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She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein
On the bicentennial of Frankenstein, join Mary Shelley on the night she created the most frightening monster the world has ever seen.
On a stormy night two hundred years ago, a young woman sat in a dark house and dreamed of her life as a writer. She longed to follow the path her own mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, had started down, but young Mary Shelley had yet to be inspired.
As the night wore on, Mary grew more anxious. The next day was the deadline that her friend, the poet Lord Byron, had set for writing the best ghost story. After much talk of science and the secrets of life, Mary had gone to bed exhausted and frustrated that nothing she could think of was scary enough. But as she drifted off to sleep, she dreamed of a man that was not a man. He was a monster.
This fascinating story gives readers insight into the tale behind one of the world's most celebrated novels and the creation of an indelible figure that is recognizable to readers of all ages.
On a stormy night two hundred years ago, a young woman sat in a dark house and dreamed of her life as a writer. She longed to follow the path her own mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, had started down, but young Mary Shelley had yet to be inspired.
As the night wore on, Mary grew more anxious. The next day was the deadline that her friend, the poet Lord Byron, had set for writing the best ghost story. After much talk of science and the secrets of life, Mary had gone to bed exhausted and frustrated that nothing she could think of was scary enough. But as she drifted off to sleep, she dreamed of a man that was not a man. He was a monster.
This fascinating story gives readers insight into the tale behind one of the world's most celebrated novels and the creation of an indelible figure that is recognizable to readers of all ages.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2018
10 people are currently reading
1103 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Fulton
5 books10 followersI grew up in four different cities in three different Western states. I have a PhD in English, and I’ve worked as an insurance investigator, English teacher, and tutor.
I live in a 1960’s tract house in a small town near San Francisco. Its rooms are painted orange, green, and blue, with dog hair and dust bunnies drifting into the corners. In these rooms I write stories, weave tapestries, paint pictures, and try to decide what’s for dinner.
I live in a 1960’s tract house in a small town near San Francisco. Its rooms are painted orange, green, and blue, with dog hair and dust bunnies drifting into the corners. In these rooms I write stories, weave tapestries, paint pictures, and try to decide what’s for dinner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
April 10, 2019
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 does explain which parts of the story where made up, I can see why some parts where added to make an interesting story but I think I would have preferred this to have stuck to actual events. A very absorbing read though and highly recommended.
November 20, 2018
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:
She Made a Monster is an inspired introduction to both Mary Shelley and the story of Frankenstein. This book came to my attention thanks to The New York Times' annual list of the best illustrated children's books. Highly recommended.
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 night sky.
"Women the equals of men? What a monstrous thought!" people had said about her mother's ideas. And for Mary Wollstonecraft to write them was even more monstrous. Women were not supposed to have ideas of their own, let alone publish them!
"Nature might have very good reasons for keeping her secrets," she thought. "Besides, what would happen to that 'lifeless matter' once someone had given it life?" The men did not seem to care. They only asked if something could be done --never if it should.
[from the Author's Note]
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is not the same as the story most people know from the movies. Unlike the square-headed Hollywood monster with bolts in his neck, the creature in Mary's book can speak, and even read. He is lonely and longs to be part of a family, but because of his frightening appearance, he is hated and rejected by everyone, even his creator. When we envision Frankenstein's creature only as the inarticulate, raging monster of stage and screen, we lose sight of Mary's message that hatred and prejudice can turn something innocent into something murderous.
She Made a Monster is an inspired introduction to both Mary Shelley and the story of Frankenstein. This book came to my attention thanks to The New York Times' annual list of the best illustrated children's books. Highly recommended.
February 7, 2023
The story behind the story - art is fantastic! Always like to learn the story behind the story; Frankenstein has become such a part of our culture - to this day there are still 'Frankenclones' coming out every year! Took me a long time to understand who the real 'monster' was - and that is one aspect that makes this book a relevant classic to this day.
August 31, 2023
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 scene where she imagines her mother, Wollstonecraft, in the process of writing the novel). I don’t have an issue with this however because as narrative nonfiction, it is a reasonable speculation to make based on the facts we have. It’s not unlikely that she would have thought of her mother, whose (literary) legacy she so strongly grew up alongside in that moment. While we cannot know exactly what went through her mind as she wrote Frankenstein, I think ”She made a monster” does a fine job of capturing Mary Shelley’s spirit and especially introducing young readers to her story.
September 29, 2024
Now while I have generally found Lynn Fulton's 2018 picture book biography 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 scenario of Mary Shelley remembering instances of scientists using electricity on the dead to involuntarily move their limbs, and last but not least, Mary Shelley's dream of an animated artificially created creature visiting her bedroom), well, after reading the author's note and realising that while Lynn Fulton has generally kept to the 1831 introduction of Frankenstein, where Mary Shelley tells her readers exactly how her monster story came to be, that episode in She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein of Mary looking at a portrait of her deceased mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, seems to have been entirely imagined by the author, this fact has certainly taken a considerable portion of the proverbial shine away from my potential reading pleasure regarding She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein.
For not only am I entirely not in agreement with Lynn Fulton's claim that it is somehow important to mention Mary Shelley's mother, Mary Wollstonecraft (and that she died in childbirth) in She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein (and really, if you are going to be writing a picture book biography or even a picture book memoir or biographical interlude, you should in my opinion keep to the truth and to reality as much as possible and not add fictional musings and inclusions simply because you happen to feel like it), that entire episode of Mary Shelley thinking about her deceased mother to calm herself (and by looking at her portrait) after having listened to Percy Brysshe Shelley (her future husband) talking about electrical animation of corpses really does at least to and for me read as more or less tacked on so to speak, as though Lynn Fulton just personally needed to have Mary Wollstonecraft also make an appearance in She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein come what may.
Combined with the fact that although I do realise Felicita Sala's accompanying illustrations totally capture and mirror the atmosphere of doom, gloom, mystery and creepiness of Lynn Fulton's narrative, of the presented storyline of She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein, personally and aesthetically, Sala's pictures are simply much too freaky and yes even visually frightening to and for my eyes. And indeed, if I had encountered She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein as a child or even as a tween, while I would not likely have had any issues whatsoever with Lynn Fulton's printed words, with her presented text frightening me or creeping me out, the same would likely not have been the case with Felicita Sala's artwork, that especially the pictures of the various monsters inhabiting the pages of She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein and that many of the gentlemen telling their stories and anecdotes often are depicted with rather tentacle and claw like fingers, that would probably have given me nightmares.
For not only am I entirely not in agreement with Lynn Fulton's claim that it is somehow important to mention Mary Shelley's mother, Mary Wollstonecraft (and that she died in childbirth) in She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein (and really, if you are going to be writing a picture book biography or even a picture book memoir or biographical interlude, you should in my opinion keep to the truth and to reality as much as possible and not add fictional musings and inclusions simply because you happen to feel like it), that entire episode of Mary Shelley thinking about her deceased mother to calm herself (and by looking at her portrait) after having listened to Percy Brysshe Shelley (her future husband) talking about electrical animation of corpses really does at least to and for me read as more or less tacked on so to speak, as though Lynn Fulton just personally needed to have Mary Wollstonecraft also make an appearance in She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein come what may.
Combined with the fact that although I do realise Felicita Sala's accompanying illustrations totally capture and mirror the atmosphere of doom, gloom, mystery and creepiness of Lynn Fulton's narrative, of the presented storyline of She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein, personally and aesthetically, Sala's pictures are simply much too freaky and yes even visually frightening to and for my eyes. And indeed, if I had encountered She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein as a child or even as a tween, while I would not likely have had any issues whatsoever with Lynn Fulton's printed words, with her presented text frightening me or creeping me out, the same would likely not have been the case with Felicita Sala's artwork, that especially the pictures of the various monsters inhabiting the pages of She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein and that many of the gentlemen telling their stories and anecdotes often are depicted with rather tentacle and claw like fingers, that would probably have given me nightmares.
October 2, 2018
I liked that this book did not try to tell her entire life's story but focused on her writing of Frankenstein.
November 12, 2020
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 1818).
** - it came about as a response to a ghost-story challenge with some very famous men.
** - modern renditions often miss her larger point: "Unlike the square-headed Hollywood monster with bolts in his neck, the creature in Mary's book can speak, and even read. He is lonely and longs to be part of a family, but because of this frightening appearance, he is hated and rejected by everyone, even his creator. When we envision Frankenstein's creature only as the inarticulate, raging monster of stage and screen, we lose sight of Mary's message that hatred and prejudice can turn something innocent into something murderous."
The book was well-received and even pulled parents into the zoom meeting. The writing and art are very helpful and support the story well.
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 1818).
** - it came about as a response to a ghost-story challenge with some very famous men.
** - modern renditions often miss her larger point: "Unlike the square-headed Hollywood monster with bolts in his neck, the creature in Mary's book can speak, and even read. He is lonely and longs to be part of a family, but because of this frightening appearance, he is hated and rejected by everyone, even his creator. When we envision Frankenstein's creature only as the inarticulate, raging monster of stage and screen, we lose sight of Mary's message that hatred and prejudice can turn something innocent into something murderous."
The book was well-received and even pulled parents into the zoom meeting. The writing and art are very helpful and support the story well.
July 19, 2022
A fun, haunting picture book about how Mary Shelley came up with the story of Frankenstein. The text is descriptive and the book is a little longer than other picture books. That, combined with the the historical distance of the story, makes me wonder how this book is received by children. I, as an adult, did enjoy it, however. The author’s note in the back shows that the author did take some creative liberties, but it’s still pretty informative. And the illustrations were spooky and beautiful. This would be a good Halloween read.
October 31, 2018
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 matter' once someone had given it life?" The men did not seem to care. They only asked if something could be done- never if it should.
While staying at Lord Byron's beautiful home in Switzerland, Mary Shelley is involved in a ghost story writing competition with the other men in the house (including Byron and Percy Shelley). Mary is stuck, thinking over ideas for a ghost story...she then overhears the men talking, voices booming about "scientific experiments, their favorite topic", of how electricity was used to "make a dead frog kick its legs!", and how "man will conquer nature". Mary wonders at the men's proclamations and is unnerved, later laying awake and thinking about monsters, vampires, ghosts and even of loneliness. As lightning illuminates the room Mary is in, she sees her "reflection...pale and strange, like something dead restored to life" in a mirror before her. With increasing intensity, unsettling thoughts and images burst forth in Mary's mind; vividly imagining a creature strapped on a table, of a creature brought to life... of her as the creator of a monster that wants something from her...who is now pulling back the curtains to Mary's room, searching for her, needing something, until...Mary sits up, no monster in sight, and the bud for what is to be Frankenstein is born. Fulton's writing and presentation of the story is so enticing here, giving time to the fascinating cerebral workings Mary might have experienced, building great tension by articulating Mary's fears and discomforts that her racing imagination seizes onto. Sala's artwork is gorgeous and terrifically forbidding when the story calls for it; the washes of rich and murkier tones contrasting so perfectly with eerie paleness, close ups or Mary and the monster juxtaposed with more hazy, distant imaginings.
Overall a fantastic picture book biography with Lynn Fulton's memorable storytelling matched by Felicita Sala's beautifully ambient illustrative work. There is insight offered through the narrative, touching upon everything from female writers being, historically, largely brushed off to Mary's thoughts on men's disturbingly cavalier approaches to conquering nature. A note here that it may be inevitable that comparisons will be made between this title and the recently released Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein. However, I will say this: not only is each book incisive, marvelous and unique on its own merits, but also: yes, please to having more terrific books for younger readers about the life and work of Mary Shelley! For readers interested in learning about Mary Shelley with an introduction to her and her groundbreaking work, She Made a Monster is an excellent pick. This title, like Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein, is also a great children's selection to suggest to readers who love exploring picture book biographies and/or non-fiction titles about the lives of trailblazing women- along the lines of Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13, Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova, Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles (illustrated by Felicita Sala!), or Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
October 5, 2018
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 without the rakish poets, though. Eh, actually they can come along.
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 without the rakish poets, though. Eh, actually they can come along.
September 14, 2025
Incredible storytelling that weaves together so many ideas surrounding Mary Shelley and her monster. Felicita Sala’s illustrations are, as always, beautiful—rich, evocative, and perfectly matched to the text. This book is a treat for Halloween, but it’s just as inspiring any time you hit a wall and need a spark of creativity. A gorgeous blend of history, art, and imagination.
December 10, 2018
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 as a result. Ideally, they are enjoyed by those mainly looking at illustrations, but go beyond simple interest.
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 as a result. Ideally, they are enjoyed by those mainly looking at illustrations, but go beyond simple interest.
October 9, 2018
Fulton's first effort is a nonfiction picture book biography that focuses on the inspiration for Mary Shelley's writing of Frankenstein. It would be a great book to share with young writers about where writers find their ideas, how writers struggle with their writing, and how writers get past writers block and get their writing started. Narrowly focused on this part of her life, end notes provide additional information. A great addition to a classroom collection of books about authors and their writing processes and products.
December 20, 2018
I don't think it represented Mary Shelley and the story's creation well; the author admits to changing several things and making others up. I'm not sure the actual story works well for children, so that may be just as well, but I don't think such a specific circumstance was necessarily the best choice for examining the creative process.
November 25, 2018
Though elements of this book are true, there are a number of details that the author changed for her story and notes these in her author's note. As a result, I am not labeling this under my NF-2018 category.
September 9, 2018
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.
November 17, 2018
Such a darling book, with such wonderful illustrations! I love the images of Mary in bed, frightened by her own amazing imagination.
March 6, 2020
Absolutely glorious!
March 16, 2019
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.
October 11, 2022
I LOVED this book! So many opportunities to teach critical thinking! My favorite page said, "Mary shook her head as she listened. "Nature might have very good reasons for keeping her secret," she thought. "Besides, what would happen to that 'lifeless matter' once someone had given it life?" The men did not seem to care. They only asked if something could be done-never if it should."
August 11, 2024
Currently, I am on a Mary Shelley and Frankenstein kick. I’ve been enjoying reading reimagining and retellings along with this read aloud. This one hit the spot for me, it was great to see illustrations that depicted the story of how Frankenstein came to Mary Shelley‘s mind. I’m not sure that students will gravitate towards this one since most of them won’t have that connection to the origin story. However, it would be good for narrative nonfiction, or introducing people of history.
April 15, 2021
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.
November 1, 2018
This biography is nicely done, but it lacks the creepiness and visual punch of Linda Bailey's Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein.
October 1, 2018
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 kernel of an idea grew. It must have been hard to be the daughter of a woman whose writings were so influential. The back matter includes an Author's Note that provides additional background to the story while pointing out that many modern interpretations of her book miss its points about humanity and compassion and the hubris of some humans. The illustrations, created with watercolor, ink, and colored pencil, effectively thrust readers into Mary's world and her mind as she imagined this story, drawing from various influences and personal experiences. Perhaps this book will prompt some readers to seek out the original one when they are a little bit older. I don't know how many young readers will have read her book, but many of them will have heard references to Frankenstein's monster, and now they will know the rest of the story. Readers looking for details about Shelley's life won't find them here as this is the story of the book she wrote and not so much about her. This seems to be a great year for Frankenstein since it is the book's bicentennial publication date.
June 8, 2019
She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein, by Lynn Fulton, tries to put the Frankenstein origin story into a framework understandable for children. In the process, Fulton has admittedly fudged some details; and while it would be possible to forgive her that license, the resulting story would have to be very good. Sadly, it isn’t especially good and only seems to serve a personal agenda. In the end, the book could be called Mary Shelley Has a Bad Night because the only “creating” we see or read about reveal poor Mary on the verge of doing some writing, thanks to a cover illustration by Felicita Sala which is repeated later in the book with slight variation. I would have much preferred that the story went further - to Mary’s reading her ghost story to her friends, their reaction, and if we’re to be left on the brink of anything let it be as the story is about to be first printed or published, for it’s really at that point that the monster Shelley created is recognized as monstrous. Sala’s illustrations are very effective given the solitary note Fulton hits on in this too brief, too specific take on what is truly an important literary milestone.
April 5, 2018
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 the stormy evening/night that this book is set in.
Although a picture book, this book in my opinion is probably best suited to a slightly-older-than-picture-book age children and I would say that even middle and high schoolers could get something from it.
Although a picture book, this book in my opinion is probably best suited to a slightly-older-than-picture-book age children and I would say that even middle and high schoolers could get something from it.
June 18, 2020
Edit: Reread today back-to-back with Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein and I still prefer that one. This is worth a read as well, though! :)
Original review: This is a very straightforward tale of how/why Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, and it's good. But I thought Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein, also released last year, was just heads and tails better-- more concise, more atmospheric. While this feels like a good kid's NF, the other feels like art.
One thing that's interesting to me, though, is that neither of the books mention the eruption of Mount Tambora (i.e. The Year Without Summer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_Wi...) and how it added atmosphere to the whole endeavor. It just seems like such an interesting detail to leave out! Shrug.
Original review: This is a very straightforward tale of how/why Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, and it's good. But I thought Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein, also released last year, was just heads and tails better-- more concise, more atmospheric. While this feels like a good kid's NF, the other feels like art.
One thing that's interesting to me, though, is that neither of the books mention the eruption of Mount Tambora (i.e. The Year Without Summer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_Wi...) and how it added atmosphere to the whole endeavor. It just seems like such an interesting detail to leave out! Shrug.
November 18, 2018
Mary Shelley wants to be a writer, but has not come up with an idea for a story. While thinking of a story for a writing contest she and her friends are having, she grows more and more anxious. During the night, she dreams of a story about a monster, and her Frankenstein story is created.
A spooky tale of how Mary Shelley came up with the idea for Frankenstein. This book uses some creative license to make the story work, but the Author's Note at the end does give additional details about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Dark, and a little creepy, illustrations.
A spooky tale of how Mary Shelley came up with the idea for Frankenstein. This book uses some creative license to make the story work, but the Author's Note at the end does give additional details about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Dark, and a little creepy, illustrations.
June 1, 2019
First of all, the art in this would have creeped me out as a kid, but it is very fitting for the story. Overall, this is an enjoyable and age-appropriate telling of the origins of Mary Shelley’s work. But, and this is a big but, IT ISN’T TRUE. The author states that she has taken liberties with what happened, and that’s fine for a fiction book, but not for a book that purports to be an account of a true event. So that bugged the heck out of me, especially since it isn’t mentioned until the author’s note at the very end.
November 17, 2018
How did Mary Shelley learn the alphabet? By tracing the letters on her mother's tombstone, that's how. If this information squicks you out, then this is probably not the children's book for you. It's an intriguing, atmospheric combination of history, literature, science fiction, horror, and feminism. The art is creepily effective. The text is somewhat challenging--maybe on purpose so that kids will share this book with an adult instead of reading it solo.
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