I enjoyed this book very much. It is the story behind the story of Frankenstein. Mary Shelly, the author of Frankenstein, had a very interesting life. Many things led Mary to write – what many people consider - the first science fiction novel. The book is written for both the young and old. However, this book leaves out some of Mary’s more adult experiences. The art goes extremely well with the story and enhances the book beautifully. The team of Linda Bailey (author) and Julia Sarda (illustrator) did a superb job. I would love to see these two do more books on other authors such as: H.G. Wells; Jules Verne and Edgar Allan Poe ( )

My review could not do justice to this well-written and beautifully illustrated book about Mary Shelley. I don't know where to begin, other than to say, Read This Book!!

I knew so very little of Mary Shelley. This is a special gift from a wonderful friend I connected with a few years ago on the 75 challenge threads. The book sat by my side for a while, on a pile of illustrated books. What a shame that I didn't read it then. But, I am so glad that I set this aside to read this year, and I wish I had read it earlier. But, I do believe that books find us, and this was the time to read about the incredible life of the creator of the exciting book Frankenstein.

Mary Shelley was a rebel, and was sent away to Scotland as a punishment for her inability to reign in her emotions. A child of a vast imagination she called her daydreams "castles in the air." To Mary, the daydreams she found in books, could never compare with her own thoughts. Her mother died when Mary was only eleven days young. Her father remarried a woman whom she despised and detested.

While she died when Mary was so very young, her biological mother was a great inspiration to her. When her mother wrote books, she did so because of a commitment and a firm belief that women should have the same rights as men. She spent countless hours visiting her mother's gravesite.

Mary wrote Frankenstein when she was only eighteen years old! As a young child, hiding behind the couch in the parlor when her father entertained Samuel Taylor, who held the attention of the the small group by reading The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, prodded Mary to later in her life, control the wildness of her thoughts and, using her fertile mind, she created a bleak book that held a lot of drama.

Roaming the barren hills of Scotland, her imagination was free to take her wherever she went. Returning to her family at the age of sixteen, she was still considered a supreme bother and big Problem. She ran away with the well-known poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, -- a perfect match, as he too was a dreamer. She even took her step sister with her. I can only imagine the consternation of her father and step mother!!!

As the book notes, they had very little money, but they traveled to Europe, on foot and with horse and donkey. Taking a boat along the Rhine River was instrumental to fomenting the ideas for Frankenstein. Seeing a old run-down castle, she called it Frankenstein.

What a fascinating life she had. With her husband, they traveled to Switzerland. There they met the world-famous poet Lord Byron. As storms rent the evening skies, the company told ghost stories.

I encourage you to obtain a copy of this book and read about the very fascinating life -- and exceptional mind -- of a young woman 18 year old woman who dared to beat the odds and wrote and had her book Frankenstein published. ( )

A tender tale of how Frankenstein came to be!

I first saw this in my library in the reserved pile for a customer. I took a picture of it with my phone and have been thinking of it ever since. Glad I got to read it today.

I LOVED the illustrations. They add so much delicious detail, mood and atmosphere. The books on little Mary's floor. The portrait of her mother by the bed. This dark, gloomy, inspirational book is one of my immediate favourites.

Love, love, love. Will have to reread this for sure! ( )

This picture book biography of Mary Shelley touches briefly on her early life and then investigates the circumstances behind the writing of her famous novel Frankenstein. It is appropriate for fairly young readers (although death of a parent, as well as some other dark elements may not make it the best read for sensitive readers). An author's note goes into more details than the main story for readers who want to learn more. (A bibliography is also provided for those who want to do further research.) The illustrations throughout are lovely -- they provide tons of extra details to draw the eye in and use a dark palette along with some unusual images for just the right amount of creepiness. ( )

Top 100 pick because:

Mary Shelley. I don't need to write much else really...but alright the accounts of Mary are newly fascinating each time I read them. And in recent years there have been various versions of the imfamous dare to write a ghost story in books, graphic novels, & movies. This book is absolutely my favorite so far, likely because it does actually focus on Mary more than the others. The illustrations are utter perfection for the subject matter-gothic inspired-a certain dark, macabre drama in tone and texture. I love it. ( )