Gargoyles : Monsters in Stone (All Aboard Reading, Level 2) [Paperback]

Jennifer Dussling (Author), Peter Church (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

Describes different kinds of gargoyles, how they are created, and how they function as waterspouts.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Grade 1-3-Brief, staccato sentences relate the history of gargoyles from the Middle Ages to the present. Unfortunately, the excellent illustrations are poorly served by the choppy, stiff text that reads like a series of flat statements rather than a flowing narrative-"...we do know what gargoyles were used for. They drained off water. Rain could wear away the stone of a church. So gargoyles kept the water away from the church's walls." Full-page color drawings illustrate the use of these decorative statues in medieval churches, the workmen and artisans who designed them, and their practical use as drainpipes. Elaborate borders frame each double-page spread. Adequate, but flawed.
Lisa Smith, Lindenhurst Memorial Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Dussling packs a great amount of information into a book that primary-grade students can easily handle, and Church's artwork is as informative as the text. After introducing the stone monsters that sit atop churches and other buildings, the author discusses gargoyles' medieval origins and answers some of the perennial questions that surround their purpose and use: Gargoyles, we learn, were placed on churches to ward off evil but, more practically, were often used as rainwater drains. A final few pages talk about modern-day gargoyles. In his illustrations, Church does an excellent job of showing children both the horror and the individuality of gargoyles, those from the medieval past as well as the ones still produced today. His intricately framed artwork, in colors that sometimes seem to glow, has a three-dimensional feeling, with both churches and gargoyles appearing to have the heft of stone. Particularly well executed, both in word and art, is the discussion of how a gargoyle is carved. A fine treatment of an intriguing topic and a terrific way of introducing new readers to nonfiction. From the All Aboard Reading series. Ilene Cooper

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (June 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0448419610
• ISBN-13: 978-0448419619
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,318,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than An Easy Reader!, June 9, 2000

By 

Frank Murphy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gargoyles : Monsters in Stone (All Aboard Reading, Level 2) (Paperback)

Children will walk away from this easy reader with a wealth of knowledge about gargoyles! The illustrations complement the rich and accessible text by giving a medieval feel! A great read aloud! A great independent read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gathering of gargoyles, May 25, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gargoyles : Monsters in Stone (All Aboard Reading, Level 2) (Paperback)

"Gargoyles: Monsters in Stone" is a fine educational book by young readers. Jennifer Dussling's text is accompanied by Peter Church's charming full-color illustrations. Together, these collaborators explain the story behind the stone gargoyles that can be seen high up on many buildings.

The book explains the practical function of the gargoyles (to drain water from buildings). The book also explains how a stone carver creates a gargoyle, and illustrates various types of gargoyles. The illustrations are particularly pleasing, as are the Celtic-looking design borders that are used on the pages. A must-have for kids with an interest in the topic.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never too young for gargoyles, November 24, 2000

By 

John Tanner (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gargoyles : Monsters in Stone (All Aboard Reading, Level 2) (Paperback)

You know what? My daughter, 23 months, LOVES this book. Gargoyle (or rather, "ga-goyle") has become one of her favorite words. She asks for this book by name frequently, and excitedly points out gargoyles she sees on local buildings in Chicago. This is a pleasant change of pace from the usual childhood fare.