Fabulous Monsters

Williams, Marcia. Fabulous Monsters. Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 1999.

Plot: The book features comic book styled stories of five fantastic monsters. Isikukumanderu taunts the plains of Africa after a proud princess refuses to use her manners. The chimera falls only to a hero riding a mythical winged horse. An island suffers under siege after the birth of a flock of basilisk. While a man attempts to protect his younger brother, sibling loyalty cannot stop the fury of the bunyip. After discovering something wrong in a golden hall, Beowulf faces the power of not one monster, but two. Monsters arise for the trials, wits, and glory of heroes in this collection.

Genre: Monsters, Comics, Illustrations

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Creature Carnival, The One Right Thing, Mythical Monsters of Ancient Greece

Personal Thoughts: The book represents one of the many comic book/story book hybrids. It reminds me of the Where's Waldo book series, since the alert reader can notice additional comedic quotes and pictures in addition to the main "quest" of the story. However, the illustrations are not as well presented as they could be. Many of the monsters, despite their various origins and descriptions, are drawn similarly. The heroes often appear more static than the environment around them. Also, a few of the stories, such as the one involving Grendel and the chimera, end abruptly. Still, the book will please those fond of the genre and may provide a gentle introduction to major literary monsters.