The playful and imaginative Fabulous Creatures by renowned children's author Cornelia Funke (Inkheart series), illustrated by newcomer Ruby Warnecke and translated from the German by Funke's daughter, Anna Schmitt Funke, takes a global approach as it introduces young readers to 19 legendary beings.
Each fabulous creature--such as the Shangyang (large, one-legged waterbird from China), the Hippocamp (Greek half-fish, half-horse), and the Crodh Sith (aquatic cow from Western Europe)--receives an illustrated double-page spread and a narrative description in a friendly, meditative, first-person voice. For instance, the Tumu-Rai'i Fenua (from Aotearoa) is depicted as a giant red octopus straddling the globe. Because this enormous kraken is "said to have held the entire world and the sky in his arms," the universe surrounding Earth and Tumu-Rai'i Fenua is filled with stamp-like illustrations of red, gray, blue, and green planets, fish, and jellyfish. "Tuma Rai'i Fuena is said to have once had the task of teaching us humans how to live in peace and harmony.... I hope Tumu-Rai'i Fenua keeps on trying."
Warnecke repeats the format of every double-page spread, centering the creature in their habitat and leaving plenty of room for a child reader to think about how these beings might move and what they might do. Illustrations matched with text--like "There are so many legends about [the Thunderbird], that you may have to find out the truth yourself"--promote imaginative play, and Funke's age-appropriate facts allow for the fearsome to be rendered fascinating. Fabulous Creatures is a well-balanced and creative introduction to mythic and legendary creatures. --Michelle Anya Anjirbag, freelance reviewer