Saturday 11 January 2014

Gingham Goblins, Teacher-Eaters and Monster Languages

I'm slowly making my way through the pile of monsters on my table. Among them are monsters from Morton Trentside Primary School in Gainsborough, Bishop Winnington-Ingram CE Primary School (BWI) in Middlesex, and some more from Broadway in Lancashire and St Edwards in Castle Donnington.

Here are some highlights

The name 'snoggy bogie' by Lucas from Broadway Primary.

'Above the creature’s eyes is a squelchy red brain.' - Millie from Morton Trentside Primary School.

'Squelchy' is one of my favourite words. When applied to brains, it's even better.

'A clownalot is half werewolf, half clown and at the end of every show, he eats everybody in the audience.' - Aisha from Broadway Primary.

This is fantastic because it's such an unlikely mix. Clowns are colourful entertainers. Werewolves are hairy, unfriendly, grey-brown beasts. Very original.

'Because Treppi Beppis only eat teachers, they live in schools all across the world. At night they barge into the staffroom and blast lasers from their eyes, which kill their prey.' - Cameron from Morton Trentside Primary School.

Hmm, this is the third monster that eats teachers and they've all been from different schools. This is obviously as idea that appeals to children. Perhaps we could have a monster that eats the nastiest, strictest, meanest teacher in the school. But then comes after the nice teachers who make muffins, and has to be stopped.

On another note, 'Treppi Beppis' is a brilliant monster species name.

'When the Gingham Goblin coughs, it sounds like a big thunderstorm.'

A simple but effective simile from Megan. I love the name 'Gingham Goblin'. Here's a quick sketch for anybody who might wonder what such a goblin might look like:



'These monsters are actually extremely friendly however when you mention the word happy they go absolutely crazy. And when I say crazy, I mean running around like a pinball, shouting at the top of their voices.' - Alex from St Edwards Primary School.

Another super simile there from Alex. Pinballs in pinball machines really do bounce all over the place so I know exactly what he means. Very clever.

'When he speaks it sounds like a deep rumbling from underneath you.' - Chloe from St Edward Primary.

The use of position - 'rumbling from underneath you' transforms this simile from a good one, to a great one.

'A Clax is a very rare species of monsters because they taste delicious, and are the favourite food of many other creatures.' Alex from Morton Trentside Primary School.

This is an interesting twist. Most children wrote about what the monsters like to eat. Alex is unique in that he's considered a monster that's near the bottom of the food chain.

'His friends at school call him Bib, which means 'stupid' in monster language,' - Hannah, Max and Zac from BWI.

Making up a monster language is a really enjoyable part of writing a monster book. It's best not to make your monster language too complicated or the reader won't remember all the words. But half-a-dozen monster words would be perfect, yarb?

'They say that maniac goblin throws lots of bombs filled with ketchup' - an anonymous pupil from BWI.

This is great because it's taking a terrible weapon that causes destruction in the real world, and making it silly enough to use in our monster book.

'The maniac goblin has a tattoo on one foot that says 'I stink' and one on the other foot saying 'No I don't'.'

This made me laugh out loud. I can't explain why it is funny - it just is. I'm imagining the monster hopping from one foot to the other as his feet argue it out.

'Do you know what he eats? Rotten veg and dead rats!' - Ella, Yasmin, Elija and Nathan.

This is a good example of showing (instead of telling) the reader how vile a monster is.

'I could see scales all over its body and green mixed with orange goo dripping down.' - Caleb, Ellisha, Renee from BWI.

This sentence is particularly vivid.

'Sorry, I can't tell you more because he's going to eat us!' - Harry, Ju and Alex.

Um... please can somebody reassure me that these three children are still alive?

This is a stonkingly good example of showing instead of telling - the best so far. Take a bow kids (if you're still alive!)

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