Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, from the smallest of faeries to big hairy trolls.

In order to catch that pesky garden gnome, or stop that sea giant from destroying your city, every monster hunter needs to take steps to prepare themselves.

Step 1: Always have a policyMonster hunting can be a very dangerous job. Whether you are just a beginner or trying to freshen up your skill set, it’s always best for us monster catchers to have a policy that we operate by. There are many ways to run a monster-hunting business; here are a few methods to choose from:

n Catch-and-release n Catch-and-keep n Catch-and-relocate

Step 2: Do Your ResearchAll the great monster catchers know how to identify a monster and recognize their character traits. The best way to be prepared is to learn and do your research. A good resource to keep handy on your bookshelves is In the Shadow of Monsters by monster hunter and photographer Dr. Frederick March.

Step 4: share your knowledgeWhen you’ve got your monster-hunting business up and run-ning, and have begun capturing some of these interesting and miraculous creatures, share your knowledge! Help other young monster catchers in the making by writing an article in Peculiar, the monthly magazine for monster fans, or you can write your own book of your many adventures and tips just like Dr. March.

Step 3: Prepare your toolsNow, every great monster hunter has a set of supplies and tools at the ready. Whether you need to capture goblins who are stealing all the lights out of the backyard or trying to get a-hold of a faery before their wings take them too far out of your reach, it’s always best to have tools at your disposal.

Ready your tool kit, monster hunters!

an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

Happy Hunting,

!

henry holt

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The Monster Catchers by George Brewington