Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at 200 – Story Sacks

Continuing our series of posts celebrating the bicentenary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, we present some ideas on constructing story sacks based around the book.

So just before we begin, I’ll start with as quick refresher of what is included in a story sack..

• A good quality fiction book, (picture book or novel)
• A non-fiction book related to the story and themes in the chosen picture book.
• Toys, (ideally a soft toy for younger children).
• A game or activity also related to the theme of the chosen fiction book.
• Optional worksheet based on the story and themes off the story sack.

So, we at SOTB have prepared some story sack for different ages younger readers, MG and YA, so we shall commence with younger readers.

Frankenstein Story Sack for Younger Readers

To start with we have an age appropriate version of the book the Usborne Young Readers version, and for non-fiction, we recommend this soon to be published much anticipated title, the non-fiction picture book Fanatically Great Woman who Made History by Kate Pankhurst which has a section about Mary Shelley. For toys we have swiped up reduced Halloween goods, with a soft toy Monster, clockwork monster and bouncing rubber balls eyes, plus a mask for role play. We’ve also slipped some edible brains.

Frankenstein Story Sack for Middle Grade Readers

For the Middle Grade readers, we have stuck with much of the same elements but swapping out the non-fiction for The Phoenix Comic Book: Corpse Talk Series One by Adam Murphy, who have a comic book strip on Shelley. We’ve also added a copy of one of our favourite MG Frankenstein inspired novels, Mo O’Hara’s My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish.

Frankenstein Story Sack for Young Adult Reader

So, YA readers are more advanced and mature, so for their story sack, we head with a copy of Mary Shelley’s original text of Frankenstein. For Nonfiction we have two options, a study guide which are readily available in your local bookshop, on line or frequently in charity shops, which gives you a greater understanding of the text if read in combination. 

The alternative non-fiction title is Making the Monster: The Science Behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein by Kathryn Harkup, to be published by Bloomsbury in February. This book promised to explore the science and feasibly of Shelley's creation, which should be interesting and be interesting to any teenagers interested in STEM disciplines. Keep an eye on the blog for upcoming review post of Making the Monster: The Science Behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein by Kathryn Harkup.

For the games entertainment element we thought that YA readers may enjoy watching a movie adaptation, so would recommend for younger Teen’s the DVD of the Universal 1931, James Whale directed Frankenstein with the classic Boris Karloff Monster. For more mature reader of 15 plus we would suggest the DVD of the most true adaptation, the 1994 Mary Shelley's Frankenstein with Kenneth Branagh at the helm and multitasking by taking on the role of Victor with Robert De Niro as the Monster.

Pop back to see our upcoming reviews of Making the Monster: The Science Behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein by Kathryn Harkup and Shell by Paula Rawsthorne!

WOW! Let’s Celebrate; Comics, Graphic Novels and Magazines! Stoplight on The Phoenix

Comics are tricky, the choice offered by supermarkets is limited and unless you are lucky enough to have a local comic store with dedicated and enthusiastic staff, where do you start? Well we thought long and hard and decided to have a spot light on The Phoenix.

In earlier WOW features we have mentioned The Phoenix, and many of our interviewed professionals have raved about it too, and so here is our review. The Phoenix is the second comic brainchild of David Fickling, its forefather DFC (David Fickling Comic) closed due to company changes (all for the better as David Fickling is now an independent publishers) and soon afterwards The Phoenix rose, proud and loud.

The Phoenix is bursting with colour character and the passion of which it is created oozes out of each and every page. Each feature is well written with exquisite full colour artwork by talented and well know writers and illustrators. This comic does what comic should do, grab you with the cover and demand to be read, not play second fiddle to a plastic toy.

The stories inside the page are varied with something for everyone (not exclusively children) from the manic madness of Jamie’s 'Bunny Vs Monkey', which is my eight year old sons favourite to the Fantastical capers of 'Tales of Fayt' by Conrad Mason and David Wyatt, which is a kind of Dickenson adventure with mythical beasts which is a favourite of my ten year daughter. My favourite (and it’s another of my daughters favoured features) is 'Corpse Talk', which is a talk show with host Adam Murphy, only he doesn't have a fancy leather sofa but prefers to lean on the shovel that he’s uses to dig up a famous or infamous corpses to interview. It is a funny parody of talk shows, and is amusing and yet educational in a way that kids don’t know there learning something which is genius!

Each feature has a unique story and accompanying art work, from Bunny v’s Monkey’s highly stylised illustrations reminiscent of Powder Puff Girls to the art works that have a more Manga feel like 'Tamsin in the Deep' by Neil Cameron and Kate Brown. 

Each week there is a How To Draw section, where there is a step by step guide to drawing characters from the magazine. There is a Fan Fare section where you can send in your own art work for consideration to be included, plus there are completions, which are all based on Phoenix features and characters and the prizes are merchandise or books which are all Phoenix based. There is NO ADVERTISING and you are not paying to have the latest blockbuster promoted to you either, so there are no distractions from the quality sequential narrative storytelling.

Another plus about The Phoenix is that if you like a certain strip or feature they have a whole library of bind-up graphic novels, which will keep small people entertained for hours. 

Another Phoenix presentation is the recently published; ‘How to Make Awesome Comics by the Phoenix regular contributor Neil Cameron. The book is a hands on DIY guide to creating comics with exercises and activities. Here is a child perspective…

How to Make Awesome Comic  - Child Review by Bea aged 10

In How to Make Awesome Comic there is lots of AMSOME stuff and thing to do such as, guides to draw zombies, penguins, vampire and many more. It tells you how to make funny characters. My favourite guide is monkey. The author is always giving you ideas and tasks they have inspired me to make my own comic, Green Girl V’s Zombies!