This handy, new guide to storytelling through the ages is sure to spark the next generation of dynamic storytellers. It’s a perfect addition to story hour—both in the classroom or at home. No ifs, ums, aahhs, or dead silence about it!

Activity Guide

Parents, Teachers and Librarians! Download the FREE Activity Guide to use with kids ages 6 and up with Story Monsters Among Us!

Book Details

ISBN: 978-1-58985-242-6

Trim Size: 6 in. x 9 in. / Paperback, perfect-bound

Pub Date: January 7, 2022

eBook

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Special Offer

Get $10 off when you spend over $75 in the Story Monsters store. Available on select merchandise only. Enter discount code: $10REWARD at checkout.

Shipping

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Media

Interested in interviewing Conrad J. Storad or learning more about Story Monsters Among Us? Download the media kit now!

What Folks Are Saying …

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is an amazing chapter-book story about the education of a little story monster who goes through a 50,000-year journey. I am in awe of how much education is provided in this story. I will most definitely keep it in my history bin for students to browse. I could even incorporate it into content when the year or social studies matches my curriculum. The illustrations are marvelous like always and the curriculum content guide is provided at the back of the story for at school or home. I really like how it is child based- based on the little monster in all the illustrations as it was describing what happened so many years ago. Would definitely recommend corresponding with your curriculum as a teacher!”

— Heather Wonders, Second Grade Teacher

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Storytelling is one of the hallmarks of civilization. This feature is what makes humans different from all other animals. Conrad J. Storad wrote Story Monsters Among Us: A Brief History of Human Storytelling to share the history of various storytelling styles. If you have ever wondered about petroglyphs, pictographs, or hieroglyphs, you will enjoy learning more about them. For example, do you know what important invention Cai Lun developed in China around nineteen hundred years ago? That invention is still used today. Some may even believe that Cai Lun made the most important invention in history. Storytelling has evolved over the centuries and continues to do so. Use your imagination to think about what storytelling will be like in the future. Read this book, then start becoming a storyteller. 

When I was young, people said the thing that separates humans from other animals was the use of tools. Since then, scientists have found out that many animals use tools. In Story Monsters Among Us, Conrad J. Storad explains that the significant difference between other animals and humans is the storytelling nature of humans. Conrad outlines the history of storytelling from prehistoric times to his vision of the distant future. Jeff Yesh, a freelance illustrator, adds to this book in a delightful manner. Every family has at least one storyteller. This book applauds all storytellers and credits them with the advancement of civilization. Read this book with your children and help them understand the importance of storytellers like Aesop, Shakespeare, and others.”

— Philip Van Heusen

“My students have written up a storm since I used the book, Story Monsters Among Us, for multiple writing lessons. They loved writing in the early languages and WOW... they went with their stories becoming longer and longer. The students especially love the graphic novel style of Story Monsters Among Us. I wish I had this resource 20 years ago!!! I am retiring this year but leaving your book and lesson plans with the other 4th grade teacher. ”

— Rita Gritmacker, Kingman Elementary School, Kingman, Kansas

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is an enjoyable read reminding us of the power of story—past, present, and future. Story Monsters come in many shapes and sizes. They love nothing more than a good story. It takes us all the way back to the ancient past and then into the future reminding us of the evolution of storytelling throughout various cultures; from cave paintings in southern France 31,000 years ago, to cuneiform impressions 6,000 years ago in southern Iraq, Aesop’s fables in 400BC, the creation of paper 1900 years ago in China, Shakespeare’s plays at the Globe Theatre in 1275AD, the Grimm brothers in 1810 in Germany, Dr. Seuss in 1961, and the near future on Mars. I loved this journey through time.

The illustrations not only enhance the story but are also charming, each showing the shapeshifting Story Monsters living among us throughout history and across cultures. This is an educational read for both children and adults. The book includes a “Words to Learn” list and an activity guide that parents and teachers will find helpful. This book would be an ideal addition to your classroom and/or library and a welcome gift to children who have the love of storytelling.

I received an electronic ARC from Story Monsters Press. Opinions expressed here are my own.”

— Betty Taylor, Reading is My Passion blog

“I just received my ‘Story Monsters Among Us’ book and I love it. It exceeded my expectations. I was a second grade teacher for 30 years and always had storytime in my classroom. I would have loved to have added this book to my collection to help me explain and show the students the importance and the history of storytelling. I love the way the story explains the history so clearly and in depth and the way the illustrations are drawn. 

The book is very well organized and easy to comprehend. The free activity guide that goes with it is a wonderful way to engage students even further and give the children many creative ways to connect. I will be using this book as a featured book at my storytimes during my Little Free Library events.

I highly recommend this book for any student, parent, teacher, or anyone interested in the art and history of storytelling.”

— Karen Morales, Teacher/Author/Little Library Steward

⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Storad introduces readers to storytelling and shares briefly about what they will see in this book. He then takes us back to the first recorded drawings and writing and moves through history. Love the Story Monsters observing everything and participating at times. I appreciate that cultures from across the globe are included so readers see diverse civilizations and the roots of their own cultures. The book brings us into predictions for the future where humans travel to other planets and bring their stories with them. A brief summary of storytelling that captures the historical process and lets readers decide on the connections to our modern time.”

— Pam Gombert, Librarian, Goodreads

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Conrad J. Storad’s ‘Story Monsters Among Us: A Brief History of Human Storytelling’ was a joy to read! The text by Storad and the unique and colorful illustrations by Jeff Yesh made the information about the history of storytelling come alive.

The mysterious shapeshifting Story Monster that moves throughout the past and into the future will most definitely engage young readers as they learn about various cultures and the art of storytelling within those cultures. The addition of word definitions and an activity guide at the end of the book are a great bonus that parents and teachers will especially appreciate.

It isn’t easy to create a book that is educational and informative while still being fun and interactive, but Storad has succeeded in doing just that!”

— Deborah Edmisten, Author

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This was really fun to read. I loved how it was teaching history in a comic form. My third grader loved reading it.”

— Sheila Gentry, Teacher

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Brightly colored illustrations demonstrate the long-ago history of story writing and storytelling in a fun and intriguing way. Pictures really are worth a thousand words! This cleverly written book allows for a self-reader or a storyteller to educate while also engaging the imagination.”

— Cynthia Kern OBrien, Award-winning Author and Publisher

“Award-winning author, Conrad J. Storad, has a wonderful format for his books that includes laying a background, telling a delightful story, supporting the vocabulary in the story, and sharing ideas with parents and teachers to reinforce the story told; at the same time including talented artist illustrators who visually bring each page to life. This book presents an enlightening history of storytelling and story tellers. I particularly enjoyed following the historical characters through the ages and their ways of storytelling, the brightly colored images, and the ‘four-eyed monster’ who turns monsters into friends. As a fan of Storad's ‘Arizona Way Out West & Wacky’ series, I highly recommend this book and look forward to sharing it with the Clemenceau Heritage Museum, the Cottonwood Oak Creek School District (Cottonwood, AZ), local librarians, friends, and my great-granddaughter, Austrie Gray. Thank you, Mr. Storad, for bringing fun, laughter, enlightenment, and great stories to educate and brighten children's lives across the world.”

— Isabel Erickson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Team Leader of Educational Programs for Children, Verde Historical Society and Clemenceau Heritage Museum

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is Conrad J. Storad's first graphic novel and it is absolutely captivating! the story itself begins in the ancient past and shows the little monster observing everything. It is really fun and quite interesting to see the story begin so early. This was the thing that really captivated my attention and made me want to read more. It continues throughout history as the reader follows the little monster. This is such an interesting and brilliant way to tell the story of the monster! Done as a graphic novel it is perfect and i would to read more about the monster or any other graphic novels from Conrad J. Storad! i would highly recommend!”

— Lisa Jacovsky