In Honor of Friday the 13th, introducing the spookiest, spectacular storybook featured in this week’s MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“How to Catch a Monster” by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton

Book Synopsis and Review

Before going to bed, there’s one more task our heroine must complete. Decked in ninja attire and armed with newfound courage, this little ninja ventures into one of the most dangerous realms known to young children: the closet *at night.* She’s out to catch a monster, and won’t rest until she has! However, even with a backpack full of tricks and traps, this little ninja will find out catching monsters is no easy feat. But… what if this monster isn’t so scary after all? What is this monster never meant to scare her, but instead, just wanted to… play? It just may be possible that in this monster closet land, our heroine may find the best surprise of all!

Another fun, rhyming read aloud, this book is a great read for children who’ve ever been frightened of monsters under the bed or in their closet. I know I was definitely scared of what could be lurking under my bed when I was younger. I wasn’t brave enough to catch any monsters back then, but maybe if I had read this book, my monster-fearing days could have come to an abrupt end! The perfect tale for inspiring bravery, this bright and boldly illustrated book takes children into the realm of monsters ~a world of volcano pies and ninja-nabbing slime~ only to reveal that what may have been a scary place with frightening creatures, is really a welcoming land of fluffy friends~* Children will be scrambling to find their monster friends, all fears of fanged creatures vanquished after this inspiring read!

Vocabulary List

• Courage (p. 4) bravery, not scared
• Nabbing (p. 11) grabbing
• Massive (p. 20) huge
• Whiff (p. 21) sniff
• Volcano (p. 25) a tall mountain with a crack or opening at the top where hot lava is

Themes/Main Ideas

• Courage: Things aren’t always as scary as they seem.
• Friends come in all shapes and sizes! Even *monster-size*

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading Read Aloud of “How to Catch a Monster” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Currently Unavailable~*

Check here for additional interactive read alouds! MaiStoryBook Youtube Channel!

Subscribe: MaiStoryBook Channel for additional read aloud videos!

Ninja-Nabbing Slime Activity

Friday the 13th~ a day of ominous omens and furtive second glances~* I remember the reels of bad luck and tales of terror that would circulate my elementary classrooms, whispered into each other’s ears as we squirmed in our seats, attempting miserably to concentrate on the lesson at hand. Today was the day to *beware!* Swerve from ladders, run away fast from black cats, make extra sure NOT to step on the sidewalk cracks! Anyone else remember the classic superstitions?? In honor of this spooky day, what better way to celebrate  than with an equally spooky, spectacular, slippery, slimy activity? Be prepared for an afternoon of eyeballs, glittery spunk, and some ooey gooey, ninja-nabbing slime! Perfect for catching monsters~ especially since they’ll definitely be out lurking tonight! *Friday the 13th is their Monster Bash after all*

*Note: This is a very hands-on *get-your-hands-dirty* kinda activity~ so prepare for some mess!

Materials

• corn starch
• water
• food coloring
• googly eyes
• glitter
• large mixing bowl

Super Simple Slime Directions

• Pour about 1 cup of corn starch into the mixing bowl
• Slowly pour in water, mixing the substance with *your hands*
  • using hands will allow you to test for the consistency
  • you will know you have the right consistency when you are able to pick up a solid form of slime

• Add food coloring of your choice as you mix.
• After achieving the right consistency, add in googly eyes and/or glitter for a spooky effect!

Enjoy your Ninja Nabbing Slime!

• The substance you have created is called oobleck. As you may have observed, if you squeeze or punch and apply pressure to the substance, it will feel solid. If you slowly dip your hand into the substance or loosen your grip, it will act and feel like a liquid. Prompt your child to try try squeezing and picking up a piece of solid slime, and then loosening their grip to watch it ooze from their fingers like a liquid. Perfect opportunity to bring in some science talk about solids and liquids.
• Pretend to oobleck is your own ninja-nabbing net and talk about al the different things you can catch with it!
• Re-read the story with this tangible slime reading buddy~children will love playing with the goo while a re-reading occurs~*

*~Overall, Have FUN with this Friday the 13th, spooky slime activity with your child! Please comment below  – tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary  – or post on FaceBook to share your photos of your own Ninja Nabbing Slime and read aloud adventures ! I’d love to hear from you!~*

*Check Back on Next Friday for our New Reading Adventure*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*