Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

These accessible but uneven texts give overviews of how elements of fantasy developed while discussing their roles in history and the modern world. Though perhaps too focused on the West, the books do include some creatures and conjurers from around the globe. Illustration reproductions include early representations of magical creatures and contemporary cartoonish ones. Reading list. Bib., ind.

ALA Booklist (Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

It's kind of a tough trick to juggle the intertwined concepts of magic-users in both history and lore, but Kerns does an admirable, if uneven, job of it in this entry in the Fantasy Chronicles. After a brief investigation of where the notion of magic could have come from (essentially, wishing for something to happen, seeing it randomly happen, then trying to make it happen), and a quick tour around the world, she focuses primarily on the cauldron-stirrers and spell-casters of Europe and the Americas, from Greek mythology to Harry Potter, with stops along the way at all the familiar spots (King Arthur's court, Salem, the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales, Middle-earth, Oz). She nicely delineates the difference between witches and wizards, getting at why witches got the warts and flames, while wizards got the reverence (sadly, it's a gender thing). With an atmospherically dark layout and well-chosen imagery, this book is a nice option to get kids thinking about the fantasies they so effortlessly gobble up.

School Library Journal (Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2010)

KNUDSEN, Shannon . Fairies and Elves . Web sites. ISBN 978-0-8225-9979-1 . LC 2008050207. KNUDSEN, Shannon . Fantastical Creatures and Magical Beasts . Web sites. ISBN 978-0-8225-9987-6 . LC 2009004794. ea vol: 48p. (Fantasy Chronicles Series). illus. photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. index. CIP. Lerner . 2009. PLB $27.93. Gr 5-8 These books give inquisitive readers facts about different elements of fantasy traditions throughout the world. Accompanied by a few pictures, but mostly focused on text, the explanations and history behind well-known fantastical creatures such as witches, fairies, and monsters will provide satisfaction for readers who want to know more about these familiar characters from myth, fantasy, and folk and fairy tales. Brief and concise, the information only skims the surface of what's been written about these creatures, but extensive bibliographies and further reading provide curious readers with directions for where to go for more. Sarah O'Holla, Village Community School, New York City