Mythical Birds and Beasts from Many Lands

Mayo, Margaret. Mythical Birds and Beasts from Many Lands. New York : Dutton Children's Books, 1997.

Plot: The text includes classic stories of some of the world's most famous mythical creatures. Unicorns and Phoenix enjoy stories highlighting their unusual lifestyles and near-divine power. Other tales, particularly the story of the mermaid and pegasus, serve to warn listeners of pride and perilous creatures. A few tales attempt to explain the origin of particular land or cultural features, such as the story of the thunder bird, Quetzacoatl, and naga. The book also features bright, elaborate illustrations of the creatures and their actions.

Genre: Animals, Folktales

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: The Water Horse, Greek Myths

Personal Thoughts: The book manages to utilize solid storytelling to introduce little-known creatures like the naga and refresh popular ones like the unicorn. Personally, I do not particularly care for the illustration style, which mixes watercolor, printed text, and layered paper. Yet, the pictures still manage to add to the exotic aspect of the "Many Lands" title. Highly recommended for fans of mythology and fairy tales. 

A Book of Magic Animals

Manning-Sanders, Ruth. A Book of Magic Animals. New York : Dutton, 1974.

Plot: A collection of supernatural animal stories from around the world. Some of the creatures, such as a clever monkey, small-toothed dog, golden goose, and eloquent bear, merely hide human beings under the enchanted coats of their respective animals. Other beasts are genuinely what they appear to be, such as a generous ox from Europe. A few, though, hide genuinely magical traits within their furry bodies or slimy skin. All of them participate in the destruction of evil to achieve happy endings.

Genre: Animals, Folktales

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: A Book of Dragons, The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales from Around the World, Aesop's Fables

Personal Thoughts: A book tragically no longer in print. Rather than try to tempt readers with new stories or updated revisions, Manning-Sanders simply records the stories in a classical manner, which manages to capture ageless themes in a refreshing form. The title proves a book does not need to be original to be entertaining, but needs to offer a good story.

The Beasts of Never: A Natural History and Unnatural Monsters Mythical and Magical

McHargue, Georgess. The Beasts of Never: A Natural History and Unnatural Monsters Mythical and Magical. New York : Delacorte Press, 1988.

Plot: Throughout history, tales of supernatural creatures stalked every culture. The book attempts to identify some of the most famous mythical creatures and their powers. However, the text also tries to recognized the original sources of the creatures. For example, dragons may have sprung from sightings of large crocodiles and snakes. McHargue traces various creatures' changes through history, as well. For example, naturalists initially depicted unicorns as fierce, donkey-like or ox-like creatures, while modern interpretations display them as benign equine animals. Eventually, the text realizes nearly all myths are merely stories. With exceptions. Even in modern times, some myths, such as the Loch Ness monster manage to capture the imagination and inspire new stories.

Genre: Folktales, Fairy Tales, Animals, History

Reading Level: Grades 4-9; some technical language may annoy readers, however.

Similar Titles: Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Magic of Mythical Creatures

Personal Thoughts: While the book presents abundant information, it has not aged well. Many of the facts about modern animals, such as eels, one-horned goats, and narwhals, are not accurate. Some of the "facts" about Nessie became known as hoaxes after the book's publication. Also, the technical language can intimidate the reader. Still, it offers a solid attempt to explain the unexplainable, saving it from the library's book sale bin.

Side Note: The little white dragon in the backgrounds for this week was actually commissioned by a co-worker. I just wanted to show it off a little.

Unicorns and Mythological Beasts

Piggy-backing on last week's unicorn themes, next week will focus on mythical creatures...like dragons.

Dragons in the kitchen!

Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: Book 4; A Unicorn's Tale

Murphy, Kelly. Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: Book 4; A Unicorn's Tale. New York : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Childrens, 2011.

Plot: Despite Aunt Phil's insistence, Nathaniel cannot stop believing his parents are alive. He also cannot stop his aunt from moving, especially when a distressed farmer calls her to remove a large water monster from his well. After a successful transportation, Aunt Phil, Nathaniel, Cornelius (a dodo), and Greasle (a gremlin) find themselves called to assist a sick unicorn. While Aunt Phil insists the needs of the creature comes first, Nathaniel frets about missing any possible information on his parents. He also notices some unusual weather and noises in the unicorn's forest. Aunt Phil, however, realizes something wonderful is about to happen. The unicorn will soon give birth. Yet, the celebration quickly ends when a malicious relative arrives with a proposition threatening the unicorn, the forest, and the future of beastologists.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Into the Land of Unicorns, Wizard at Work, The Magician's Boy

Personal Thoughts: Overall, the title offers and enjoyable read. The characters, story, and themes offer a refreshing view of the "fantasy apprentice" plot by utilizing traditional myths and turn of the century adventure elements within the story.

However, Aunt Phil tends to threaten the otherwise stable tale. Despite her title as a mentor, seems poorly suited for her role. She is the guardian of Nathaniel, but he often takes a secondary role to her work. As she continues to act for the creatures, she pelts her lessons to Nathaniel with heavy-handed, out of place anti-war and anti-hunting themes. Additionally, she dismisses his concerns concerning his parents, his friend, and his situation. She simply fails to act like an adult. For example, when confronted by the villain, who states she has forty-eight hours to give into his demands, she chooses the least responsible response. Aunt Phil immediately tries to solve the problem by herself, eventually pressing Nathaniel to assist her. While this may add to the drama of the story, it also weakens her as a believable character. The villain was a legal target (he admitted to kidnapping and theft), so local or international authorities could have assisted. Instead, she makes a juvenile plan with the forced help of an elementary student, leading to a no-win situation.

Still, in spite of the presence of a useless adult, the story offers a solid blend of excitement, lore, and drama.

Side Note: Jerome wants to pet the unicorn.

The Truth About Unicorns

Giblin, James Cross. The Truth About Unicorns. New York, N.Y. : HarperCollinsPublishers, 1991.

Plot: The titles provides an in-depth examination of the stories, art, and creatures inspiring unicorns. Originally, descriptions of unicorns seemed donkey- or stag-like in Europe, but more like an ox or dog in Asia. However, Medieval beliefs in unicorns inspired new stories and art, including a series of elegant, equine-based tapestries currently housed a New York. Eventually, science attempted to mimic the myth by manipulating the horn buds of bulls and goats, although the results hardly matched the glamor of the myths. Still, despite the attempts of logic and science, the image of the unicorn as the ideal creature remains.

Genre: History, Animals, Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 4-9. However, some descriptions are fairly technical, so use discretion when recommending it.

Similar Titles:The Unicornis Manuscripts: On the History and Truth of the Unicorn, The Secret of the Sphinx

Personal Thoughts: The title balanced myth, history, and science nicely. "Original" descriptions and stories of the mono-horned animals seep seamlessly into beliefs of the time. However, doubters and scientists also find mention, not as naysayers, but as genuine aspects of history. Eventually, the book addresses environmental issues, since narwhals and rhinos, two creatures credited with the unicorn myth, face pressures from hunting and habitat issues.

Side note: No! Bad Dragon! Don't eat the maiden!

Opposing Viewpoints: Unicorns

Gaffron, Norma. Opposing Viewpoints: Unicorns. San Diego, Calif. : Greenhaven Press, 1989.

Plot: Everyone knows unicorns do not exist...maybe. Beyond the single horn, the creatures described as unicorns varied widely, ranging from "traditional" horned horses to scaled, sacred kirins. Yet, nearly every culture shared stories throughout history of single-horned creatures. The book suggests the universal appeal of the unicorn may hint at an actual creature. To support the claim, various aspects of the unicorn myth find examination in the image-heavy title.

Genre: Fantasy, Folklore, Animals

Reading Level: Grades4-9

Similar Titles: Secret World of Unicorns, Opposing Viewpoints: Water Monsters

Personal Thoughts: The title has potential, but the argument fails to convince the reader. Unicorns, argues the book, could exist. Unfortunately, instead of supplying explanations, the title seems content to relay myths and superstitions. While such items entertain the reader, they fail to support the claim. The failure seems unfair, since support for the argument exists. For example, most myths state the unicorn lives in Asia, Europe, or Africa, all of which suffered many large animal extinctions during the times of the myths. A one-horned creature could easily fit among them. Additionally, nearly every continent contains stories describing a unicorn, implying a one-horned creature may have existed. However, no such statements exist within the text, leaving the attempt to oppose the common belief against unicorns unsatisfactory.