Our children’s book of the month for November is Gargantis by Thomas Taylor
Gargantis – the blurb
When an ancient bottle is found washed up on the beach after a ferocious electrical storm, all the residents of Eerie-on-Sea seem to want it … but should they in fact fear it? Legend has it that the bottle contains an extraordinary secret that spells doom for the whole of Eerie-on-Sea. Could it be true that the vast sea creature Gargantis has awoken from her slumbers, and is causing the large cracks that are appearing all across the town? Finding themselves entrusted with the bottle, Herbie and Violet discover they will need to ride the terrible storm and pacify the creature if they want to save Eerie-on-Sea from sliding into the ocean and being lost for ever.
Second time out
For two months in a row our Book of the Month has been a sequel. Gargantis is the second book in the Eerie-On-Sea series. As with last month’s Umbrella Mouse I haven’t read the first book but a quick Twitter question to Thomas Taylor later confirmed that yep we were OK to go solo (although you would get more out of it if you had read Malanander first).
Pass me a parma violet
I just loved the names in Gargantis. Whilst I appreciated the sweet references (and had a craving for parma violets throughout) it was names such as Eerie-on-Sea and Gargantis that I loved the most. You immediately have an idea of what a beast looks like with a name like Gargantis. Nobody good was ever referred to as Dark Hood and all sorts of sinister goings on could happen in a place like Eerie. Taylor had obviously put a lot of thought into these names and it was so worth the effort.
Me, myself and I
The book is written in first person and I liked how Herbie would talk to the reader and often include them. It was also a good way of providing backstory, sometimes necessary if you hadn’t read Malamander. I actually liked all of the character’s in the book. Even the ones who were nasty were really well written. Herbie has a brilliant little supporting cast full of humour, warmth and just a little bit of magic. Adventure enthusiasts, pirate lovers and bookworms alike will love it and I’m immediately adding Malamander to my wish lish. And Malamander number 3 if there is one???
Book club questions
+++ These questions contain spoilers and should only be used if you have read the book already!+++
- The book is based around finding a bottle with a secret message. Have you ever hidden a message in a bottle and sent it out to sea? What did/would your message say? Why don’t you have a go at putting a message in a bottle and letting it go next time you are at the seaside
- Violet discovers the secret to reading Eerie script is to use a compass. Can you have a go at writing a message in Eerie script? Can you make up your own secret code?
- At first it seems as though Gargantis is a storm but it is actually a creature. Using the descriptions from the book can you draw what you think Gargantis looks like?
- Thomas Taylor has some brilliant character names that are all to do with sweets. Can you pick a theme (water, weather, animals for example) and come up with some character names for a story?
- Who do you think deserved to keep the bottle? Do you agree with Herbie’s decision?
- Do you think we have seen the end of Dark Hood?
If you would like to join in with our Children’s Book of the Month keep your eyes peeled when we announce December’s book in a few days time. Our review with book club questions is usually posted on the last Monday of the month and you can check out previous book of the months such as Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm by clicking on the Young Adult/Kids button at the top of our Home Page. In the meantime we would love to see your drawings, character names and secret script messages!
