School Library Journal
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Gr 5–8—Seven beasts are profiled in each volume of this illuminating series that covers creatures from different cultures and legendary traditions. Some of the creatures included in the four-page accounts might be unknown to students. Exposing them to beasts they haven't heard of or read about before helps them understand the global universality and importance of myths through the ages. The series explains a lot: the beasts' origins, backgrounds, homes, cultural histories, how long they've been around, ancestors, myths and/or stories they appear in, what they're known for, their characters, talents, and skills, and more. Each book compares and contrasts beasts from different cultures and explains what people in other centuries believed about them. References to creatures in media—e.g., movies, books, video games—are also made, where applicable. Profiles are brief, fast-paced, well written, and full of information; their conversational, at times tongue-in-cheek tone is clearly focused on enhancing reading enjoyment. There's no indication which words are included in the glossary, but some are defined in context. It would have helped if more were defined and if pronunciation guidance were given for unfamiliar creature and place names. Students will appreciate the dramatic covers and excellent color photos and illustrations that include ancient artworks—e.g., details from pottery, statues, and historical paintings—and art representative of some beasts' cultures. Striking colors appear in page headings, "Did You Know?" sidebars, and supplemental fact boxes. Each profile includes a "Known Facts" chart that summarizes the beast's most salient "biographical" data: name, family status, career (i.e., what it's known for), personality, appearance, and symbols; a trivia tidbit concludes each chart. The back matter also includes "For More Information" (a limited bibliography) and an index. VERDICT Recommended for school and public collections.