Monsters: 100 Weird Creatures from Around the World by Sarah Banville Illustrated by Quinton Winter Wren and Rook ISBN 9781526363497 £20
An engaging introduction to monsters around the world. Each creature is given a page of text and an illustration. The writing is atmospheric and brings the creature to life. There is often factual text that describes the history, geography and folklore associated with the monster. In her introduction Banville explains, “These beautiful, imaginative beasts rose from storytelling, which people created to try to understand mysteries. They teach us about lost lands and people. They are made from misunderstandings and superstitions, monstrously filling in the gaps in our knowledge before scientific discoveries stepped in.” The illustrations are dramatic, often dark, and full of character. Some of the creatures are well-known such as the Loch Ness Monster, Baba Yaga, the Minotaur and Bigfoot, but there are plenty I did not know such as Yara Ma Yha Who from Australi; Batibat from The Philippines; Herensuge from Spain; Ninki-Nanka from The Gambia; Fenghuang from China; Aqrabuamelu from Iran, Iraq and Syria and Nkala from Zambia.
A fascinating and inspirational book that can be dipped into again and again by anyone of 9+ who is happy to be scared.
Brenda Marshall
