teaching kids to read!

FRIDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2011

taken from the Hairy Plug Monster Blogspot by Leighroy Marsh.... for HPM Media Ltd...

http://hairyplugmonster.blogspot.com/

Can you do this?

After the dissapointment of the teaching awards, Jim and I have decided to push ahead with the series of books regardless.  Given the speed that Jim can provide the illustrations, we should have half of the series completed pretty soon.  At the moment we are meeting during his dinner break each week and trading ideas on the choice of 'pallette' for the characters - the image above is just part of several that we are considering.

I have been given the first 45 key words that children learn to recognise in reception and another 100 that they are expected to know by the end of Y3.  Having to write using a restricted vocabulary is a skill in itself, but thankfully one I posses -  

I was a reading recovery assistant for a short period of time this year, and one thing I noticed that really used to wind me up is that Publishers are getting away with murder when it comes to producing educational reading books for KS1.

Both Jim and myself are intent on avoiding the same traps that others succumb to and are trying to create an  almost 'Seusslike' series of books instead of producing the same 2 dimensional rubbish that my daughter used to bring home when she first started to read. 

CAT     DOG    TORTOISE  etc

aaarrgh!!!!!  I am sure you must have seen them - they usually open with a small word like DOG and then without any consideration for the reader, they will throw in a word like TORTOISE and expect the child to be able to recognise the word just by showing a picture. I don't know about you but Tortoises are pretty rare where we live and it's really hard to be able to explain the difference between one and a picture of a Mutant Ninja Turtle. (except for the mask)

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The Hairy Plug Monster and what our readers say.... 


review page : 

http://www.thehairyplugmonster.com/2.html 


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for more news and updates....

what a great review.... HPM Media Ltd

WHAT A GREAT REVIEW

The Hairy Plug Monster   

from :   LEANNE MCGINTY 

The Hairy Plug Monster
by   Leighroy Marsh

illustrated by Samuel Perry

I must admit when I first heard the title of this book I was a bit put off. I was honestly afraid of what I would find. However, when I opened the book I was pleasantly surprised. I hope you enjoy the review.

Story: 4
The story rhymes throughout and is in the style of the great Shel Silverstein.  It starts off with Maya hearing a noise coming from the drain in her bathtub. When she asks her dad he explains that it is none other than the hairy plug monster. The story is very engaging due to the catchy rhythm. The content was very creative and original. I love how the author went into detail on what the hairy plug monster eats. I would recommend the content for kindergarten and up as it is a bit advanced for the little ones. The only truly bad thing I have to say about the book, is that it ended. I hope that the author comes out with a sequel as the end was a bit abrupt. I strongly suggest you visit Leighroy Marsh’s blog at   http://hairyplugmonster.blogspot.com/

Illustrations: 4

The illustrations are very good. They maintain consistency throughout the entire book and are very detailed.  There are items in the background that I didn’t even notice on the first read through. The hairy plug monster is illustrated as a rotund figure covered in hair. He’s not scary, which I like. Kids will think he is funny and perhaps even look for him in their own drains. I really enjoyed the illustrations of Maya as well. She was depicted as a curious little girl with pigtails. I think children will relate to her and want to read the book again and again.

Format: 4

The format of the book is really good. I like that the text is highlighted in certain areas to emphasize different words. It gives a really bubbly effect to the text. What I mean by that is that it enhances the bounce of the rhyme.

The Overall Ahgoo Review rating is: 4

Hairy Plug Monster

Leighroy Marsh

http://ahgooreview.com/2011/07/hairy-plug-monster/    








available as an ebook... 


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http://www.hpmmedialtd.com/the-hairy-plug-monster.html


your still in time for christmas...

one for christmas!

A VISIT TO GRANDMA'S - from HPM Media children's books

5th December 2011

Just a teaser from author/songwriter
LEIGHROY MARSH



A VISIT TO GRANDMA'S

Were going to Grandmas

Dad called out to Maya

Who was sat reading books

Keeping warm by the fire

So pack up your toothpaste

Your toothbrush and clothes

your pink fluffy slippers

With the extra large rose

Can the Hairy Plug Monster

Come too? Maya asked

As she reached for the toothpaste

At the side of the bath,

"Of course!" said her dad

As he finished his tea,

He can sit in the front

With your mother and me.                    

So Maya bent down

And called out to her friend

“Do you want to see grandma

And stay the weekend?”

The Hairy plug monster

Appeared with a case

And a large floppy hat

that just covered his face…. 

CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE www.hpmmedialtd.com  you can purchase 


THE HAIRY PLUG MONSTER  (the first of a great series) 


BUY on line @ http://www.hpmmedialtd.com/the-hairy-plug-monster.html

as an ebook..... 


or you can order a copy from your local book store WATERSTONES  


THE HAIRY PLUG MONSTER & MAYA is full of adventure and fun 


A FEW NOTES WHAT OUR READERS THOUGHT:-
http://www.hpmmedialtd.com/reviews.html