Breathing life into the Monstons

Animator brings monster family to life in first book

Jared Barber isn’t embarrassed to be thought of as childlike.

In fact, he describes himself as an “eight-year-old happily at home” in the body of a 30-something man.

“It is absolutely thrilling to add that extra spark of fun and imagination into others’ lives, that I remember having,” says the 33-year-old character animator at Winnipeg’s Frantic Films.

His first children’s book, The Monstons, is the story of a family of magical creatures who celebrate their daughter’s birthday.

Barber wants to put smiles on the faces of as many children as he can.

“Every time I lay pencil to paper and then look around at the smiles from kids and parents, I think there’s no better way to use my artistic talents.”

The story is about Nosimad’s (little girl) birthday and it’s about the gift she receives.

The characters in the story include Nosimad’s father, mother, twin sisters, plus three family pets.

It’s not so much about life lessons but about seeing characters come to life, which children can follow through the story.

“I needed a vehicle to introduce these characters. When I was a kid, did I know what the life lessons were in books? No. Did I remember the colours and the characters? Yes, for sure,” says Barber.

As a character animator at Frantic Films his job is to “breathe life” into characters that are static.

He attended Ontario’s Sheridan College, one of the country’s best classical animation schools and then returned to Winnipeg after graduating with top honours.

At Frantic Films he has worked as an animator for films such as Scooby Doo and Superman Returns.

“After Sheridan, 3-D was on the rise in the industry at the time and I was crazy about animation.”

Barber’s knack for creating colourful, vibrant characters is what impressed James Starke.

A family friend, Starke got to read Barber’s book as it progressed.

“I saw these characters when they were drawings on loose leaf and that was the first time I ever saw his art work. His creativity is so great,” says Starke, 30, who lives in Elmwood.

His daughter Sydney, 9, and his step-daughter Hannah, 6 enjoyed the book and the characters. Sydney would often sit down with Barber and draw.

“He does things a little bit different and that’s the key, like the eye on the tail of the dog (Zeus in the book).”

Starke likes Barber’s child-like imagination and the way he keeps his characters moving throughout the Monstons story.

“I say this all the time about Jared. He’s got a 60-year-old’s wisdom along with the imagination of a six-year-old.”

Barber said the inspiration for his story was his sister’s family. He originally sat down to draw a one-page Christmas card to send them.

Instead, it turned into the Monstons story.

“I turned all of them into monsters,” Barber quips, adding the Christmas card was never sent.

He says it took him some time to get the characters just right.

“Oh dozens and dozens I drew. It’s like finding your own house. All of them have bathrooms, kitchens and stairs etc. Then there’s this one that just sticks with you.”

He hopes to write more books and says he might introduce a “villain” in his next one.

Books can be ordered online at www.polaranimation.com and could be in local stores by Halloween.

Barber says the website also features news, games and contests.