Category: Maker

Monster Mash

7/2/2019

My Big Bad Monster by A. N. Kang

What should one do when that first little niggling notion of self-doubt creeps into one's mind?

Author/illustrator A. N. Kang envisions this uncertainty as a monster. It begins as a tiny squiggle escaping from a young girl's line drawing. When she steps back to examine her finished art, the scrawl leaps off of the floor, confronting the artist and her finished work. The monster's mocking laugh shames the youngster and compels her to obliterate her drawing with dark scribbles.

The monster moves on, taking residence on her head with derogatory thoughts about her appearance, her performance in school, and her playmates. Each negative thought that the girl accepts feeds the monster and causes it to grow larger. The influence is so pervasive, that this sweet little girl is in danger of becoming a monster herself.

Quite by accident, she discovers a solution to her problem. Noise causes the monster to cower under the table. She wonders: what if she were to create a series of interesting sounds? Our inventive problem-solver sets to work with pipes and pans, bottles and spoons. Viola! She makes her own "spectacular” sound. The music is a welcoming invitation for others to join her in making music and making friends.

Kang uses expressive faces and an economy of words to tell the tale. The menacing squiggle of a monster contrasts with the girl's masses of red curls. As the monster grows, it covers the entire two-page spread. When music overpowers
negativity, the spunky little music-makers completely replace the monster and fill the pages with their unique sound effects.

My Big Bad Monster is a charming picture book celebrating overcoming destructive thinking and making one's own music.

Think Positive Picture Books

The Brain Storm by Linda Ragsdale Ill by Claudio Molina

Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: July 2, 2019 Publisher: Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1484728826

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Story Stork

11/27/2018

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Babies. Beautiful babies. Anticipating the arrival of an infant is often a joyful occasion. Creating handmade items for mothers expecting the arrival of a little one is one of life's pleasures

Here's the small "fish" shaped cap I knit for a newborn whose parents are aficionados of the seashore. I decided to make this a thematic gift and include a few other items related to fish. It proved to be a terrific idea.

I wondered: Could I create thematic baby gift packages featuring my handcrafted items? If so, what would I include?
The answer was simple: board books.
Viola! a small, actually a teeny tiny, cottage industry was created:
Story Stork
The premise: pair a board book with a handknit infant hat. I was in business. The knitting needles began to fly. I would match cute little head toppers with a charming board book that would be just the right size and shape for chubby hands.
Heads up. Hands down. This is one great gift idea!

Making and printing Story Stork tags to accompany each gift was the finishing touch.
I like the idea of giving books to expectant mothers. It's never too early to begin cultivating a love for books and stories.
Story Stork. Coming to a baby shower near you.

The Story Continues

After I moved to South Texas, warm woolen items became a bit more problematic. The summer heat presented the opportunity for Story Stork to branch out and create something new.
Embroidered little cotton shirts and onesies are better suited to this temperate climate.
It is fun to coordinate the gift wrap. I like to use pages from picture book galleys as wrapping paper. The excess paper strips make eye-popping decorative bows.
The Story Stork strikes again!

Bonus

Incorporating children's books into gifts doesn't need to be limited to gifts for babies. For many years I have participated in the Red Scarf Project, knitting red scarves to be included in care packages to foster care students.
I include a personalized gift tag that features Jon Klassen's art from the award-winning Extra Yarn. (Note on the card attributes the art.)