Two friends: one big, one little. One old, one young. One grumpy, one cheerful. Both: MONSTERS! From the author of Crabapple Trouble comes a sweet and fun-filled chapter-book graphic novel, with a charming cast of adorable monsters. Reggie's plan is to spend the whole summer brooding over his latest adventure gone wrong. But his friendly and curious neighbor, Emily, won't let him sit alone and unhappy in his house forever! Despite their differences, these two monsters make the perfect pair of explorers. And with a map to make, a beach party to plan, and a sea monster to find, Reggie will have to learn to talk about his feelings and let new friends in! With bright, gorgeous art by Kaeti Vandorn, Monster Friends features the cutest, fuzziest monsters you've ever seen.

Monster Friends' Spooky Adventure Summary about this story: Finn, Frankenstein’s monster, Vlad, the cool Dracula, and Casper, the funny ghost, were strange friends who went on an amazing journey in a dark neighborhood where shadows whispered, and mysteries were everywhere. What started out as a strange mystery turned into a journey of coming together, learning more about each other, and falling in love with friendship. As the three friends went through hard times and learned new things, their friendship grew stronger. They taught everyone that differences can be honored and that being together is a strong force. Each time they went on an adventure, they laughed, solved puzzles, and brought joy to a neighborhood that used to be scary. Because they were there, a secret house became a sign of link, and the fact that they were all together made monsters, vampires, ghosts, and humans want to celebrate. They showed that with teamwork, knowledge, and a lot of heart, even the scariest puzzles could be solved. Finn, Vlad, and Casper left a mark on the neighborhood, which helped build a sense of community and friendship that lasted for years. Their adventures not only changed their lives, but also the lives of everyone they met. They showed that the power of friendship could bring light to even the darkest places. As the story's pages turned, the companions' legacy lived on, leaving behind a happy reflection that in a world full of monsters and mysteries, the greatest magic of all was the enchantment of friendship. Friendship was a bond that crossed divides, overcame problems, and brought happiness to the hearts of those who had it. How the story started: Once upon a time, Frankenstein's monster and Dracula lived together in a dark neighborhood that was hidden between the clouds and the moonlight. Even though the area was known for being creepy, the monster and the vampire still became friends. Finn was Frankenstein's monster. He had a big heart and was very tall. With bolts sticking out of his neck and a patched look, he often felt like he didn't belong in the neighborhood. People avoided him because he looked scary, and they thought he was a dangerous animal. Finn wasn't as rough as he looked. He was gentle, interested, and kind. He liked it when things were quiet, and he could hear the leaves moving and howls from far away. Dracula, or Vlad, as his friends called him, lived in the next house, which was a beautiful place. People liked him because he was charismatic and interesting. Vlad liked to put on a show. He wore beautiful black clothes and a dramatic cape. Even though he seemed educated, Vlad was lonely. There were bad things about being immortal, and Vlad wanted to talk to someone who could understand what it meant to be immortal. One tragic night, under the light of a full moon, their paths crossed. Finn was walking through the graveyard, and the tombstones echoed with the sound of his steps. While this was going on, Vlad stood on top of his house with his cloak gently flapping in the wind and watched the ghostly scene. When their eyes met across the distance, they were both curious and surprised to see each other. Finn went to Vlad's house because he was curious, which was in line with his kind nature. The sound of his steps on the cobblestone road let Vlad know he was coming, and he slid down like a shadow. Vlad nodded and said, "Good evening," in a polite tone. Finn managed a nice smile, even though the vampire's look had shocked him. "Hi, my name is Finn," he said. Vlad's lips turned into a real smile, revealing his sharp teeth. "No problem. My name is Vlad. Why are you in my humble home?" Finn stopped for a while, and his bolts moved nervously. "Your mansion has always interested me; it seems... interesting." Vlad gave a soft, melodic laugh that had a hint of fun to it. "Yes, that is interesting. Would you like a tour?" So, they became friends after taking a tour of Vlad's home. Finn was blown away by the mansion's beautiful furniture, huge library full of old books, and stunning view from the tower. As the hours went by, they told each other stories about their lives, goals, and dreams. Finn said he wanted to be understood, and Vlad talked about the pros and cons of being eternal. Over the next few weeks, their friendship grew stronger. When Vlad wanted to come out of the dark, Finn would help him get there, and Vlad would tell Finn stories about his adventures in the past. They laughed together, walked around the cute neighborhood, and even made a small garden in the mansion's back yard. One day, as they watched the sun set behind the hills, Vlad turned to Finn. "You know, my friend, I've been around for a long time, but it's only through our friendship that I've really learned what it's like to have a friend." Finn nodded, and the stitches on his face turned into a real smile. "You've also shown me that looks can be deceiving and that understanding, and kindness are the foundations of real friendships." As their friendship grew, the scary neighborhood became full of laughter, companionship, and a feeling of belonging. Finn and Vlad became models of community for the people who lived there. They showed them that even the most unlikely people could form bonds that surprised everyone. So, in the middle of a neighborhood where shadows told secrets and the moonlight painted stories of mystery, an unbreakable relationship between a monster and a vampire showed everyone that understanding, acceptance, and kindness were the real magic that could break down any barrier. As the moon kept shining its golden rays, changing the neighborhood for the better, the sounds of their laughter and the warmth of their friendship filled the creepy area. With each passing day, Finn and Vlad's friendship got stronger, which changed the whole creepy neighborhood. Once secretive, there is now a sense of community and being open. People began to understand that everyone had their own stories and traits that made them unique. Finn's big, strong hands were a comforting sight when he helped his friends fix their houses or take care of their gardens. Myths about him had been around for a long time, but his kindness and willingness to help put an end to them. Children would rush up to him and ask him about the bolts in his neck and what he had done. Vlad's personality was so appealing that he brought animals from all walks of life to neighborhood events. The night parties became a way for people to come together and learn to accept differences. People who used to be afraid of him at night now wanted to be with him so they could hear his stories about the past and be amazed by how well he spoke. The friendship between Finn and Vlad had a lot of great effects over time. The area changed a lot and grew into a lively, happy place to live. Monsters, witches, ghosts, and all kinds of animals joined forces to help each other. They shared their skills and learned from each other. But when Halloween came, a new mystery cast a dark cloud over their happy neighborhood. Strange things started to happen: candy bowls started to disappear from the front steps, scary voices started to echo through the night, and pumpkins started rolling down the streets on their own. The creepy vibe got worse, and the neighbors started to feel scared. One moonlit night, the friends talked about the scary things that had happened while sitting around a campfire in Finn's yard. Vlad thought, "It looks like a mischievous spirit is at work," as he kept tapping his chin with his fingers. Finn nodded his head. Finn and Vlad told their new friends, witches with potions, goblins with sharp senses, and even a friendly werewolf who was great at scent tracking, that they should help them solve the mystery. The crew went on a trip to find out what was going on and bring peace back to their favorite town. As they explored the eerie area, they came across magical scarecrows that turned out to be friendly, mischievous ghosts who were lonely and wanted to be noticed. The team worked together and thought outside the box to come up with a plan for a big Halloween parade that would include everyone. The scarecrows would share the stage and feel like they were important. The night of the show came, and everyone on the streets was excited. People of all ages, dressed up in their most creative outfits, came together. Finn, Vlad, and their friends led the neighborhood parade, which was full of music, laughter, and a feeling of connection. The scarecrows joined in, their once-mean spirits now filled with happiness. Finn and Vlad spoke to the crowd as the parade was coming to an end and the moon was shining brightly. Finn said, "We've shown tonight that unity and understanding can beat any mystery or fear." Vlad went on to say, "We are a diverse community, and each of us is unique. By accepting each other, we've turned our scary neighborhood into a place of warmth, friendship, and shared joy." The crowd's roar was so loud that it could be heard all night and beyond. The message was clear: with friendship, teamwork, and acceptance, even the scariest scenarios could be turned into times of connection and celebration. So, in the middle of their creepy neighborhood, Finn and Vlad's strong friendship not only brought them happiness and understanding, but also sparked change. Their story became famous and was told from generation to generation to show how friendship can change lives and communities. In the end, the spooky feeling of their neighborhood stayed, but it was now joined by laughter, harmony, and a sense of belonging that they would cherish for decades to come. One cold night, Frankenstein's monster and Dracula were having a quiet night in their strange homes. The wind was whispering secrets, and the leaves were rustling. The moon's sparkling light came in through their windows and lit up their nice rooms. Finn, the name people gave to Frankenstein's monster, found a place to stay in an old stone house hidden among old trees. His house was a safe place, full of old books and high-tech tools that he had built himself. Finn sat in his favorite couch while the fire in the fireplace made shadows move across the walls. His bolted neck and stitched skin made him unique, but his heart was kind and caring. He often got lost in books about people's feelings and adventures because he wanted to know more about the world than what he saw. Dracula, who was also known as Vlad, lived in a beautiful house at the end of a long, winding driveway just a few blocks away. His home was very fancy, with velvet curtains, old furniture, and beautiful candelabras in each room. Through the big windows, the moonlight came in and made interesting patterns on the walls. Vlad leaned back in his beautiful chaise lounge and read a book of poems. Even though he was usually known for his sharp teeth and shiny appearance, he was actually very lonely inside. That night, as the moon hung low in the sky and the stars sparkled like pearls, there was a feeling of unease. It was as if the night itself had a secret that Finn and Vlad needed to find out. Finn looked out the window. His eyes didn't match, so the moonlight reflected off of them. He wondered what was outside the pages of his books and outside the walls of his hut. He wanted to travel the world as much as the fall wind wanted to pull at the leaves on the trees. Vlad, on the other hand, sat on the balcony of his house and looked up at the night sky with deep thought. The stars seemed to tell him stories of adventures, and he had a strange desire to do something other than live forever. He felt like the moonlight was calling him, and the allure of the unknown pulled him in. Finn and Vlad didn't know it, but they both needed something more in their lives that night, something to break up the routine of being single. It was a desire that led them to an unexpected meeting and bond that would change their lives for good. As the night went on, the moon got brighter, giving off a strange light that filled the area. Finn and Vlad left their homes at the same time, both of them wanting to know what was going on. At an intersection made of cobblestones, where the moon was watching over them, their paths met. Finn said, "Good evening," smiling and nodding politely. Vlad smiled, and his eyes lit up with interest. "A chilly night to be out and about." They said nice things to each other, and their conversation went as smoothly as the moonlight. They felt an unexpected link with each other, a closeness that went beyond how they looked and what other people thought of them. "Would you like to walk with me?" Vlad asked, pointing to the path that wound through the trees and was lit by the moon.

Sailor Moon. Card Captor Sakura. Magical Girl Rayearth. They’re magical girls, and they’re some of the biggest names in manga. Magical girls, ordinary schoolgirls given superpowers, are hugely popular in Japan and the United States. Now Christopher Hart shows fans everywhere how to draw these manga shoujo faves. Faces and body proportions, action poses, costumes, expressions, transformations, special effects—they’re all here, all in Hart’s distinctive step-by-step approach. So are magical fighting boys and everybody’s favorite, the cute, furry manga mascots. Hart demonstrates how to create funny mascots, magical boys, fighting teams, and supporting characters, plus how to design layouts. Magical girls show us that we all have special powers deep inside—now Manga Mania: Magical Girls and Friends let those special drawing powers reveal themselves at last!

Lively little monsters star in 30 playful activities, including mazes, connect the dots, spot-the-differences, secret codes, and more. The pictures are fun to color, too! Solutions.

Make Your Child’s Imagination Come to Life While Improving Their Vocabulary & Lowering Their Stress Levels with the Magical Unicorn Storybook! Did you know that reading bedtime stories to your little one is more than just a cozy ritual that helps prepare them for sleep? Hundreds of research have concluded that reading bedtime stories also gives you a great opportunity to create warm, wonderful memories with them, cultivate their imagination, foster empathy, lower their stress levels, and encourage engagement and conversation between parent and child. But perhaps the most recent and profound benefit discovered is that bedtime stories are able to rewire children's brains to accelerate their mastery of language and boost their vocabulary. So, when looking for the perfect bedtime stories for your child, it’s important to look for tales that meet your child’s language and emotional needs. And this is where Hannah Watson’s book, “The Magic Unicorn”, comes in. This book is a collection of short bedtime stories that help your toddlers fall asleep and relax, so they can dream about great unicorn fantasies all night! In this magical bedtime storybook, your child will: - Relax their worries away in a comforting space, where you get to snuggle and read bedtime stories together - Strengthen their bond with you and feel safe, knowing they are loved and that their mom or dad is right next to them as they float away to dreamland - Enhance their empathy, vocabulary, and imagination as they explore the wonderful world of majestic, adventurous unicorns - Cultivate their idea of friendship and exploration as the Magic Unicorn goes on an adventure with numerous mythical, colorful friends - And so much more! Children are like porous sponges that absorb every bit of information from the environment around them. When you read The Magic Unicorn to them every night, they will be able to simmer in the positivity as well as the educational bits that every chapter has to offer!

Give Your Child the Best Dreams While Enhancing Their Vocabulary & Imagination with the Magic Unicorn & Sleepy Dinosaur Bed Time Stories! There is nothing more fantastical than a child’s imagination. However, it can be quite easy to inhibit their creativity, especially when they live in a world that requires them to conform. As parents, you would want your child to believe that anything is possible and that the world is capable of providing them with magnificent opportunities if they keep their creativity alive and burning. Master storyteller Hannah Watson’s book, “The Magic Unicorn & The Sleepy Dinosaur Bed Time Stories Collection”, will help you with that! This book is a collection of wonderful short bedtime stories filled with the Magic Unicorn and the Sleepy Dinosaurs' awesome adventures, where they meet new characters and befriend unassumingly and misunderstood monsters, among many others. These short bedtime stories are written to help your children and toddlers fall asleep faster and relax after a long day! In this magical book, your child will: - Relax their worries away in a comforting space, where you get to snuggle and read bedtime stories together - Enhance their empathy, vocabulary, and imagination as they explore the wonderful world of majestic, adventurous unicorns - Engage in conversation and exploration as you read about every character and their equally amazing friends - Have a peaceful, deep sleep, safe with the knowledge that the world isn’t too bad after all, especially when mom and dad are here - And so much more! Let your child’s imagination run wild, as they embark on a journey towards dreamland with you by their side. In this book, your child will have wonderful dreams filled with great dinosaurs and magical unicorns all throughout the night!

Different blood flows in their veins--but our blood quenches their thirst. From Bram Stoker's 1897 creation of Count Dracula, portrayed as a foreign invader bent on the conquest of England, the literary vampire has symbolized the Other, whether his or her otherness arises from racial, ethnic, sexual, or species difference. Even before the bloodsucking Martians of H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds, however, popular fiction contained a few vampires who were members of alien species rather than supernatural undead. Even more intriguing than interplanetary invaders are humanoid and quasi-humanoid beings who have evolved to live on Earth among us, often camouflaged as our own kind. The boom in vampire fiction that began in the 1970s engendered a variety of "alien" vampires, many of them portrayed as sympathetic characters. The science fiction vampire is especially suited to the presentation of vampirism as morally neutral rather than inherently evil. Different Blood surveys the literary vampire as alien, whether extra-terrestrial or a different species evolved on Earth, from the mid-1800s to the 1990s, and analyzes the many uses to which science fiction and fantasy authors have put this theme. Their works explore issues of species, race, ecological responsibility, gender, eroticism, xenophobia, parasitism, symbiosis, intimacy, and the bridging of differences. An extensive bibliography lists dozens of novels and short stories on the "vampire as alien" theme, many of which are still in print.