The Book of Beasts - Hardcover

Nesbit, E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 076361579X ISBN 13: 9780763615796

Publisher: Candlewick, 2001

Synopsis

An enduring story of the magic to be found in books.

Young Lionel is very surprised to be made King, but he’s delighted to discover the world full of books in the Palace library. When Lionel opens one called THE BOOK OF BEASTS, he’s in for an even greater surprise—out of the pages fly a butterfly and a blue Bird of Paradise! But when he opens the book again and releases a terrible Red Dragon, the trouble really begins. Can Lionel find another beast in this magical book to help him save his people? First published in 1900, this classic story by E. Nesbit, known throughout the world for her tales of fantasy and adventure, has been carefully abridged and beautifully illustrated by Inga Moore. Now published for the first time as a stand-alone picture book, The Book of Beasts is sure to delight a new generation of children.

About this title

About the Author:

Inga Moore has illustrated numerous children’s books, including THE RIVER BANK: AND OTHER STORIES FROM THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, and THE AVENTURES OF MR. TOAD, whose
illustrations Publishers Weekly called "exquisite."

From School Library Journal:

K-Gr 3-Originally published as part of Nesbit's A Book of Dragons in 1900, this carefully abridged version of the story retains the cadence and flavor of the original while omitting much of the extraneous detail (including mention of the boy's punishments for misbehavior). In this quaint tale, young Lionel suddenly learns that he is King, and in touring his Palace, he comes across The Book of Beasts in the library, magically releasing the realistic and fantastic creatures in the illustrations as he turns the pages. When he allows a large Red Dragon to escape and it begins to eat groups of people (and all the pussycats in the town), the boy King must find a creature that can help him to force it back into the book. Moore has created large full- and double-page illustrations for most of the story, along with a few vignettes-all of them showing caricature-style courtiers and animals rendered in ink, oil pastel, and oil paints. The wonderful Red Dragon and the Hippogriff-a lovely winged white horse-are especially charming. Some illustrations include conversation balloons. In comparison with Nesbit's own full text illustrated by Annabel Spenceley (Dial, 1988; o.p.), Moore's simplified edition is more easily read aloud, and her large, colorful illustrations hold more child appeal.

Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 076361579X
• ISBN 13: 9780763615796
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 64
• Illustrator: Moore Inga