SLJ Review of Mythical Creatures

Each slim, attractive volume in this well-written series describes a different mythical creature. Large print makes for easy reading; both beginner and striving readers will feel welcomed. New vocabulary is bolded in the text and defined in the glossary, but no pronunciation guide is provided. Each title explains the creature’s historical origins/backgrounds and describes and defines related words and concepts, posing questions along the way that encourage critical thinking.

Through simple, factual explanations and colorful images, the titles compare mythical creatures’ attributes/abilities to those of actual animals they resemble, and each volume includes a labeled diagram of the creature, highlighting unique features. One particularly well-done feature compares similar mythical creatures that appear in different cultures/traditions. Back matter includes a glossary and index. ­

VERDICT: These fun, engaging titles will be big hits in school and public collections.