Francie Dillon: Literature for Children class presentation
Posted by admin | Filed under News
Last November, Colleen & Tim presented to professor, storyteller and singer, Francie Dillon’s Literature for Children class at California State University in Sacramento.
Francie Dillon (right) leading a class discussion.
We read the book to the class and spoke about the process of creating No Monster Here from concept to print and the unique collaborative relationship between the writer Colleen and illustrator Alyssa. It is rare when an author gets to not only choose their illustrator but work directly with them. This is one of the benefits of publishing a book yourself and we feel this collaborative approach is what helps make No Monster Here unique. It also allowed for Colleen and Alyssa to creatively weave educational concepts into the book.
We had a book give-away for students and passed along copies of our monster art project for them to use in their classrooms.
Colleen Presenting to the class. Literature for Children is televised on Sacramento Public Television as a part of their free education series.
Alyssa’s first book reading
Posted by alyssa | Filed under News
Alyssa reading to the children at Marian University preschool in Fond du Lac, WI.
Coloring!
Color Crayons
Finished Monster Art!
Last week we had Alyssa’s first couple of book readings of No Monster Here. She did two readings at the Marian University preschool in Fond du Lac, WI and then three readings at the UW Oshkosh preschool. “It was such a fun experience reading the book to the 2-4 year olds. They were really interested and excited about the book which made me really happy. All of them were looking for the monster. Too darling!” said Alyssa. Afterwords we did an activity with the kids where they got to draw what their idea of a monster is. They all had such great ideas. One kid drew a monster with 10 eyes, and another drew a monster holding a jar of mustard. Heh heh, craziness. We’ll share some more of their drawings soon in Monster Art.
Before No Monster Here
Posted by alyssa | Filed under News
In 2000, Alyssa Scholz Thomas and Andrea Learn created a stop motion animation entitled “Jacob’s Monster” for their animation class at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Jacob’s Monster was based on the story “Charlie and the Monster”, written by Colleen McGarvey Thomas, which was the inspiration for what No Monster Here is today.
Story by: Colleen McGarvey Thomas
Animators: Alyssa Thomas, Andrea Learn
Jacob: Hailey McGarvey
Joey: Taylor McGarvey
Monster: Jon Thomas
Bella Bru Event
Posted by alyssa | Filed under News
Bella Bru sponsored a No Monster Here event this week and made special monster cookies for the kids. They look yummy! What do you think?
No Monster Here on my mind
Posted by alyssa | Filed under News
Today Alyssa finished up designs for the activity cards that go along with the No Monster Here Pre-orders. Everyone who pre-orders the book before Nov 1st will get a set of cards. And after that we’ll be selling them as little card sets in the store. Whaja think?
Creative Endeavors Event & Book Pre-order signings
Posted by alyssa | Filed under News
Colleen was at “Creative Endeavors – Children’s Art Studio” this past weekend for a No Monster Here event. They did a book reading and an art activity with the kids. Lots of fun!
Colleen and Alyssa also spent a some time autographing books for those of you who pre-ordered. Look for your book in the mail early November! 
No Monster Here First Edition Completed
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Hear ye! Hear ye! No Monster Here is ready for reading. Our first edition book is complete and we will be ready to start shipping out copies November 1st.
Each box is 35 books. Here's a finished one.
Boxes of the books all wrapped up and ready to be shipped.
At the printer
Posted by alyssa | Filed under News
Here are some pics (with explanations) from the press check of No Monster Here.
1. The printer ran a few sheets for us to look over to see if the colors and registration look good. If we wanted a page to be a little more yellow or a little more magenta, then they would make the adjustments and print a few more sheets. They would do this until we were happy with the colors.
2. Here is the color scanner that would scan the color bars (you can see them in the first image on the bottom of the sheet). They do this to see exactly how dense the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks are printing. The scanner can also tell if the densities are the same consistently from the left side of the sheet to the right side of the sheet.
3. Another sheet that we’re checking over. When the book is bound all pages will be folded in half and then will be sewn down the side of the book 1/4 inch from the folded edge. So we needed to build in a little “cross-over” area (or gutter) down the middle of the page. You can see the “cross-over” area going down the middle of the monster’s face in this image. After it’s bound the gutter will disappear and the monster’s head will become perfectly aligned.
4. Part of the printing press. Each tower prints a different color, either Cyan, Magenta, Yellow or Black. Each tower holds a drum that holds a plate.
5. Here’s one of the 4 plates that was used to print the cover. I think this is the Black plate.
6. Here’s a stack of paper with one side printed already.
7. Now the stack of paper is starting to run through the press.
8. Here it is coming out the other side (after going through all the towers) all finished.
9. Here are all the pages stacked up after printing. They’ll sit here for a day or so to dry out. Then they will get cut and folded here at the printer. After that the folded pages head off to the bindery where they will get sewn and bound. And in about two weeks they will be finished books!
What age group is this book for?
Posted by Colleen | Filed under News
For the past few weeks, I’ve been telling people about our book. It’s been fun to see their reactions. One of the questions asked has been; “What age group is this book for?”
Actually, this is a book for all ages. Because it’s a story with suspense and humor, readers of all ages can enjoy it together. We all like to figure things out and we all like to get the joke. Our book is a read aloud picture book, which means it can be read to one child or a group of children. Picture books can be read to children of all ages. Reading to a baby helps develop language skills. Reading to preschoolers helps develop early literacy. And this book is great for beginning readers since the pictures help children figure out the words.
No Monster Here would be a great book for reader/response workshops. It could also read in adult assisted living programs to stimulate discussions and reminiscence. Good storytelling, illustration, suspense and humor are universally enjoyed by every age .
Special pre-order offer!
Posted by alyssa | Filed under News
Every pre-ordered book will come:
• Signed by the writer and illustrator
• Include a free set of character cards
To qualify for this special offer pre-order No Monster Here by
November 1, 2009.
Only $20.00 USD + $6.00 Shipping & Handling
Learn More >
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