THE ADVENTURES OF MONTY HORTON
(www.montyhorton.com)
If you liked The Magic School Bus, you’ll love Monty!
Science Literacy
A desire to increase literacy appears to be a global phenomenon. In North America, an increased emphasis on accountability and standards-based education has led to the establishment of provincial and national organizations committed to increasing literacy. Concurrently, a focus on science literacy has been emerging although it is in the early stages of conceptual development. We believe that we have created a concept that touches both science & literacy…in a way that is meaningful and yet fun.
The Adventures of Monty Horton
Name: Monty Horton
Age: Not yet 12!
Occupation: Student (I wish someone would pay me!)
Favourite Superhero: Spiderman
Favourite Villain: Magneto
What I want to be when I grow up: Who cares – I’m having too much fun now!
Monty does have a lot of fun while simultaneously driving his teacher Ms. Jenkins crazy. His best friend Mason, geeky Earl, game freak Cody, smarty pants Mary, Marlon the Melon Head and the Cheeseburger girls Megan and Kerry, are just some of the fun loving cool kids in The Adventures of Monty Horton.
Rationale for a new series:
The Magic School Bus was an excellent example of literacy through science and its fans included not only children in the age 3 – 10 group but their parents and teachers also. Whenever an episode is used in my Science Education class (taught to final year teacher candidates), the excitement is palpable and yet, we (my teachers and I) are aware that there is no show on TV or book series that has the elements that made Magic School Bus so successful. There is no doubt that students (and teachers!) the world over often have trouble explaining major scientific concepts that have shaped our understanding of the universe…let alone the scientists who conceived those ideas. We think Monty has the ability to do that: it is exciting for children, is educational without laying it on thick, adults like it, and teachers can use it.
Current Titles
These are currently available in paperback.
1. The Adventures of Monty Horton: A Space Adventure
In this adventure, Monty and his class visit the Canadian Space Agency and he gets stowed away on the first Canadian Shuttle to space. Imagine how shocked he is when he begins to understand Einstein’s concept of Special Relativity!
2. The Adventures of Monty Horton: A Poolside Adventure
A March Break holiday, spent at his Grandma’s cottage on Victoria Island allows Monty to meet Grandma’s weird tenant who lives in the basement…and he ends up floating on air! This story introduces Archimedes and the concept of buoyancy.
3. The Adventures of Monty Horton: A Sweet Adventure!
Monty’s best friend Mason is sick, and no one knows why. A visit to Canada’s Wonderland in Toronto and a ride on the exhilarating Behemoth – gives Monty some clues. But, a naughty climb up a tree, in the middle of the night is what leads him to the secret. Monty finds out about Banting and Best and their discovery of Insulin to cure Diabetes.
Upcoming Titles:
1. The Adventures of Monty Horton: A Jungle Adventure (Sept, 2010)
Monty’s dad is away working in Tanzania. A summer trip to spend the time with him goes awry when Monty’s plane has to land suddenly in the Gombe National Park. Monty doesn’t feel too bad, until a family of Gorilla’s act like he is their long lost son! In this adventure, we introduce Jane Goodall and her work on primates in the Gombe National Park in East Africa.
2. The Adventures of Monty Horton: An Olympic Adventure (Oct, 2010)
Monty’s new sneakers came from footlocker but they make him feel like Superman. He’s beating everyone at track and his high jumps have obliterated everything in the record books. You’ve got to read what happens on the biggest meet of the season! This adventure introduces the concept of gravity and Isaac Newton.
