Dragon Jelly: A Halloween Book

by Claire Freedman, Sue Hendra (Illustrations)

Max is having a monster party. They play all sorts of yucky games then cool down in a fruitbat drool paddling pool! Then it's tea-time, with termite tarts, ear-wig rolls and eyeball birthday cake. But the real treat is the red-hot dragon jelly!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Monsters, Dragons, Halloween

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2014

About the author

I’ve been a writer for over 15 years now, but it wasn’t planned!

I had a variety of jobs, including secretary, trainee buyer at Harrods, dental nurse, production assistant in a reprographic and printing company and various others.

I began to write after joining a creative writing class. I had no success with article writing, or short stories, or fiction, but the first children’s story I wrote, for a magazine called Twinkle, was accepted for publication. Hooray!!!

Things snowballed and a lot (yes lots and lots) of hard work later I now write full time and have over 50 books published. I still go to the same writing class and we have become a big happy family of writers!

For me, writing is the best job ever. I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. I love to create worlds for young children to enjoy and escape into – whether the stories are educational, bedtime, problem solving or just plain good fun. It’s also very exciting to see the first picture roughs, as my wonderful, talented illustrators bring the text to life.

I live on the Essex coast in a lovely two-bed-roomed flat, which I share with my husband, Michael. At long last I have an office to write in, with room for all my books and bits of scribbled on papers.

The seafront is (still) just around the corner, and I find a bracing walk (it gets freezing when the East wind blows from the North Sea!) or gentle stroll when the weather is warmer, is great for clearing my head and mulling over story ideas.

- excerpted from her website

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good addition for monster story time fans. The story of Max the monster's birthday party. Lots of gross-out play and food. The rhythm and rhyme is a little forced, but the craziness of the story is enough fun to let it slide.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid sing-songy rhyme with plenty of gross details. Not really a big story though - just a monster birthday party and the associated treats. The illustrations are bright and cheerful, though - very friendly looking monsters.
Solid, but not exceptional. While not strictly a Halloween book, this could easily fit into a storytime at that time of year.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max is having a party and invites all his monster friends. They eat all kinds of nastiness and play all kinds of monster games. Rhyming text and fun illustrations along with a relatable story line (a birthday party) will make kids laugh and be a story time hit.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for storytime, silly and funny

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

So gross...my son loved it!

[melusine7]

Library book for Marcus

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 7 year old son loves this book and because he enjoys it so much it has helped his reading improve.

[Gladimore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was expecting more dragons.

[Christine Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Countdown to Kindergarten: Letter J

Cute enough story with great pictures, but a miss for the letter J. I might use this again for Monster Storytime.

[Thaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm…there is no value added from reading this book tbh. Just a fun party for the monsters ig.

[Alice (Children's Books Librarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story told in rhyme about a party filled with monsters and lots of goo. Simple but effective for a group storytime and around Halloween.

[Lisa Calvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm all about a good silly book with unconventional characters and slapstick expectations. I was immediately interested with a monster birthday party because it has a familiar aspect (birthday party) and takes it to the ridiculous (monsters!).

More at < href="http://www.bookishbroads.com/2015/04/... Broads

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a monster party and all the monsters are excited. There will be munchies such as Cockroach Chips and Dragon Jelly! There will be a gushy, slimy bouncy house and garbage bin hide and seek. And the best part is at the end of the night there will be a special parting gift for each. This silly look at what monsters do for fun is hysterical.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bright colors & rhymes involving monsters may capture the interest of some children, especially around Halloween. However, the story simply lists items the monsters eat and feels rather stagnant; a stark contrast to its vibrant colors. Not recommended.

[D.peabody · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bright colourful book with lovely rhymes. I am sure that little boys will love the grossness of it all but it did not appeal to me. A great read-aloud for Halloween perhaps.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too gelatinous.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent storytime read - Love Love Love!

[Kathy (Kindle-aholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a yucky monster party. Lots of colorful illustrations and yucky foods and party games (a mucky bounce house, for one). The kids of course, love everything mucky and gross, so they loved it.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some monsters have a party.

I thought this was a sweet / odd short story with some bizarre (but good) illustrations.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max is having a monster party. with lots of goolicious food, and plenty of party games. This rhyming yucky, icky, messy story is loaded with scary sights and sounds.

[Sam W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute rhythmic picture book about a monster's birthday party.