Ava the Monster Slayer; Cousin Power
Ava (and Piggy) are back with a brand-new adventure!
Ava proved she’s a fierce monster slayer after defeating the ferocious basement monsters to save her favorite stuffed animal, Piggy, in Ava the Monster Slayer: A Warrior Who Wears Glasses.
Now, Ava must gather her courage once again as she gets ready to attend an overnight camp for the first time. She and her cousin, Sophia, are scared of being away from home, but they take comfort in Piggy and Sophia’s Teddy being by their sides.
After an evening hike, Ava and Sophia return to their cabin and discover Piggy and Teddy are gone! The girls refuse to leave their beloved stuffed animals outside overnight and quickly devise a rescue mission.
Ava knows that they’ll have to be fierce when they face the monsters lurking in the dark woods. The girls don’t have weapons to help them confront the monsters (Ava’s warrior sword is at home!), so they make their own using rubber bands, a hanger, and candy.
Not even the growls or the stinky smells of the creatures in the woods are going to stop them in their quest. Ava and Sophia are determined to rescue Piggy and Teddy—no matter what.
“The combination of tenderness for stuffed companions and the fierce bravery required to rescue them is fun and refreshing. . . Light entertainment for kids who like drama.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The tale is just a little scary, and the illustrations perfectly heighten the fear, fierceness, and love with atmospheric darkness, scary monsters, and the right amount of color to lighten things up. Ava and Sophia marshal their resources, manage their fear, and save their stuffies. Works fine as a stand-alone story.” —School Library Journal
“Ava is a role model for children in that she knows her worth, and allows her experience, best instincts, and available resources to guide her through challenges, and follows through on her actions. Ava the Monster Slayer; Cousin Power succeeds on many levels and would be an engaging addition to any child’s book collection.” —Windy City Reviews
Discussion Guide for Ava the Monster Slayer; Cousin Power
Ava and her cousin Sophia love their stuffed animals, Piggy and Teddy. Do you have a stuffed animal you love? Would you be willing to battle monsters to save your stuffed animal? What would you do to save them?
Ava and Sophia are scared because they are going to an overnight camp for the first time. Have you ever been scared to try something new? What did you do to feel calm and safe?
Ava and Sophia tell the camp counselor that Piggy and Teddy are lost in the woods, but the camp counselor tells the girls that it’s bedtime and they must wait until morning. How do you think the girls felt? How do the girls handle their feelings?
The girls decide they must rescue their stuffed animals, but they have no weapons. What do Ava and Sophia decide to do? What would you do?
When Ava and Sophia discover that the rough creature has Piggy and Teddy, Ava gets on her tippy toes and ROARS. But the creature SNARLS back. What does Ava do when things don’t turn out the way she hoped? Does she give up? What happens when things don’t turn out the right way the first time for you?
The girls yell, WE DID IT, when they defeat the rough creature. Have you done something that at first was hard for you? What have you done that makes you feel proud?
Correlates to Common Core Standard Reading Literature: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 3.1, 3.3, 3.6
Ava Up Close & Personal
(click to enlarge)
