This series provides brief field guidelike introductions to creatures from myth and folklore. Each creature gets a basic stats box along with descriptions of appearance and behaviors. The selections draw heavily from Western lore, but the volumes lack such contextual details. Though the style and media of the illustrations vary greatly, the pictures are serviceable. A creature quiz is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Sautter, A.J. . Discover Gnomes, Halflings, and Other Wondrous Fantasy Beings . ISBN 9781515768388 ; ISBN 9781515768425 . Sautter, A.J. . Discover Harpies, Minotaurs, and Other Mythical Fantasy Beasts . ISBN 9781515768364 ; ISBN 9781515768401 . Sautter, A.J. . Discover Orcs, Boggarts, and Other Nasty Fantasy Creatures . ISBN 9781515768371 ; ISBN 9781515768418 . ea vol: 32p. (All About Fantasy Creatures). glossary. illus. index. photos. websites. Capstone. Aug. 2017. lib. ed. $26.65. pap. $7.95. Gr 13This set covers myriad fantasy creatures, providing dimensions, facts, and artist renderings. In each book, subjects are grouped into thematic sections ("Deadly," "Wondrous," "Mythical," and "Nasty"), with each receiving a fact box that outlines the creature's size, home, diet, and life span followed by a description of its appearance and behavior, a color illustration, and vocabulary definitions. Some of the beings may be unfamiliar (e.g., the two-headed ettins, which never bathe and stink of sweat and rotting foodand you thought ogres were disgusting?). Design elements and the simplicity of the texts provide early readers with an introduction to the foes they may discover later in series like "Harry Potter" and Rick Riordan's selections. Readers will appreciate the detailed artwork where weaponry is given added attention. A quiz with basic questions is included to test knowledge after reading. VERDICT A fine purchase where younger kids are clamoring for more fantasy options.