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This is a stunningly illustrated biography of Mary Shelley’s creation of the infamous novel Frankenstein, for young readers. Having said that, I think it’s a book that could appeal as well to adult readers in the superb art and its gothic tone, so well-fitting to Shelley’s own dramatic life story and her creations. The author of this book mainly bases the narration on an introduction to Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley, but has also taken some artistic liberties in details (particularly the
Great picture book for kids showing the night Mary Shelley was inspired to write Frankenstein. Nice layout of pictures and style of easy print. Excellent inspiration for the younger readers to help them pursue reading this early Sci Fi/Horror novel by a - gasp - woman!
One of my favorite children’s books!! Teaches children about the thought that’s put into developing stories with a subtlety yet impactful exploration of themes including death, patriarchy, medical ethics and feminism. My son has read it at least five times a day since we got it from the library and also asked to talk to his grandparents about it after he read it. Very impressed with this author.
The story behind the story - art is fantastic!
Now while I have generally found Lynn Fulton's She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein atmospheric enough and certainly capturing the oppressive mood (both geographically, climatically and spiritually, esoterically) that caused Mary Shelley to come up with the themes and storyline for her famous 1818 novel Frankenstein (the constant rain and lighting, the contest suggested by Lord Byron as to who could write the best and most thrilling ghost story, the scenarios of Mary Shelley...
It's astonishing to consider how young Mary Shelley was when she came up with the idea for the book that would become a classic, a story that would last more than 200 years. This picture book describes the inspiration for her tale and how she envisioned someone bringing another person to life. Readers will feel her frustration at not being able to come up with an idea for a story while the rest of her friends already had theirs in mind, and they will also relate to her growing excitement as the
The story of how Mary Shelley came up with her idea for Frankenstein is an interesting and well written story. The story was fascinating, the writing poetic and gave a good insight to the time the story is set with the current views and interests of people. The story might be a little scary in places for young children but a great read for older children and adults. The illustrations are amazing, I'm a huge fan of this illustrator. There is some factual information at the back of the book, this
Absolutely glorious!
An extremely solid 4.75 rounded up to a 5. I very much enjoyed the retelling of Mary Shelley’s story. It presents her as a strong woman, one who quite literally dreams up a ‘horror’ story whilst holidaying with her friends. Lynn Fulton’s words and story are well thought through and very well presented and I love the flourishes she gives Mary to make her more real to a younger audience . Felicita Sala’s art is beautiful and adds wonderfully to the darkness of the Frankenstein’s Monster tale and t...
4.5 stars "Now Mary snapped her locket shut. She wanted to prove that her mother was right! A woman's writing could be just as important as a man's." She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein written by Lynn Fulton and illustrated by Felicita Sala is a beautifully told and strikingly illustrated picture book biography that explores key moments in Mary Shelley's young life and the events leading up to the writing of Frankenstein. "...what would happen to that 'lifeless...
Beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations. Would be a perfect gift for any Frankenstein and/or Mary Shelley fan. Definitely buy the physical copy and not kindle version.
Such a darling book, with such wonderful illustrations! I love the images of Mary in bed, frightened by her own amazing imagination.
Featured in a grandma reads session.In my reading group I have Littles and Bigs - and the Bigs are starting to cut their teeth on Sci Fi and Fantasy. When I found She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein, I was excited to get this under their eyes for a number of reasons.** - to make sure they understood that science fiction has been around a long time. ** - it was first brought to them by a young woman (she was 20 when Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus was published in 181...
This is a marvelous children's book about Mary Shelley. The story focuses on her inspiration for the novel Frankenstein, but it's also a good introduction to the biases that women faced two hundred years ago.The illustrations are gothic and gorgeous, and for being a children's book, there were some great quotes:All around her she felt the power of words, and she hoped that someday she too would write something important. Something that would hit the world like a bolt of lightning splitting the n...
I have to admit, I don't know that much about Mary Shelley, and am going to research her a bit more after reading this. However, it bothers me when a book is pitched as nonfiction, only to find out that some of the writing is "invented" or "imagined." Yes, the author acknowledges it, but it still bothers me.The book seems to fit the current trend of having substantial back matter, so as to raise the book above simply a picture book. The age range for books like this have become somewhat blurred
I liked this well enough, but prefer Linda Bailey's Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein. This one focuses primarily on the immediate events leading up to the writing of the novel, while Bailey's book provides information about Mary Shelley from the time when was a small child. I appreciate that Fulton's book provides more background information about the beginning science of electricity and the important role of Mary Shelley's mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman...
I liked that this book did not try to tell her entire life's story but focused on her writing of Frankenstein.
I honestly feel like this story could be too spooky for kids, but it was perfect for me, an adult who apparently reads children's books now because I never realized how good they can be. Beautiful art and great touching-upon of the infamous summer trip in which Frankenstein was created. I loved the nod to Mary's badass mom Mary Wollstonecraft, and the gloomy, spooky atmosphere the art and story created. Kind of made me want to go hide out in a chateau and write by candlelight, you know? Maybe wi...
This biography is nicely done, but it lacks the creepiness and visual punch of Linda Bailey's Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein.
I enjoyed reading how Mary Shelley came up with her famous story. Important to note the author does say there are parts of the story she added because of her own discretion.