Horror Holiday (Monstrous Maud)
#5 in Monstrous Maud Series
What’s inside...
The fifth book in the Monstrous Maud series follows Maud as she goes on a camping trip with Wilf's family in the woods. Maud is determined to solve the mystery of the Beast Of Oddington, unaware that Wilf's parents are werewolves. As they choose a campsite haunted by the terrifying beast, monstrous adventures are inevitable, and Maud must work to keep her secret about the monster school from being revealed.
Discussion points
Why do you think Maud feels different from the other girls at school, and how does she deal with those feelings?
What role do friends play in Maud’s adventure at Rotwood? Can you think of a time when your friends helped you through a challenging situation?
Maud encounters various obstacles during her holiday. What are some ways she tries to overcome these challenges?
How do the monsters in the story differ from typical scary monsters? What do you think the author is trying to tell us about judging others by appearances?
If you were in Maud’s shoes, how would you handle being at a school like Rotwood? What would be your approach to making new friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Maud’s shoes, fostering empathy and understanding towards characters that might seem different.
Discuss the significance of overcoming fears and challenges, relating them to personal experiences or hypothetical situations to make the conversation more engaging.
Highlight the theme of friendship in the story, asking your child to draw parallels between their own life and the characters in the book, thus deepening their connection to the story.
Use the monsters as a fun and creative topic, asking your child to imagine and describe their own ‘friendly monster’ and what adventure they could have together.
Ask your child how they think the story might continue if there were another chapter, encouraging creative thinking and narrative building skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Differences
Explanation: In 'Horror Holiday', Maud, a monster at a regular school, teaches children the importance of accepting and embracing differences between people.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to accept and respect peers who may look, act, or think differently than they do, promoting inclusivity and empathy in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Maud uses her unique monster abilities to creatively solve problems she encounters, highlighting the value of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to use their imagination and creativity to overcome obstacles, enhancing their problem-solving skills in real-life situations.
Example Lesson: The Power of Friendship
Explanation: Maud's adventures underscore how friendships can overcome fear and misunderstandings and how friends can support each other during tough times.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to value and nurture friendships, recognizing the strength and support a good friend can offer, especially in challenging situations.
Example Lesson: Courage in Facing Fears
Explanation: Maud often faces scary and challenging situations in 'Horror Holiday', demonstrating bravery and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and challenges with courage, understanding that it’s okay to be scared and that bravery isn’t about not feeling fear, but about facing it head-on.
Example Lesson: Importance of Honesty
Explanation: The book shows the consequences of deception and the benefits of being truthful, even when it's difficult.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice honesty in their actions and words, teaching them the value of integrity in building trust and healthy relationships.