Wonder Beasts: Tales and Lore of the Phoenix, the Griffin, the Unicorn, and the Dragon (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The fabled phoenix is a crimson, gold, and purple bird with sweeping tail and jeweled eyes..." (more)
Key Phrases: Phoenix the Great Bird, Little People, Dragon King (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up--This rather academic treatment of the beasts of legends includes encyclopedia-like entries, excerpts from classic texts, and more modern tales. Each chapter begins by tracing the orgins of the creature and discusses the forms it has taken in various cultures. Nigg presents ancient writings from such people as Herodotus, Pliny the Elder, and Ovid to give a historical literary picture, then includes more engaging stories from writers such as E. Nesbit and Lewis Carroll. Students who are working on reports or dedicated fantasy readers will find a wealth of hard-to-find information, particularly on the phoenix and the griffin, if they can get past the dry presentation and dull format. All of the type is set in a cranberry-colored font, and the sketches and maps are rendered in the same color, which creates little visual interest. For pleasure reading, students may prefer Jane Yolen's Here There Be Dragons (1993) and Here There Be Unicorns (1994, both Harcourt), which cover two of the same creatures as this collection and include more stories. The author provides an extensive list of references, but neglects to mention Yolen's books or Bruce Coville's Unicorn Treasury (Doubleday, 1988). Wonder Beasts is more similar in tone to James Cross Giblin's The Truth about Unicorns (HarperCollins, 1991), but is for older readers.

Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day School Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Joe Nigg has produced a captivating combination of tales, lore, and history.”–Wisconsin Bookwatch

“A worthy, well-produced anthology of folklore but also a very useful reference book.”–Australian Library Review

“Students who are working on reports or dedicated fantasy readers will find a wealth of hard-to-find information.”–School Library Journal

“Introduce kids to history, geography, and social studies with this multicultural folklore collection and sourcebook.”–Storytelling

“Wonder Beasts will be useful to students who are researching myth and folklore, and to librarians and scholars who are looking for a comprehensive source list on the topic. The book is beautifully laid out...It is obviously a labor of love.”–Voya

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited (June 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156308242X
• ISBN-13: 978-1563082429
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #882,038 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Reference Book, July 8, 2000

By A Customer

This book provides accurate, concise information about the legends associated with several mythical beasts. It's both a great quick reference for writers and an enjoyable read for fantasy fans who want to know more about the origins of their favorite creatures.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun!, June 12, 2003

By	Angel Horvath "Angel's Treehouse" (Castle Rock, CO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This little book packs a powerful punch. It's got everything, and it's presented concicely. Definitely a "buy" recommendation!