Fantasy Encyclopedia - Hardcover

Allen, Judy; Hook, Richard; Stroud, Jonathon; Howe, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0753458470 ISBN 13: 9780753458471

Publisher: Kingfisher, 2005

Synopsis

With a foreword by the award-winning fantasy author Jonathan Stroud, and illustration by some of the world's best illustrators including John Howe, the Fantasy Encyclopedia is a spectacular one-stop guide to the creatures and people of folklore and fantasy. From goblins and fairies to dragons and Dracula, this encyclopedia covers them all with sparkling, readable text and stunning illustrations. Discover how the magic of stories throughout the centuries has kept these creatures alive in traditions and cultures around the world. Using a highly visual approach, featuring more than 400 photographs and illustrations, this book will introduce readers to each fantasy character within its habitat and genre. Cross-reference boxes direct readers to popular books and movies starring these fantastical creatures. This is a must-have for any fantasy enthusiast!

About this title

About the Author

Jonathan Stroud is the award-winning fantasy author of The Bartimeus Trilogy, which has just been optioned for production into a major motion picture.

Judy Allen is an award-winning author whose novel Awaiting Developments was short-listed for the Whitbread Children's Novel Award.

Judy Allen and illustrator Tudor Humphries created Kingfisher's award-winning Backyard Books series and many other successful books, including the Reading Rainbow selections Tiger and Seal.

John Howe is a world-renowned fantasy illustrator who is best known for his visualization of the world of J.R.R. Tolkien. His work became one of the foundations for the design of the Peter Jackson movie adaptation of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Patricia Ludlow has illustrated many children's books, including several on fairies and dragons, as well as the Fantasy Encyclopedia.

Nicki Palin is an accomplished illustrator whose work has been short-listed for the Mother Goose Award and the Kate Greenway Medal.

Richard Hook is an internationally acclaimed artist, renowned for his paintings of Native American culture.

From Booklist

This highly visual presentation introduces readers to fantasy characters within their habitats and genres. Students in fourth through eighth grades will enjoy browsing this one-stop guide to the creatures and people of folklore and fantasy. More than 50 types of characters are arranged in nine chapters covering topics such as "The Little People," "Mysterious Animals," and "Ghosts and Spirits." "The Little People," to take one example, includes sections on "Elves and Fairies," "Traps and Tricks," "Celebrated Fairies," "Household Helpers," "Harmful Little People," "Underground" folk, and "Gremlins." Each section consists of an introductory paragraph in larger, italicized font and several additional paragraphs adding specific details or information. Well-captioned illustrative materials as well as text boxes directing readers to popular books and movies starring the specific fantastical creature complete each two-page spread. More than 400 color photographs and illustrations significantly enhance the layout and presentation.

A useful list of creatures by area of the world, a glossary, and an index conclude the work. Fantasy writer Jonathan Stroud provides an entertaining foreword, and the encyclopedia's author discusses the trickiness in definingfantasy in her introduction.

Student fans of the fantasy genre will find this tool exceedingly browsable, and school and public libraries will want to purchase reference and circulating copies. Shauna Yusko
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Kingfisher
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0753458470
• ISBN 13: 9780753458471
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144