Unleash Your Creative Monster by Andy Jones, illustrations by Olaf Falafel, review by Lynda Waterhouse

 The book is billed as a children’s guide to writing. But the creative monster on the title page holds a piece of paper in its paws which boldly states, ‘This book will definitely 100% make you a better writer, I personally guarantee it’.

I agree. This book is packed full of advice, tips and writing prompts FOR EVERYONE. As the blurb states ‘this book contains essential skills for storytellers, the secret weapons of successful authors , and over 50 prompts and exercises to inspire not only young writers but old and gnarled ones like me too’.

The book is split into four sections: Training your creative monster, Monster mistakes, When your Monster gets stuck, and Feeding your creative monster. You don’t have to follow it from section to section, it’s designed for dipping into.

The first exercise invites you to create your own creative monster and give it a name. It suggests keeping your name secret because the mystery – that secret bond between writer and monster - is part of it power. Some monsters do reveal their names as Olaf’s illustrations point out and that is OK too.

On every page, Olaf Falafel’s illustrations make you smile, illuminate the concepts, and at times reassure you. For instance the scary wind–up monkey says, ‘I wouldn’t say I’m evil but I do eat beans straight from the tin’.

It is not patronising or dull. The muses are mentioned, rich vocabulary is used, and grammar and literary concepts are explained with clarity and warmth. You will find an explanation of Chekhov’s gun and quotes from Stephen King and Neil Gaiman. It shows you how to create FSPs (Fantastic Story Possibilities) and to play with metaphors but to mix them at your peril! It encourages you to make mistakes, because at least you are making something, and to write fearlessly. There is advice on how to start and run your own writers’ group and support on drafting and editing your work. The editing checklist is brilliant. The pages of advice on adding rhythm and variety to your sentences are the best!

The book emphasises the importance of developing your own style and reminds us that, ‘There are a lot of so-called “rules” for writing, but rules are like eggs. Not everyone likes them, some are bad, and all of them were made to be broken’.

A creative monster should visit every school in the land and deliver a copy to each classroom, but only after making the head teacher say ‘bum glue’ three times in morning assembly.

ISBN 978-1-4063-9662-1

www.walker.co.uk

@AllYourMonsters

 

Trixie Pickle Art Avenger by Olaf Falafel, review by Lynda Waterhouse

I’m a grump who tends to avoid so-called ‘funny’ books. All too often they are written by celebrity authors and they don’t make me laugh. I dislike the lazy notion that just by saying bottom, fart or puke you are onto a winner. But this really isn’t another trashy fart book. It has brilliant characters, a strong plot and it makes this ancient grump laugh every time she reads it.

There are celebrity endorsements on the cover from Matt Lucas and Joe Lycett, but I was powerless to resist the rat holding up a banner saying ‘Don’t buy this book’.

 As someone who works in art galleries, the notion of Trixie Pickle being an Art Avenger intrigued and appealed. Throughout the book there are Fact Files providing information on artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Bridget Riley, Keith Haring, Invader, Anish Kapoor, Chris Ofili, and Banksy.

At the start of the story, twelve year old Trixie Pickle thinks that art sucks and who can blame her with an art teacher like Mr Woodhouse. He rips us comics! Her aunt takes her to an art exhibition, not in a gallery but in a disused warehouse, featuring street artists.

The thing I like most about Banksy is that he uses art to stick up for people who don’t have a voice. Also he isn’t afraid to ridicule people in power …its like he’s an art superhero, and that gave me an idea.

Inspired by various artists, Trixie becomes an Art Avenger taking on bullies, fast drivers and stupid school rules that stop girls from playing sport. Every page is filled with Olaf’s hilarious illustrations.

Trixie’s best friend is Beeks; ‘He lives two doors down and he’s my best friend, although sometimes you wouldn’t know it. It all depends whereabouts on the Friendship Frisbee™.’  The Friendship Frisbee™ is one of my favourite illustrations in the book.

This book is a perfect blend of slapstick humour, fun facts and great characters who are both comic and embody real conflict and anxieties that we all face.

A story that is both funny and wise is a hard act to pull off. And you even get a Bum-Faced Snails comic strip thrown in at the end.

ISBN 978-8-241-53764-0

www.penguin.co.uk