground and sets off on an all-important quest.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Bookshop

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gregory G. Allen is an award-winning author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and actor. His children’s books include Chicken Boy: The Adventures of a Superhero with Autism, Chicken Boy Deals with Doctors & Dentists, and Irving the Theater Nut! He is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and The Dramatist Guild. The idea for his monster book goes back to the first musical he ever wrote, which was produced for the stage when he was 15, with the message that it’s okay to be different.

For more information, visit gregsimagination.com.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Shelby Goodwin is an illustrator, letterer, graphic designer, and all-around creative living in Hoboken, NJ. She is extremely passionate about children’s media and the power of art to romanticize the everyday. When she is not making things, she can be found with her spouse and three cats exploring new places, eating pastries, or cuddling up in her favorite reading chair.

For more information, visit heartonmysleevedesign.com.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for the chance to win a signed paperback copy of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion, a signed paperback copy of each of the author’s previous picture books** (Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Superhero with Autism, Chicken Boy: A Superhero with Autism Deals with Doctors & Dentists, and Irving the Theater Nut!), and a $50 Amazon gift card to buy other books! **All books teach children not to fear those who are different and to be proud of themselves FOR those differences.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

– A signed paperback copy of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

– A signed paperback copy of Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Superhero with Autism

– A signed paperback copy of Chicken Boy: A Superhero Deals with Doctors and Dentists

– A signed paperback copy of Irving the Theater Nut

– A $50 Amazon Gift Card

Four (4) winners receive:

– A signed paperback copy of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/B1Uur/the-monsters-of-marymount-mansion-book-giveaway

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

Celeste lives in an old mansion that has belonged to her family for years. She hides a secret. There are monsters living inside that no one else knows about. Toby is an eight-year-old who lives there with his younger sister and parents.

Most of the time it’s boring because he must hide whenever anyone visits the house. But this year Toby is excited because Halloween is coming an he is old enough to disguise himself among human trick or treaters on Halloween and venture outside the house.

This book contains adorable black and white illustrations that will captivate beginning readers. (as well as adults) Allen knows how to move the story along for beginning chapter readers. I appreciate the message that monsters (like humans) are unique and special. Children learn to appreciate our differences produce our strengths. Certainly, it’s what inside that counts.

As a parent and retired educator, I would recommend the book as a read aloud discussion for homeschool or classroom. Warning! Adults will enjoy this one as much as the kids.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, October 10, 2023The Children’s Book ReviewBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Wednesday, October 11, 2023The Momma SpotBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Thursday, October 12, 2023Me Two BooksBook Activity Paired with The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Friday, October 13, 2023Life Is What It’s CalledAuthor Interview with Gregory G. Allen

Saturday, October 14, 2023Joanna’s BookshelfBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Sunday, October 15, 2023The Fairview ReviewBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Monday, October 16, 2023Froggy Teach ReadBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Tuesday, October 17, 2023A Blue Box Full of BooksBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion and Little Free Library Drop

Wednesday, October 18, 2023Twirling Book PrincessBook Giveaway of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Thursday, October 19, 2023icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Friday, October 20, 2023One More ExclamationBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Monday, October 23, 2023My Reading GetawayAn Interview with Gregory G. Allen

Tuesday, October 24, 2023Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersAn Article Written by Gregory G. Allen

Wednesday, October 25, 2023Book Bug CABook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Thursday, October 26, 2023Cover Lover Book ReviewAn Interview with Gregory G. Allen

Friday, October 27, 2023Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Saturday, October 28, 2023Pages for PaigeBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Sunday, October 29, 2023Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogBook Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Thomas Templeton and the Whispers of Branson Manor

Written by Emily A. Stewart

Illustrated by Chad Stewart

Sarah, Thomas, and Evie are three orphans who have been taken in by their Aunt Gertrude. Gertrude never wanted them in her life.

When the siblings overhear that she is planning to get rid of Sarah and Thomas but keep Evie around to do her bidding, they decide to run away. How will they survive with limited resources and no one to watch out for them?

The resilient trio go on an adventure, adopt a lost pup, and meet a bunch of friendly and unfriendly characters. As Gertrude attempts to get them back for punishment, the three children find themselves in the house where their parents died. Strange things befall them. They learn about witches and curses. Will they escape their aunt and find a way to stay together? Is the house cursed? What happened to their parents?

Interesting characters, a nice blend of humor, mystery, with just enough scariness, combine to make this a middle-grade page turner.

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Looking for book reviews, lesson plans, videos, and more? Check out http://www.LittleMissHISTORY.com

Halloween Short Stories: Spooky Short Stories for Kids

Written by Uncle Amon

This book consists of five short stories and a short selection of Halloween jokes. The characters deal with familiar Halloween themes like pumpkins, black cats, witches, and haunted houses. It is the first volume in a collection of Halloween stories.

These tales are short and do not contain difficult vocabulary. I would recommend them especially for beginning readers in the six to nine age group. They are not particularly scary. I would say they are appropriate for children who are not too fond of Halloween.

The book may be a good choice for a read-aloud or sharing at a Halloween party.

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My Monster Burrufu

Written by Alberto Corral

Illustrated by Alessandra Sorrentino

This chapter book is targeted for eight to twelve year olds; the easy going storytelling style and charming illustrations interspersed throughout make it visually appealing as well. I can’t make up my mind which character I love the most, Olivia, the seven year old mistress of the monster’s house or Burrufu, the melancholy monster.

At the beginning of the adventure, Olivia is about to move from the city to a home four hours away in the country. She immediately endears herself to me when I read the note she left to the new tenants asking them to take care of the house and sending them hugs and kisses. Upon arriving at the old three story house, Olivia and her dog Tula begin to explore the home’s nooks and crannies. They hear noises in the attic; her father, Steve, tells her jokingly that maybe it is a monster. Olivia thinks he is making fun of her, and when he assures her that a monster in the house is good luck, she feels relief.

Olivia can’t sleep and goes down to the kitchen to have some milk and cookies. To her surprise she spies a furry white claw stealing cookies! So the adventure begins….Olivia is determined to lure the creature out by setting a cookie trap. She discovers that the monster lives in the attic and is a writer like her father. Because Olivia’s dad spends lots of time in his study writing, she has lots of time on her own. Olivia learns that her friend Burrufu can make himself very large when he frightens people; he is fearful of going outside and scaring people. Olivia wants to make him feel wanted and secure so she tries to provide him with courage. One day Burrufu is discovered and chaos ensues. Will Olivia be able to remain friends with her monster, who is really a talented and sensitive writer or will they both be forced to relinquish their friendship due to the fears of others?

This book contains approximately one hundred pages and ten short chapters. It can be used as a classroom read aloud or read independently as a chapter book for readers in the middle grades. There is plenty of humor and adventure. The plot contains enough twists and turns plus thought provoking issues to challenge the middle grade reader. Highly recommended.

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