Written by Cristy Burne
My debut spooky middle grade series for readers aged 8 and up. High on thrills and Japanese mythology. If you’re lucky, your local library will have copies. I hope that one day a whole new generation of readers can enjoy these adventures.
- Free teaching notes and activities
- WINNER: FRANCES LINCOLN DIVERSE VOICES CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD
- Selected for the UK BookTrust 2010 Booked Up program
- Featured on the BBC’s Blue Peter
- Translated into Finnish and Indonesian
Book 1: Takeshita Demons
“A gripping, superbly written debut novel” – Writeaway
“Two young girls being brave and clever without a hint of pink or glitter on the cover? Hooray!” – The Age
“This rollicking ride is totally deserving of the Frances Lincoln Diverse Voices Children’s Book Award” – The West Australian
A thrilling contemporary adventure wittily shot through with the powerful fantasy stories of the old demons from the Japanese past.” – Julia Eccleshare of LoveReading4Kids
Book 2: The Filth Licker
Featuring the adorable aka-na-me, or filth licker monster. Beware: if you don’t clean your bathroom, the aka-na-me will come and clean it for you…
“Perfect for those that like their monsters gross rather than gory” Inis Magazine, Ireland
“Highly original and wonderfully entertaining” Spine Chills, Australia
“A fast-paced and hugely entertaining contemporary adventure.” LoveReading4Kids, UK
“A compulsive read. “Parents in Touch UK
“One of my favourite series for younger, confident readers.” My Favourite Book Blog
Book 3: Monster Matsuri
A matsuri is a giant festival or party… But watch out: a monster matsuri is…monstrous!
“I really liked the first 2 instalments, but I LOVE this one!..Like Spirited Away combined with a Famous Five camaraderie” GoodReads
“This is one to give to the adventure loving nine or ten year old kid who likes being a little scared–some of the demons are more than somewhat frightening (although there’s no goryness).” – Charlotte’s Library
“As with the author’s two earlier titles this is a fast-paced, compulsive read that appeals to a wide audience; children as young as 8 or 9 through to adults.” – Julia Eccleshare (children’s editor of the Guardian).
About yokai monsters:
Japanese monsters are better known as yokai (妖怪).
They have featured in Japanese fairy tales, folklore and mythology for centuries. Scholars have been cataloguing yokai species in encyclopedias and databases since the 1770s.
Check out the yokai featured in Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3.
Related blog posts:
Japanese monsters
- 8 body parts you will want: Super cool demon anatomy
- 8 cool dog myths, and why the inugami dog-god didn’t make it
- 8 signs that your snail is an ogre: Sazae-oni revealed
- 8 spooky Japanese proverbs
Cristy Burne - Science, Creativity, Adventure 