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Fantasy Book Reviews

Picture Books

1) Where The Wild Things Are -This picture book by Maurice Sendak and  a very popular book. I highly recommend it if you did not read it yet. The book is a classic and has been for years.  It was published originally in 1963 and won the 1964 Caldecott Medal for most distinguished picture book of the year. When a boy named Max misbehaves his mother sends him to his room where his fantastic journey begins. After his journey he comes home to discover that barely any time had passed even though his trip seemed to take place a very long time. This book is a wonderful read not only for children but adults as well. It explores the possibilities of other worlds and so much more.

2) The Egg- This picture book by M.P Robertson is less known, but also a great read. It was published in 2001 by Dial books. It is about a boy named George, who one day discovers a huge egg under one of his barn chickens. When the egg is warmed and hatches a dragon is born. It is then when George's adventure begins. His adventure takes him for a special training and eventually to another world where dragons live. The book has amazing illustrations and a great fantasy story line that any child or adult will enjoy. It is a great read for everyone. Make sure to look for this book and to share it with your children in the classroom or by a sizzling fire.

3) Sweep Dreams- This picture book came out in 2005. It is by Nancy Willard and Illustrated by Mary Grandpre.  It was published by Little Brown and company. It is about a man who fell in love with a magical broom. The mystery started when the lady at the register had no idea where this broom was from. Since it had no cost on it she gave it to the man as a gift. The man never used the broom to sweep and this made her sick. As soon as started using her to sweep the floors and etc.. the broom became very happy and danced outside in the street.  A bad man saw it and kidnapped her. As the book goes on many magical adventures take place. I believe children will get right into the story. The book has all kinds of wonderful pictures that almost everyone will enjoy. Please pick up a copy.

Middle Readers

1) The Phantom Tollbooth- I read this wonderful book back in elementary school. It was written Norton Juster and illustrated by Jules Feiffer who I had the pleasure to meet and talk to a few months ago. It came out from Random House in 1961. I love this classical book that teaches many things to children. It is about a boy named Milo who is bored of everything in his life. One day a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room. Milo drives through it in his toy car because he has nothing better to do. This leads him to a different world. It is here that Milo's whole view of life changes. he takes on several amazing quests and meets fantastic creatures including a ticking watch dog named Tock.  I loved this classic fantasy book as a young lad and I truly believe your son or daughter will as well.

2) The Book of Time Trilogy- I got a chance to read this Trilogy on my trip to FL. You can look back at my older posts to read more about it. It includes three books: The Book of Time, The Gate of Days and The Circle of Gold. They are by Gullaume Prevost and were translated by William Rodarm. The books  originally published by Gallimard Jeunnesse in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The English- language translations were published by Arthur A. Levine books in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Cheryl Klein was the wonderful editor who worked on this wonderful Fantasy Trilogy.  The books are about Faulkner family. They could be any ordinary family on the outside, but they have many secrets. Sam Faulkner a 13 year old boy discovers a sec

We haven’t been covering the Hobbit movie drama because it was just too….dramatic. Despite everyone being a total wanker and trying to prevent a Hobbit movie from actually being made, it seems that Peter Jackson & Co. are set to start filming two films back to back in February… Somewhere. A dispute involving the New Zealand acting union was quickly resolved when Jackson threatened to move the production — however, the studio was so pissed off that they might still move the two Hobbit films to a more hospitable location. Common sense would say “You’ve already GOT Hobbiton and Rivendell in New Zealand” but…we shall see.

Meanwhile, casting is moving right along! Let’s see who we have here.

As long foretold Martin Freeman, that guy from the UK Office. is a lock for Bilbo. Hard to see a flaw with that. And here’s some more casting:

Thorin Oakenshield: Richard Armitage (MI-5 and Captain America: The First Avenger, Guy of Gisborne)

Kili: Aidan Turner (Being Human)

…wow these Dwarves are smokin’ hot…

Fili: Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders)

…Wait a minute now. Arda to Peter Jackson! These are DWARVES we’re talking about, Khazâd…not dewy-eyed ELVES, tall and fair. Did you READ the Hobbit? Casting all these dreamy British vampires is definitely going against type. Also, not to be too spoilerish but…wow, this is going to be one sad ending!

Dwalin: Graham McTavish (Secretariat)

…Okay these are the older dwarves.

Oín: John Callen (Power Rangers Jungle Fury)

…Perhaps this qualifies as a career break for Mr. Callen.

Gloín: Peter Hambleton (The Strip)

Now it’s LABOR problems. Alas, my Beorn!

We all know writers have a love of words, but did you know Sarah Prineas also has a love for maps?

An interesting thing about hobbits is they don't like to travel, but Bilbo always loved maps. Especially Thror's map.

I love maps, too, with a deep and geeky love for things like magical runes and "here there be dragons" and the compass rose and place names like "the Withered Heath" and "Mirkwood the Great".

For fantasy writers, maps are really important because we often create what Tolkien called a "secondary world" that is, a world completely removed from the "real" world, with its own geography and history. Maps make real the places of the imagination. That's why you'll see maps in the first couple of pages of many fantasy novels, including THE MAGIC THIEF.
When the book was being designed, my editor asked me for a map sketch to give the artist. I started out by consulting a really excellent map of 18th century London because Wellmet, the city in my book, is very loosely based on it, especially Southwark which was, back then, the seedy side of the Thames. I was inspired by the twisty streets with the funny names:

London map

book map

is up for your reading pleasure. This list will be published in the January/February issue of the Horn Book Magazine.