Welcome to The Monster & The Child

where childhood studies and monster studies collide!
I am Dr. Kathleen Kellett, a public scholar, educator, and storyteller.

The Monster & The Child is my organization dedicated to education for and about young people through the lens of monster stories.

Why monsters? Well, how better to learn about what a culture values than by studying what it fears? And when it comes to monster stories that deal with childhood, I believe that by unpacking these values and fears, we can break down cultural assumptions and build a society that really cares about and works to improve young people’s lived experiences.

These are the conversations I want to bring to all of you, through book clubs, educational mentorship, and public scholarship. Thanks for exploring my work!

Join the Program Get in Touch
Young creature in a liminal area like a mall with an escalator, surrounded by books and monsters.

Youth Monsterology and Monster Book Club

Youth Monsterology is a guided reading and educational mentorship program for teenagers.

Youth Monsterology

This experience combines literature, critical thinking, and self-directed projects in a space designed to build intellectual confidence and connections.

Adult and Teen Monster Book Clubs

These clubs provide a community of monster fans tackling the big questions: what are the rules of being human – and when should we break them?

Meet Dr. Kathleen Kellett

I hold a PhD in Childhood Studies, an MA in Children's Literature, and an MFA in Writing for Children. I am an experienced college-level writing instructor and tutor for middle- and high-school students.

In 2022, I created a Monster Book Club with high schoolers from across the United States for my doctoral dissertation research. Over six months, we read and analyzed YA speculative fiction novels and produced theories of monstrosity grounded in contemporary teen experiences.

Now, I'm expanding that work into mentorships, book clubs, and public scholarship!

Read My Full Story →

Voices of Former Participants

"Monster Book Club was more free, and I felt more open to talk about my actual thoughts... It was a comfortable experience talking about books and not having to feel judged for it."

Keleigh
Former participant, now a college junior studying biology

"It just gave me a space to be able to be that open... there was just less fear of judgment in the book club. I was not very good at 'what's the symbolism' before going in. And those are skills you need."

Sophie
Former participant, now a college senior studying social work

Public Scholarship

Accessible, research-driven videos on childhood and monster studies.

View All Videos

Help Fund Student Access

Contributions directly support scholarships, making the program accessible to more students.

Any Amount

Support scholarship funding and receive a thank-you in upcoming videos.

$10

A YouTube Short on a topic of your choice.

$25

Two Shorts OR written feedback on up to 5 pages.

$45+

Feedback, Zoom session, OR three Shorts.

Join or Support the Monster Book Club

Whether you're a student, parent, or supporter, there's a place for you here.

Join the Program Get in Touch