BOOK REVIEW
I don't spend time on plot summary, so please read the book synopsis above.
HALL WAYS REVIEW: I loved this book so much that as soon as I finished reading the digital ARC, I pre-ordered the hardcover copy...and am considering ordering it in French, too, just because I can! (It's also available in German, the original language in which it was written, and Spanish. Cool!)
“They fly and gallop through our dreams and remind us that there is so much more to the world beyond our human creations.” – author Cornelia Funke
The cover of Fabulous Creatures entices with original artwork (HOORAY!), and the illustrations within the book are out of this world. The illustrator has even drawn delightful borders around the edges to draw the eyes in to the vibrant drawings. Each creature feature consumes every inch of the two-page spreads, making this book absolutely mesmerizing. Even the youngest readers will be kept engaged and enjoying this selection of mythical beasts from around the world.
Author Cornelia Funke’s accompanying text (which was wonderfully translated by the author’s daughter into English) is well-written, informative, and full of fascinating tidbits. It’s interesting that the author inserts herself and opinions in the story, even countering one legend with, “But I think that’s a lie!” (Otso)
“I hope Tumu-Rai’I Fenua keeps on trying.”
As an adult reader, I am aware of many of the critters featured in the book, but I learned more about them (Phoenixes are Egyptian!). I loved seeing the sweet and gentle Qilin get a mention. I remember that critter from one of the Fantastic Beasts movies. Wouldn’t it be handy to have a few of those around to judge the purity of our souls? There were just as many creatures I’d never heard of, like Tumu-Rai’I Fenua, a giant kraken, who “is said to have once had the task of teaching us humans how to live in peace and harmony.” But we quit listening…siiigh.
My only gripe is the print font size. I read an eBook ARC, but I read it on my very large computer screen, and the font was still very small; like 10pt small, and some pages are word-heavy for a picture book. Young eyes won’t have trouble with the print size, but the author uses a robust and somewhat advanced vocabulary for the audience, so a new reader might struggle with sounding out words and comprehension (and an older reader might need a magnifying glass). Being a glass-half-full kinda reader, the plus side is that the text is unobtrusive and allows the illustrations to take center stage.
There’s a bit of an abrupt ending, and I’d expected that there’d be some concluding page showing all the creatures and to sum up things before going right into the about the author/book info (which has no heading to offset it). But my quibbles are minor, and this is a book I must have in hardcover to share with my grandkids. Can’t wait for pub day!
Thanks to the publisher for reaching out for a review.
About the author
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