The poomonster club

BOOK REVIEW

THE POOMONSTER CLUB

Author: Ana Coto Fernández From the reader report by: Asa Hirano

This book makes the reader consider the pressing problem of bullying by exploring the feelings of bullied children and the reactions of people around them. However, it does this in a generally humorous way that features monsters, magic and puzzle-solving elements, for example, with the book’s main draw being its enjoyability as a story. Finland has an anti-bullying program called KIVA that aims to reduce bullying by engaging onlookers as well as those involved in the bullying. This work is part of Spain’s response to this program and it is read widely at schools across the country. Several books about bullying have been published in Japan too, but this story is somewhat different and it will probably appeal to a wide audience, from elementary school kids the same age as the protagonist to adults with a deep connection to children.

In the end, Alex never finds his stolen treasure. In the epilogue, a figure probably representing the writer appears before Marco. From their conversation, we know this story is not finished just yet. The sequel “The Kaka Monsters Club: Mr. Bully Is Coming” was released in 2018. I think it would be worth publishing this as a series.

PUBLISHED IN NEW SPANISH BOOKS JP

PALABRAS DE AGUA EDITORIAL

Title THE POOMONSTER CLUB EL CLUB DE LOS KAKAMONSTRUOS

Author Ana Coto Fernández Genre Children and Youth Pages 176

ISBN 978-84-94654-91-6 Year of publication 2015 Number of editions 5 Language Spanish Spanish retail price 12.50 €

Author’s biography: Ana Coto Fernández was born in León and spent most of her childhood in Asturias. She directed her studies towards the great and unknown world of disability, having realised that people who are different brought out the best in her. At present she lives with her family in Madrid. She burst onto the literary scene in 2011, with El secreto del Valle de las Sombras (The Secret of the Valley of Shadows), and in 2014 she published Bajo tu luna (Beneath your moon), El club de los Kakamonstruos (Poomonster Club) in 2015 and El club de los kakamonstruos: que viene Mr. Bully (Poomonster Club: come on Mr Bully) in 2018. She has collaborated in the production of several charity anthologies and has been a judge at various literary and cinema festivals. Her work stands out for the values it represents. As a result, her books have become compulsory reading in schools across Spain. www.palabrasdeaguaeditorial.com

Synopsis: This is the story about Marco, a nine year old boy who hates going to school. Why does he hate it? He says its because all manner of pixies, trolls, witches, zombies and vampires live there and they always manage to find a way to upset him. Even with the start of a new term, Marco still feels very much alone in the face of his enemies, but he will soon find some friends to share his adventures. Will Marco and his friends discover the truth about the monsters? BEWARE!!!! If you read this book at bedtime, don’t forget to check under your pillow next day and above all, remember, that sometimes, things are not as they seem.

Publisher: Editorial Palabras de Agua A traditional publishing house dedicated to a variety of genres including: childrens, YA, poetry, historical fiction, essays, thrillers, terror, science fiction, and fantasy. We publish national and international authors of high quality literature.

Publishing rights available from: Editorial Palabras De Agua S.l. - CIF B87684510 Carmen Amaya 19, 1, 1ºD, Leganés, Madrid www.palabrasdeaguaeditorial.com Contact: Ana Elena [anacotofernandez@gmail.com] [palabrasdeaguaeditorial@gmail.com] Phone: (+34) 649 565 588

Prizes and reviews: A book that deals with bullying using the KiVa method. Recommended by the Spanish Association for the prevention of Bullying at school, by psychologists, coaches, and teachers.