Momplings, Mamawrobys and Stripes

I've been reading the heroes created by Mrs Hamilton's class at Broadway Primary School. They worked in seven groups and each group tackled a hero from a different one of the seven species on our short list.

I've read all of them and am going to comment on all of them. I picked one (the Jokatawrobys) to comment on in the manner than my editor makes comments on my work, so you can see how professional writers work.

Download notes on Jokatawrobys

Katie, Joseph Ward, Harry and Chloe created a back story, they paid attention to different senses and they invented a cool word. I particularly liked the fact that their character is closely modelled on the species it belongs to. It's important that we build on existing ideas, as well as creating new ones.

Moving on to highlights from the rest of the work by this class:

I know I set the task of designing a good lumipoo momp, but let's face it, they're deadly, spiky ducks that like to charge at people - how could such a thing ever be a goodie? Fortunately, Jo W, Kathryn, Harrison C and Natalie have come up with the perfect explanation:

'When Bob was a only a mere mompling (still in his momp egg) his brother mistook him for a ping pong ball and batted him almost into orbit. After landing back on solid ground, he rolled and rolled until finally a little old lady picked him up thinking it was a boiled egg. Just as she was about to take her first bite, Bob and his tiny head popped out. Since lumipoo momps only get their spikes when the reach the grand old age of 7, Bob was still rather cute and had found himself a new home. The old lady looked after him until he was old enough to look after himself- that’s why he isn’t like the other lumipoos.'

I love the word 'mompling'. I love the mix up with the ping pong ball. I love the mental image of Bob's tiny head poking out. Basically, I love this back story! It's not only creative and funny, but it helps answer the question I've been pondering all week: 'How on earth would you get a good lumipoo momp?' Now I know.

Ben G, Leah, Alice & Britney gave their hero, Flabby Jab Jess, a fear of sand. They created an excellent backstory explaining the phobia.

'She despises sand – it’s one of her worst weaknesses. Many years ago when Flabby Jab Jess was young she and her family took a lovely holiday to the seaside. One day on the beach Jess had a near death experience she was nearly swallowed by quick-sand! It swallowed her to the floor, THUD! Luckily a scientist nearby was testing out some special medicine - whoever swallowed it would live with supernatural gymnastic powers, and to save herself, Jess took the medicine and fortunately survived.'

Ellie, Jake, Thomas & Harrison W also created a brilliant backstory for a phobia:

'For such an apparently brave and strong specimen – over 6.5 foot tall – it may surprise you to hear that Mr Waggy Boop is afraid of kittens. Although this fear of our feline friends could be due to the fact that it was a cat who chased into a massive bowl of toxic acid.'

Ha ha ha! D'ya think? No wonder the poor fella is afraid of cats. (By the way, neat use of the words 'kitten' and 'feline' to avoid using 'cat' too many times in one paragraph).

Fortunately, the toxic acid situation had its benefits:

'At first he floundered and thought he might drown, but he managed to crawl out of the liquid. Although safe, he started to glow a fluorescent green and feeling weird, and this was the start of his special abilities.'

Ben G, Leah, Alice & Britney remembered to make their hero occasionally cheat at races, which is good because flaws make a hero realistic.

'Flabby Jab Jess has super speed! She can run as fast as a cheetah which helps her catch the pesky Flabby Gobbles. This bit of a show off has been known to even use her special power to win running races – what a big cheat!'

Although, I have to say, I prefer Flabby Jab Jess's way of winning a race to that of Tregourious, by Sam, Levi, Lewis, Finlay, Charlie & Drew:

'One of his sporting addictions is running a marathon; he always wins because he squashes the other people who are racing.'

Goodness me!

Samah, Ben L, Lucy & Lily have thought of a way to make the children who bully tigs seem even more vile:

'These horrible boys are slobs and real meanies - they always, always wear stripes. This is because Tiggy has developed a terrible phobia of zebras and anything striped related.'

If I were a Tig, I'd be terrified. (And then I'd eat them all with ketchup!)

I like the way that Sam, Levi, Lewis, Finlay & Charlie described the treghorned crusher's transformation ability.

'When he is happy he disguises himself as a beautiful, majestic lady, smelling of strawberry perfume. The hunters are attracted to the lady (the monster in disguise), and ‘she’ gobbles them up! As the hunters get closer Tregourious gets more beautiful, luring them into the trap.'

However, I'm not sure that Tregourious sounds very heroic.

I thought that Gloop Bloop (the hero by Lexi, Callum, Becki & Megan) was very interesting, but didn't really fit what we already know about Tubster's of Terror. As the weeks progress, we need to build on what we've already decided, as well as coming up with new ideas.

However, I think Lexi, Callum, Becki and Megan should write their own story, featuring Gloop Bloop because she sounds fascinating. If there isn't time, a Gloop Boop poem would be very funny.

Click here for even more ideas of things to do with spare monster species.

Thanks to Mrs Hamilton's class for all their hard work.