amandabock's review
3.0
There’s a lot to like in this book, if you already know the rest of the story. There are nice phrases and great illustrations. Child readers are likely to have only a cartoonish, generalized perception of what Frankenstein’s monster is, not the deeper questions of humanity that the novel asks. Once again, it would be a better book if the back matter was incorporated into the text.
beecheralyson's review
4.0
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.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
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.
taun's review
4.0
Storms rage as the year without a summer drags on, & Mary Shelley's monster begins to take shape on the pages before her.
A children's story outlining the more major points of Mary's life & her creation of 'Frankenstein'. This children's book introduces the younger reader to Mary's summer at the cottage of Lord Byron, the challenge issued forth to ward off boredom & the resulting horror that comes forth through the creativity & determination of Shelley's mind.
I enjoyed the illustrations, but would likely say that they're more suited to older/less timid children. The creation of 'Frankenstein' is laid out here with some common misconceptions (for the sake of a short story, possibly), in that it takes place as a result of a challenge, all in one sitting. This doesn't take away from the introduction of Shelley, or her creation of one of the most influential books of the 19th century & on.
A children's story outlining the more major points of Mary's life & her creation of 'Frankenstein'. This children's book introduces the younger reader to Mary's summer at the cottage of Lord Byron, the challenge issued forth to ward off boredom & the resulting horror that comes forth through the creativity & determination of Shelley's mind.
I enjoyed the illustrations, but would likely say that they're more suited to older/less timid children. The creation of 'Frankenstein' is laid out here with some common misconceptions (for the sake of a short story, possibly), in that it takes place as a result of a challenge, all in one sitting. This doesn't take away from the introduction of Shelley, or her creation of one of the most influential books of the 19th century & on.
5elementknitr's review
5.0
A kid's eye view of how Mary Shelley was inspired to write Frankenstein. I appreciated the author's notes at the end where they explained what creative license they used and what they changed from the historically accurate details. I also love how they included a bit about Ms. Shelley's feminist mother's story.
little_silver's review against another edition
3.0
How Mary Shelley not only created Frankenstein, but the entire Sci-fi genre!
jshettel's review
3.0
Interesting picture book biography about Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein.
sherri22's review against another edition
5.0
Mary could hear the others still talking downstairs while she brushed her hair by candlelight, thinking of stories: stories she'd read, stories she'd heard, stories she wanted to tell.
She Made a Monster is a moment set in time about of a famous and in my opinion amazing writer, Mary Shelley. I enjoyed how Lynn Fulton told her retelling of the start of Mary Shelley's writing career. I did enjoy the art of this picture book. Felicita Sala's illustrations made the pages pop, again portraying her way of relying the story. Together it is a wonderful retelling and it makes me want to read/re-read biographies of this truly astonishing writer's life.
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 lightening splitting the night sky.
Update: I have read this twice, my first read was 4 stars but this picture books deserves 5 stars. I am looking forward to reading Lynn Fulton's source material for her book; Mary Shelley written by Miranda Seymour.
She Made a Monster is a moment set in time about of a famous and in my opinion amazing writer, Mary Shelley. I enjoyed how Lynn Fulton told her retelling of the start of Mary Shelley's writing career. I did enjoy the art of this picture book. Felicita Sala's illustrations made the pages pop, again portraying her way of relying the story. Together it is a wonderful retelling and it makes me want to read/re-read biographies of this truly astonishing writer's life.
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 lightening splitting the night sky.
Update: I have read this twice, my first read was 4 stars but this picture books deserves 5 stars. I am looking forward to reading Lynn Fulton's source material for her book; Mary Shelley written by Miranda Seymour.