Make back to school a monster mash with iconic voice actor Nancy Cartwright and her myriad voices for a gaggle of ghouls at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online®!
September 13, 2021
LOS ANGELES (September 13, 2021) – Known across the world as the voice of Bart Simpson on The Simpsons (for which she won a 1992 Emmy) as well as Rugrats’ “Chuckie,” if there’s one thing Nancy Cartwright knows how to do better than almost anyone it’s create crazy character voices that tickle kids’ funny bones! This back to school, Cartwright takes on the fourth installment of author Amanda Nolls’ popular “monster” series for the Storyline Online® read aloud of How I Met My Monster —a prequel to the saga of little Ethan and his big friendly monster who lives under his bed, Gabe.
Two of Nolls previous books, I Need My Monster and Hey, That’s My Monster! (read by Rita Moreno and Lily Tomlin, respectively) are two of the most popular stories in the Storyline Online® digital library, and now Cartwright and her amazing voice animations are joining this illustrious monster club! Written by Nolls, illustrated by Howard McWilliam, and published by Flashlight Press, How I Met My Monster is a celebrated addition to the library of read alouds from the Emmy-nominated Storyline Online®.
In fact, Foundation President and avid friendly-monster fan Courtney B. Vance is delighted. “You know, I don’t scare easily,” Vance says, “but I still prefer my monsters to be friendly, and that’s what is so wonderful about How I Met My Monster—it’s about making friends with what scares you. I approve, and, with the incredible Nancy Cartwright making all of those monsters really pop—really speak to you—it’s a winning combination for kids from all walks of life and of all ages—myself included!”
How I Met My Monster is another humorous adventure in the life of little Ethan who, in previous books, has had to cope with his monster Gabe going on vacation and getting snatched by Ethan’s little sister to be her monster, among other kid troubles. Now, we find out how Ethan and Gabe met in the first place, and it turns out, an entire class of monster-hopefuls had to audition in front of a teacher right there in Ethan’s bedroom! It’s a weirdly wonderful friendship of boy and beast that’s sure to please the entire family.
And Storyline Online’s newest reader Nancy Cartwright is thrilled. “I fell in love with this story the second I started reading it! The youthful insouciance of Amanda Nolls’ story gives the reader permission to NOT be afraid of monsters—under the bed or elsewhere—something kids AND adults can benefit from!” says Cartwright.
As with all Storyline Online videos, How I Met My Monster is accompanied by a complementary supplemental activity guide that aligns with Common Core Standards that strengthen verbal, written and comprehension skills. Aimed at K-2nd grade students, these activities encourage children to engage in critical thinking activities and explore the themes of each book, including topics such as conflict resolution, cultural diversity, individualism, facing fears, and family.
An educational brand since 2001, Storyline Online has seen significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic when remote learning has become a standardized norm within households. Boasting a 250% increase in views, and 750% surge in complementary activity guide downloads, the initiative has seen a sharp spike in engagement, proving to be an essential online resource for children worldwide. While many schools are reopening, Storyline Online remains committed to providing the extra help and extended family time that many families with school-age children need, as well as those with children at home.
Cartwright joins the Storyline Online cast of readers including Oprah Winfrey, Rami Malek, Viola Davis, Allison Janney, Chris Pine, Kristen Bell, Justin Theroux, Michelle Yeoh, Marc Maron and more who have volunteered their time and talent to promote literacy and inspire a love of reading in children.To watch How I Met My Monster and all of the Storyline Online videos, visit storylineonline.net. Keep up with new videos in 2021 by subscribing to Storyline Online on YouTube and following Storyline Online on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
