My Baby Monsters Exposed:
The Story behind the Storytelling Monsters
A note to parents and educators:
The origin of My Baby Monsters:
My Baby Monsters started life as the imaginary friends of Josie when she was two. At first, there were only 5, but then, as these storytelling creatures became more active (and they wrote their own children's book), their numbers grew to 14. Now, with over 100,000 boys and girls around the world playing with them, there are even more Baby Monsters. So no matter how you're feeling, there's a Baby Monster that matches your mood. [Meet the baby monsters]
The purpose of building stories together:
MyBabyMonsters.com is built upon a strong educational foundation ... that children learn best through play. For this reason, this web site functions as a playful learning, collaborative story-telling community for kids, as well as their parents and teachers. In addition to fun, it helps your child develop a love for reading, writing, and creation. [Learn more about storytelling's benefit]
The cycle of communication:
Storytelling is a collaboration, for without an audience and its feedback, there is no context, no communication, and no story. Through a patient ear, you can help children channel their raw energy and imagination into effective communication. For this reason, everything on the My Baby Monster story sharing community has been cooperatively created by children and their parents, as well as classrooms around the world.
The play may be wild, but it's character defining:
As story-inspiring stars of fantasy, whimsy, and childhood, My Baby Monsters' popularity continues to grow. And with them, so does my daughter. Though they're now big enough to go to school, ride a bicycle without training wheels, and take care of their baby sister, My Baby Monsters' are still committed to giving your son, daughter, and class a fun way to develop their communication and collaboration skills. So please, read My Baby Monsters' stories with your children, and help them add their own endings, because the best children's stories are yours.
Have fun. -- Michael Baumgarten, M.Ed.
About the Daughter of My Baby Monsters: At wise, old age of eight, Josie loves to have fun. Currently, Josie is working on her third children's book and attending elementary school in Denmark. She has been sharing her stories and wild imagination for her entire life and looks forward to ice cream.
About the Father of My Baby Monsters: In addition to working as a children's author and illustrator, Michael Baumgarten, M.Ed., has worked as teacher, created children's curriculum, and developed storytelling toys and great play experiences for LEGO. Having earned his masters' degree in Education, Language and Literacy, from the University of Alaska – Fairbanks, and having had his artistic creations displayed in the United States and Europe, he currently works (and plays) with his daughter and her baby monsters to help create the next generation of great storytellers.
