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Mythical Creatures

Anya and the Dragon

January 20, 2020 by Jill Hutchison Leave a Comment

Cover of the book "Anya and the Dragon"Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Publication Date: September, 2019

Format: Book

Who it’s for: Kids

Set in a fantasy world based on 10th-century Russia, this is the story of Anya, the only Jewish girl in a small village. Things are already hard for her family- other villagers discriminate against them for their faith, and her father was drafted into the Tsar’s army. Now the family is about to be evicted from their home if they can’t pay the tax, and they don’t have the money. But the Tsar is offering a reward for anyone who can find a dangerous river dragon that’s said to live nearby, and Anya is determined to do whatever it takes to get the prize and save her family. She teams up with a boy named Ivan (who has seven older brothers also named Ivan), and they set out to hunt for the monster. There are others on the same quest, including a cold-hearted Viking named Sigurd who wants to kill the dragon before it can be captured. Anya and Ivan discover that the lands around their village are full of hidden magical creatures, and that nothing is what it seems- not even the dragon. They’ll have to make choices about right and wrong, duty and loyalty, and fight to save what they hold dear.

Find this book in the catalog.

 

Filed Under: New for Kids, Recommended for Kids Tagged With: Book, Dragons, Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Mythical Creatures

Shazam!

August 19, 2019 by Kimberle's Korner Leave a Comment

Watch the Movie, Read the Book!
Movie: Shazam!  Starring: Zachary Levi
Book: Shazam! (New 52) by Geoff Johns

The movie was marketed as “Big meets superheroes.”  I think that is a perfect summary of the movie.

“The movie follows Billy Batson, a troubled 14-year-old boy living in foster homes in Philadelphia. After running away for the 23rd time, Billy moves into a foster home with the Vazquez family and their 5 foster kids. One day Billy Batson gets on a subway car and he finds himself transported to a different realm. An ancient wizard gives him the power to turn into an adult superhero by uttering the word Shazam! Billy and his new foster brother, Freddy Freeman, have lots of fun learning how to use his superhero powers.” – New Line Cinema

“Shazam has been in publication at DC Comics 40+ years. The movie is based very heavily upon the 2012 New 52 era reboot of Shazam! Writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank reimagined the character’s entire world. There are also some big differences between the movie and the book. Much of the harder edge in The New 52 story is gone and instead the zany ridiculousness of the character’s Golden Age is present.” – ScreenRant.com

I decided to watch the movie because of the trailers, Zachary Levi, and good reviews from friends who had seen it. I was not disappointed. I really, really, hope they make a sequel. Shazam! was as advertised – a fun superhero movie that the whole family can enjoy. As in any superhero origin movie there was a lot of explaining, things happening in the past, characters introduced with no real depth (saving it for the sequel!), and a training montage. I LOVE montages. The one for Shazam explored his powers as a superhero and what a teenage boy would do if he could turn into an adult at will. Almost the whole family can enjoy this light fare. Although the villain is not that scary, he does kill people. In addition, the 7 deadly sins are represented in the flesh as demons. They are vicious and scary looking. Depending on the child, I would recommend this for ages 10+.

As with every superhero of DC comics, there are many Shazam books – from the old comics to present day, the children’s Billy Batson and the magic of Shazam! series, and kid’s early reader books. I only read the graphic novel the movie is based on (via hoopla because the book was checked out!) . (I prefer to read non-superhero graphic novels but really enjoy movies based off of superhero comics.)

The graphic novel was a quick read.  As stated before, there are major difference in the comic and the movie but also a lot of the same story. Differences like there are two villains in the comics but only one in the movie and the 7 deadly sins are imprisoned in people not statues. The comic cleared up some questions that movie reviewers pointed out. For example – why Billy Batson is chosen and why the villain needed Shazam’s power. Depending on the child, I would recommend the comic to ages 7+. I think the killing and 7 deadly sins are less scary visually than in the movie.

The experience on my iPad in the hoopla app was different but nice.  Last time I read a comic as an eBook it was on my 1rst generation Kindle Fire (which I miss greatly.). The viewing experience on hoopla is similar. It shows you one panel at a time or zooms into different parts of a larger panel/page of the comic like my Fire did. Although it does not show you the full page first and then the separate panel like my Fire. The hoopla app may have that capability but I did not search for it. The best parts about reading a comic as eBook is you always read the panels in the correct order, the words are bigger, and you can zoom. I am still requesting the graphic novel in hardback so I can peruse the pics in the regular way.

I hope you enjoy Shazam! in all its formats. Click to see all the Shazam!’s the library offers.

 

Filed Under: Recommended for Adults, Recommended for Kids, Recommended for Teens Tagged With: Action, Adult, Adventure, Adventure Fiction, Based on book, Being Different, Best Friends, Book, Book to Movie, Brothers, Bullying, Comic Book, DC Comics, eBook, Family, Fiction, Funny, Graphic Novel, Heart Warmer, Hoopla, Humour, Mythical Creatures, Superhero, Young Adult

The Sleeper and the Spindle

August 9, 2019 by Kati Leave a Comment

The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by Chris Riddell
Format: Book
Who its for: Teens

A thrillingly reimagined fairy tale from the truly magical combination of author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell – weaving together a sort-of Snow White and an almost Sleeping Beauty with a thread of dark magic, which will hold readers spellbound from start to finish.

The Sleeper and the Spindle is a up-to-date outlook on female heroism smooshed into the plot of a classic princess double-feature, though you won’t find a white knight or Prince Charming in this fairy tale.  Gaiman tells the story of warrior queen who travels to a faraway land armed with a sword and three dwarfs, on a mission to rid the people of a curse and save the princess locked in a tower.   This retelling is just as dark, magical, and twisted as this reader wanted it to be.  Riddell’s stunning black, white, and gold illustrations alone are worth a gander.

My only complaint – it’s too short.  Find it in the catalog. 

 

Filed Under: Recommended for Teens Tagged With: Being Different, Fairy Tales, Magic, Mythical Creatures

Strange the Dreamer

October 19, 2018 by Naomi Leave a Comment

In this beautifully written book, Laini Taylor introduces us to Lazlo Strange, a war orphan with an enormous imagination. Cared for as a child by abbots, Lazlo has become captivated by the stories of the Lost city of Weep. His love of reading only grows as he does and he becomes a junior librarian but he fears his dreams of discovering the Lost City will never come true.

When an unexpected opportunity presents itself, Lazlo surprises everyone and even himself by seizing the chance to follow his dream. Along his journey, he makes friends and enemies both as he unravels the mysteries of Weep and even encounters a blue skinned goddess.

There are stories within stories, brimming with lore and myth that make the world of Lazlo Strange full, rich and one you’ll want to stay in after you’ve finished reading the book.

Find it on the catalog

Filed Under: Recommended for Teens Tagged With: Adventure, Fantasy, Mythical Creatures

Anna and the Tooth Fairy

February 22, 2018 by Sara Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Andrea!

Anna and the Tooth Fairy by Maureen Wright. Losing a tooth is very exciting business, but something is not quite right about Anna’s Tooth Fairy… she believes it is her baby sister! Her baby sister’s rattle looks just like a magic wand, she is always sleeping during the day and up at night, and she is even learning to fly! Anna takes this very special opportunity to ensure her baby sister becomes the best Tooth Fairy ever. Join Anna and her family in this Tooth-rrific adventure. This is a great read aloud for the whole family to enjoy. See this book listed in our catalog

Filed Under: Recommended for Kids Tagged With: Family, Humour, Mythical Creatures, New Baby, Picture Book

Not Quite Narwhal

March 22, 2017 by Sara Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Carol!

Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima is about a creature named Kelp. Kelp was born in the ocean. He lives there with his friends, the narwhals. He really thinks he is a narwhal. He just thinks he is a little different. His tusk isn’t as long, he doesn’t like the same food that they do, and he is not a very good swimmer, but his friends don’t seem to mind. One day he gets swept away in a current. He sees land, and a creature that looks very much like him. As he goes exploring he finds these creatures and soon discovers he is not a narwhal after all. He is a unicorn. His new unicorn friends teach him all about being a unicorn. He was having lots of fun but he began to miss his old friends so he returns to the ocean. He begins to wonder what he should do. Should he stay with his old friends or return to his new friends? Then he realizes maybe he doesn’t have to choose after all… See this book listed in our catalog

Filed Under: Recommended for Kids Tagged With: Emotions, Mythical Creatures, Picture Book, Under the Sea

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