Writing Children\’s Stories – Has anyone heard of the book, "Lamont, the Lonely Monster"?
Has anyone heard of the book, “Lamont, the Lonely Monster”?
yeah nd hear some brief of it tht makes me to read this book,
i m sure u will also like the book…
Lamont, the Lonely Monster is the book that I recall most vividly from my childhood. It?s the slim volume that I reach for every time I return to the home where I grew up. I still enjoy turning through the worn pages, and lifting the soft flaps of the Lift and Look Surprises to see what is lurking behind each of doors in Monster Mansion. Every time I?m home, I am thankful that there were no smaller Howells to tear up Lamont?s pages, and that my mother believes in keeping books forever. Lamont sits patiently on the shelf, waiting for me to return home, pick him up and read of his determined quest once again.
The story is a simple one: Lamont, the Lonely Monster, heads out into the world in search of a friend. And did you ever see a monster that looked as forlorn and sad as Lamont? Just look for a moment at his dejected posture on the cover; watch as that oversized tear threatens to roll down to his pouty monster underbite. While Lamont may be a distant cousin of the treacherous monsters that inhabit dark closets and the musty spaces beneath children?s beds, he isn?t at all scary. He?s such a sad and lonely monster that you will root for him, even when it seems doubtful that he will ever find a friend.
Once upon a time, there was a very lonely monster named Lamont. He was hairy and scary on the outside, like other monsters. On the inside, he was good and kind. More than anything else in the world, Lamont wanted a friend.
As we meet Lamont, he has taken his quest for friendship to a quiet suburban street. As Lamont is nearly the same size as the houses, his presence in the neighborhood causes quite a scene. Opening the Lift and Look window on this page reveals a young woman, screaming in terror as the misunderstood Lamont lumbers toward a quiet house. After knocking on seventy-seven doors and being turned away, he approaches a very friendly looking house. He knocks; a somewhat frightened, but genuinely polite and helpful little boy answers the door. Lamont tells the boy that he?s looking for a friend, and the boy refers him to the house at 13 Dreadful Drive. After all, the suburbs are really no place for monsters, and the boy believes that Lamont could have better luck at the haunted house across town.
Frustrated, Lamont makes his way over to the house at 13 Dreadful Drive. He is greeted at the door by Sam, the Sulky Skeleton. Sam has little interest in becoming Lamont?s friend, but he does allow Lamont to enter the house. He issues a stern warning, however?Watch out for Uriah the Heep! According to Sam, Uriah the Heep lives somewhere inside the dark interior of the house, and he is a vicious creature to be avoided and feared.
Lamont continues to make his way through the halls of the haunted house, searching behind doors and in cabinets (more Lift and Look Surprise opportunities!) for a friend. He meets a witch, a werewolf, and a many other creatures, but sadly, not one that wants to be his friend! Lamont grows increasingly frustrated and dejected, but never gives up on his desire for friendship. Although he becomes terribly frightened at the prospect of encountering Uriah the Heep, he continues searching for another creature that he can call a friend.
Eventually, deep in the darkest corner of the castle, Lamont opens a door and is pleasantly surprised by what happens to be behind it. He finally finds a friend?of course, it?s the much-maligned Uriah The Heep. Turns out that Uriah is lonely, too! Lamont and Uriah form a devoted friendship and head off into the sunset together. No kidding?the last page features Lamont the Lonely Monster walking arm-in-arm with Uriah the Heep, a blazing orange sunset lighting the page behind them.
The plot is nothing new or different, but it is sweet in its predictability. The illustrations are wonderful and expressive, with a late-sixties hippie sensibility. The drawings are slightly off-kilter pen filled in with soft, diverse watercolor-like detail. Monster Mansion is a purple and lavendar townhouse, looking just as if it was taken from a quiet San Francisco street.
This book was one of my favorites in my pre-school days, but the Lift and Look Surprises are hard for small fingers to open. Reading this book now, I?m shocked that I never ripped any of the surprise doors off completely. They are certainly delicate, and could be torn easily.
it's really a gud choice
Trying To Get You Child To Stop Stealing
by: Noel Swanson
Children steal for a variety reasons. Some steal for comfort, others to impress a group of friends, get back at their parents, or to get the things they want. Sometimes they steal just because it is exciting. Probably as many as one in four children have deliberately stolen something at some time. Most, of course, never do it again. But those who do, do so for one reason: it works. Whatever their core need: attention, money, or excitement, the stealing provides it for them.
Sometimes, the excitement generated by stealing is motivation enough. As many as one in four kids have stolen something – although most will never do it again.
Along with this, your main emphasis needs to be on promoting honesty. Use everyday events, such as stories from television or school, as a starting point for talking about honesty, integrity, and family morals.
The best way to prevent stealing from happening is to find another way to meet their needs. Once their needs are met, they won’t have to continue stealing.
Your primary emphasis is on promoting honesty. You can use everyday events, such as stories from television or school, to begin to instill the values of honesty, integrity, and family morals.
If you do catch them stealing, stay calm. Losing your temper will not help, and may even act as a reward for them. Secondly, do not tempt them to lie their way out of it.
Keep your eyes on your children. Catch them in the act of being good instead of focusing on when they are doing something wrong. Children respond to reward and praise for their little acts of honesty. This helps promote a culture of honesty in the home.
Give the stolen goods back to the owner, with the additional compensation and a heartfelt apology.
If taken from a stranger, confiscate the goods (perhaps hand them in at the police station) and impose a fine.
Bring the item back to the manager of the shop, school child, or teacher, along with some compensation and an apology.
If taken from a stranger, remove the items (perhaps hand them in at the police station) and impose a fine or loss of privileges.
If the item is no longer in the child’s possession and the money has been spent, ask the child to sell some of their own favorite items (even to you) to pay for them and the fine. Make sure what is sold is gone for good.
Another option that has an effect is to arrange for some “community service” for the theft victim or, if you don’t know their identity, for the family or neighbors.
The final point is to let it go once the event is over. Go back to work at rewarding right behavior and quit concentrating on the wrong. What we all should strive for continually promoting honesty. Your child isn’t your enemy, the dishonest behavior is.
–o0o–
Dr. Noel Swanson, Consultant Child Psychiatrist and author of The GOOD CHILD Guide, specializes in children’s behavioural difficulties and writes a free newsletter for parents. He can be contacted through his website: www.good-child-guide.com. This article is copyright. You are encouraged, however, to freely copy it provided this signature block is included without modification (other than the addition of your own affiliate link)
About The Author
Noel Swanson
If you could do with some tips about your children’s behaviors, take a look at Dr. Noel Swanson’s excellent website, http://www.good-child-guide.com/. He also has a free newsletter that is packed with free advice: parenting newsletter
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