I had a chance to review a story about a father-son duo that saves California from monsters like goblins and trolls, The Monster Catchers. Bailey Buckleby learns from his dad all about monster catching - but then finds out that their pet troll is actually a kidnapped baby sea giant, which leads him to question what's really going on. A criminal mastermind shows up and endangers everyone Bailey loves, and he needs to set things right.
The book is a good middle-grade book. It's easy to read, engaging for reluctant readers, with fun characters and lessons about friendship and morality.
I have a chance to share this interview so you can learn more.
What sparked the idea to write The Monster Catchers? Bailey and his father’s souvenir shop (that sells monsters in the back) is loosely based on Patrick’s Souvenir Shop in Bodega Bay, California. Patrick’s is a pink and white striped building on the side of a cliff. I walked into Patrick’s one day and there was no one at the register to help me. I waited patiently until I heard an awful, blood-curdling, gurgling howl coming from the backroom. I wondered – is that a sick dog back there? Is the owner transforming into a werewolf? Will anyone help me get a bag of saltwater taffy? I got out there as quickly as I could! I escaped with my life, but no taffy. The memory stayed with me and the story began to take shape in my head.
What are some larger themes within The Monster Catchers?As our world becomes smaller and smaller, we hesitate to trust those that don’t look like us or speak like us. Some want to put up as many walls around ourselves as possible. Even though we’re living in The Information Age, we seem to be susceptible to all kinds of crazy theories. We shouldn’t be afraid of exploring the world, meeting others that we might initially think are monsters and taking the time to learn the truth. Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” I believe this whole-heartedly. Bailey’s mother (before she mysteriously disappears) advises him to go out in the world and find out about monsters himself. She tells him “Some monsters will try to eat you alive and some will become the best friends you’ve ever known.”
George Brewington writes fantasy stories for both children and adults four days a week. The other three days a week he is a respiratory therapist at a hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. His short stories have been included in anthologies like Dark Magic: Witches, Hackers & Robots and Pick Your Poison. His first novel for young readers – The Monster Catchers - debuted on March 9th, 2019. The sequel – The Revenge of the Whiffles - arrives on July 14th, 2020. He is also working on a mysterious third novel, which is so secret and so strange and so scary, details cannot be revealed at this time. He lives in the marshes of Folly Beach, South Carolina with his family, surrounded on all sides by egrets, owls, alligators, and boo hags.
Connect with George Brewington at www.georgebrewington.com, on Twitter @7Brewington7, Instagram @GeorgeBrewington and Facebook @GeorgeBrewingtonFiction.
The Monster Catchers is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBound and wherever books are sold.
What are some larger themes within The Monster Catchers?As our world becomes smaller and smaller, we hesitate to trust those that don’t look like us or speak like us. Some want to put up as many walls around ourselves as possible. Even though we’re living in The Information Age, we seem to be susceptible to all kinds of crazy theories. We shouldn’t be afraid of exploring the world, meeting others that we might initially think are monsters and taking the time to learn the truth. Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” I believe this whole-heartedly. Bailey’s mother (before she mysteriously disappears) advises him to go out in the world and find out about monsters himself. She tells him “Some monsters will try to eat you alive and some will become the best friends you’ve ever known.”
George Brewington writes fantasy stories for both children and adults four days a week. The other three days a week he is a respiratory therapist at a hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. His short stories have been included in anthologies like Dark Magic: Witches, Hackers & Robots and Pick Your Poison. His first novel for young readers – The Monster Catchers - debuted on March 9th, 2019. The sequel – The Revenge of the Whiffles - arrives on July 14th, 2020. He is also working on a mysterious third novel, which is so secret and so strange and so scary, details cannot be revealed at this time. He lives in the marshes of Folly Beach, South Carolina with his family, surrounded on all sides by egrets, owls, alligators, and boo hags.
Connect with George Brewington at www.georgebrewington.com, on Twitter @7Brewington7, Instagram @GeorgeBrewington and Facebook @GeorgeBrewingtonFiction.
The Monster Catchers is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBound and wherever books are sold.
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