Nika Dubrovsky and Noel Bush

drawings by Nika and Benjamin

BOOK 2: MONSTER LANGUAGE!
MONSTROUS CURSIVE This work is copyright ©2010 by Nika Dubrovsky and Noel Bush. It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution­NonCommercial­
BOOK 2: MONSTROUS CURSIVE!
by Nika Dubrovsky and Noel Bush ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Illustrated by Nika Dubrovsky and Benjamin Bush

ISBN: 978­0­9830021­0­9

First published 2010 HUH?!?

What we mean is this: You can make copies of this book. You can give them to your friends, your students, your teacher—whoever
you like! Just be sure to keep our names on it.

And please be so kind as to let us know how you liked the book, and how you've used it. You can write to us at
cursive@kurlymurly.org. Better yet, visit our web site and post a message that everybody can read! Check out http://kurlymurly.org.

If you want to make changes to this book, we can send you the source files—we only ask that you grant the same rights to copy
and modify this work as we've granted to you. (Of course, in that case you should also add your name to ours!)

If you want to sell copies of this book, please get in touch with us first.

We like the idea that people will copy and reuse our work. We think it stinks when people try to take those rights away from others.
Sharing is good, right? If you like sharing too, you can learn more about the Creative Commons at http://creativecommons.org.

Enjoy!
 Hi there! This is a book about learning cursive.
You know...
the writing that looks like
this!
It can take a little time to learn how to read
cursive, and a little more time to learn how to
write it. But once you've got it down, it's really
handy! Even if you do most of your writing using
a computer, there are times when you need to
write something by hand, and cursive is a lot
faster than block lettering! 1
In this activity book, we're asking
you to help translate what our
friends the Cursive Monsters are
saying, or to tell us what you think
they are doing.

Just like when you first see

cursive, some people might think
what they are saying and doing is
strange. But we know that you
can help us sort it out.
2
In some cases, we will ask you to
"translate" what the monsters are
saying. Don't worry, there are no
wrong answers. Use your imagination!

We also need your help to give the

monsters names, and to tell us what
you think they are doing.

On the left-hand pages, you'll find

outlines to help you practice writing
cursive letters. Have fun!
3
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
AaBbCcDdEeFf
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
GgHhIiJjKkLl
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
MmNnOoPpQqRr
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
SsTtUuVvWwXx
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Y y Z z Gor Shleem Meep
4
 What does that mean?
Gor! Shleem!
Zablamor? %%%%%%%%%%%%%
Meep!
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Name this Monster: %%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
5
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Daha daha smorto Smoto
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Noo noo flan Flan patata
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Patata char Char Kirat kirat
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
aha mor lan atat har ira
6
 Daha, Noo, flan patata
smorto! char? Kirat.

What are they talking about?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Names of Monsters: %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
7
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Moonast den perwan.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Thamatosis tal. Ab Ba Ca Da
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Ef Fa Ga He Ib Je Ka Le
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Ma Ni Po Qu Ri So Te Uv Vu
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Xy Za moon june spoon
8
 Translation:
Moonast den
perwan. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Thamatosis tal. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Name of Monster:

%%%%%%%%%%%%%
9
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
AaBbCcDdEeFf
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
GgHhIiJjKkLl
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
MmNnOoPpQqRr
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
SsTtUuVvWwXx
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Y y Z z Eh eh Tikvor bort
10
Name this Monster:
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Eh, eh, eh! Tikvor
moonadyoo,
klyovatsim. Bort.
What did he say?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
11
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
AaBbCcDdEeFf
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
GgHhIiJjKkLl
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
MmNnOoPpQqRr
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
SsTtUuVvWwXx
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Y y Z z you she he it they
12
Give me a name!
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Remember me? What do you think I am doing
in this picture?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
13
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
elf wizard dragon knight
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
princess king pirate witch
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
dwarf troll giant ogre spell
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
potion magic sword quest
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
treasure ghost legend queen
14
Name of Monster:
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
What do you think this
monster is thinking?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
15
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
AaBbCcDdEeFf
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
GgHhIiJjKkLl
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
MmNnOoPpQqRr
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
SsTtUuVvWwXx
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Y y Z z lion tiger bear snake
16
 Oooo: This must be something very interesting!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%

Name of Monster:

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 17
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Mother mother Mom Mum
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Father father Dad Daddy
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
brother sister cousin uncle
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
aunt nephew niece grandma
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
grandpa husband wife friend
18
Name of Monster:
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
What do you think this monster is looking at?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
AaBbCcDdEeFf
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
GgHhIiJjKkLl
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
MmNnOoPpQqRr
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
SsTtUuVvWwXx
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
YyZz
20
 Watch out! What is this one up to?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Name of Monster:
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21
Here's some blank space for practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22
Name of Monster:
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Is something wrong?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Sun sun Mercury Venus
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Uranus Neptune Pluto comet
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
asteroid galaxy cosmos star
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
black hole Universe Big Bang
24
This one looks friendly. Where do you think she is going?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Name of Monster:
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 25
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
apple banana celery date
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
endive fig guava horseradish
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
ita palm jalapeño kohlrabi
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
lemon melon nori orange
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
plum quince radish spinach
26
Name of Monster:

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
This monster seems to be saying something interesting.

Smort? Seet! Seet! Gof.

Borton buzzy grass slahm.
Fennem mennem blenn.
But what in the world does it mean?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
head hair ears eyes nose lips
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
teeth tongue forehead cheek
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
chin neck shoulder arm elbow
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
wrist finger thumb palm chest
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
belly button hip thigh knee
28
Name of Monster:
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
What's up with this monster?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29
Here's some more blank space for practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30
Are these two friends? What are they doing?
%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%
Names of Monsters: %%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%% 31
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
in out around through between
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
inside outside upside down off
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
on stop go start pause play
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
rewind forward reverse along
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
backward among within atop
32
What is happening here?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

33
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Russia Germany France
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Japan Italy Sweden Nigeria
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Egypt Haiti Belize Chile Togo
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Denmark Pakistan Iraq USA
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Jordan Morocco Djibouti
34
Write the names of these monsters!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%%%%%%%%%%%
35
Trace and practice!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
store movie theater park plaza
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
playground mall house bank
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
supermarket library school
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
station museum pool beach
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
forest stadium ice skating rink
36
What are these monsters planning?

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%
37
http://kurlymurly.org