Monsterology: Febulous Lives of the Creepy, the Revolting, and the Undead

Lisa Arsenault is a high-school English teacher who is involved in
several ministry campaigns to increase literacy.

Biographies of 15 famous monsters, including Dracula, Quasimodo, and
Medusa, are presented in this compendium of “lives of the creepy, the
revolting, and the undead.” The monsters are drawn from several time
periods and continents.

Each biography follows the same format. Headings include the usual
personal information such as age, and place of birth, but more arcane
data like loves and hates, fashion rating, and the monster’s supposed
favourite sayings and favourite movies are also featured. Slade’s
approach is obviously tongue-in-cheek. Two or three “cool facts”
about the monster are paired with longer exposés on its specific
attributes. High-school memories and an interview with the monster
follow. Black-and-white illustrations, again with a humorous rather than
frightening appeal, accompany each profile.

The author’s prose style sets the irreverent tone of the book, which
reads rather like tabloid gossip. The language is breezy, slangy, and
informal. The profiles are written as if the author is talking directly
to a young friend; in fact, in a number of instances the writing is
rather sophomoric with its “like, you knows” and occasional bathroom
humour.

Teen readers who are not looking for a serious approach to the topic
will likely find Monsterology funny and enjoyable. Recommended.