Here Be Monsters! An Adventure Involving Magic, Trolls, and Other Creatures; The Ratbridge Chronicles Volume 1 Family

Do boxtrolls and cabbageheads have families? We're not quite sure, but a lot of the other characters in Here Be Monsters! do. Humans like Arthur, Grandfather, the Trouts, and Snatcher all come from families, while the rabbit women—abandoned by their human families—forge kinship bonds with the rabbits that take them in. We know rats have families, since the captain of the Ratbridge Nautical Laundry mentions that his brother Pickles is one of the missing rats. Freshwater sea-cows also have families.

The important thing is, regardless of species, families seem to come together in times of need and times of joy in this book, and interestingly, they don't just follow biology either.

Questions About Family

1. How would you describe Arthur and Grandfather's relationship?
2. What do all of the family relationships in the book have in common?
3. How do you think Snatcher's family background influences his life?
4. If boxtrolls and cabbageheads have families, what do you think they are like?

Chew on This

Family in this book is less about biology and more about being there when someone needs you.

Willbury's relationship with the boxtrolls and cabbageheads is family-like because of their closeness and their willingness to help each other through difficult times.