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laurelthebooks's review
3.0
The illustrations are beautiful and really make the pages come alive.
This is a fun read-aloud story for kids and contains images for each beast mentioned. The little historical blurb may not be a fun read for the age range targeted by this book, but it is interesting and could be read aloud while showing some of the pictures in the book.
I read an ARC provided by NetGalley for my review.
This is a fun read-aloud story for kids and contains images for each beast mentioned. The little historical blurb may not be a fun read for the age range targeted by this book, but it is interesting and could be read aloud while showing some of the pictures in the book.
I read an ARC provided by NetGalley for my review.
fixatedonfiction's review
5.0
What a cute little book! I really enjoyed it, and it is something that I look forward to buying for my children. The illustrations are gorgeous! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this awesome little story about beasts.
habitualrereader's review
5.0
I'm a sucker for magical creatures of any kind, but even if I weren't I think I'd love this story. The illustrations are intricate and beautiful, and Godfrey (with his tendency to get distracted from his chores) was very relatable. I also loved that the book included discussion questions, and a bestiary at the end! The story is short enough to hold the attention of preschoolers, but beautiful and interesting enough that older children (and adults) can enjoy it as well.
thebookworm_queen's review
3.0
Don't Let the Beasties Escape This Book!, by Julie Berry tells the story of a young farmer boy with a list of chores to take care of. Before he gets to work he comes across a beastiary: a book that defines magical creatures and contains them until their name is spoken, then *pop* out the come!
Berry includes great background for the setting of the book. This creates a a solid foundation for young readers who are new to the time period! The story is told in an interesting style as it is divided up into sections that begin with: " In which... " . In this style a new creature pops up and Godfrey tries to get work done but the story appears disconnected. The style makes the story read like a list: first this happens, then this happened and now this.
Ultimately I found that illustrations were the highlight of the book along with the educational factor at the beginning. Really would have appreciated if the character was shown actively trying to fix the situation but instead creatures just keep popping out! I rate this book a 3 on the princess scale.
Thank you to Net Galley and Gerry Publications for the opportunity to read this book. I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is based my opinion.
Berry includes great background for the setting of the book. This creates a a solid foundation for young readers who are new to the time period! The story is told in an interesting style as it is divided up into sections that begin with: " In which... " . In this style a new creature pops up and Godfrey tries to get work done but the story appears disconnected. The style makes the story read like a list: first this happens, then this happened and now this.
Ultimately I found that illustrations were the highlight of the book along with the educational factor at the beginning. Really would have appreciated if the character was shown actively trying to fix the situation but instead creatures just keep popping out! I rate this book a 3 on the princess scale.
Thank you to Net Galley and Gerry Publications for the opportunity to read this book. I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review is based my opinion.
storytellersbymarlou's review
3.0
This book was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was browsing the 'read now' catagory on Netgalley and I found this lovely magical children's book. Ever since I started working at the library I've been surprised at how well written children's book can be. And the art in some children's books are just WOW *insert heart eyes* And this cover immediately made me want to pick this up because DRAGONNNN
Drawing style: The era in which this story is set is medieval like and the drawing style looks like it's older and a little faded which is such a lovely detail that makes this book a whole.
Writing style: The writing in the book is a little more complicated than I would expect in a children's book but if an adult is reading it to their child then I'm sure they will help their child understand everything. The style does make everything sound fun and magical.
The bestiary at the end of the book was a nice touch and really makes sure that the child who reads this book knows what kind of mythical creatures are in this book.
I was browsing the 'read now' catagory on Netgalley and I found this lovely magical children's book. Ever since I started working at the library I've been surprised at how well written children's book can be. And the art in some children's books are just WOW *insert heart eyes* And this cover immediately made me want to pick this up because DRAGONNNN
Drawing style: The era in which this story is set is medieval like and the drawing style looks like it's older and a little faded which is such a lovely detail that makes this book a whole.
Writing style: The writing in the book is a little more complicated than I would expect in a children's book but if an adult is reading it to their child then I'm sure they will help their child understand everything. The style does make everything sound fun and magical.
The bestiary at the end of the book was a nice touch and really makes sure that the child who reads this book knows what kind of mythical creatures are in this book.
skeleton_richard's review
5.0
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
This is a delightful book for anyone who likes manuscripts, beasts both real and fantastic, and stories about kids with overactive imaginations. Godfrey (or, as he sees himself, SIR Godfrey) is a medieval boy who would rather look at the bestiary in production for the lady of the castle than do his chores, and much like the Sorcerer's Apprentice, he imagines the creatures described in the bestiary helping him.
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, in part based on manuscripts in an exhibit at the Getty, and somehow April Lee manages to draw in a modern style that feels medieval. The one drawback of having to read this on my computer is that it's meant to be read as a physical book, with illustrations often spanning a two-page spread, which is frustrating when you have to zoom in to read the text. This is no fault of the book or its creators, just a comment that you should get a physical copy (I have no idea if it will be released digitally) because that's the best way to read something like this. Like the bestiaries they replicate, the pictures are colorful and lively, with something fun happening even in the smallest details.
The book ends with a historical note that puts bestiaries, and what medieval people got from them, into context-- most people had no real way of knowing what was out in the world far away, and many of the creatures were actually believable-- compared to a rhino, a unicorn doesn't sound all that strange. I really like this. There's a major misconception in our popular culture that people in the Middle Ages were stupid and believed ridiculous things like unicorns, dog-headed people, that the Earth is flat (which they didn't, by the way). The truth is they weren't stupid, they just didn't have the cumulative knowledge we have today, and many things medieval people believed, or at least what they presented as some level of factual, aren't really that strange considering the information they had. Bestiaries are a good example of this, and this book portrays that well. It also includes a section of descriptions and images of creatures from actual bestiaries, which is another good historical note.
This is definitely a book I hope to someday have a physical copy of to read to my young cousins in the hopes that they'll become medievalists. Or at least in the hopes they'll like it.
This is a delightful book for anyone who likes manuscripts, beasts both real and fantastic, and stories about kids with overactive imaginations. Godfrey (or, as he sees himself, SIR Godfrey) is a medieval boy who would rather look at the bestiary in production for the lady of the castle than do his chores, and much like the Sorcerer's Apprentice, he imagines the creatures described in the bestiary helping him.
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, in part based on manuscripts in an exhibit at the Getty, and somehow April Lee manages to draw in a modern style that feels medieval. The one drawback of having to read this on my computer is that it's meant to be read as a physical book, with illustrations often spanning a two-page spread, which is frustrating when you have to zoom in to read the text. This is no fault of the book or its creators, just a comment that you should get a physical copy (I have no idea if it will be released digitally) because that's the best way to read something like this. Like the bestiaries they replicate, the pictures are colorful and lively, with something fun happening even in the smallest details.
The book ends with a historical note that puts bestiaries, and what medieval people got from them, into context-- most people had no real way of knowing what was out in the world far away, and many of the creatures were actually believable-- compared to a rhino, a unicorn doesn't sound all that strange. I really like this. There's a major misconception in our popular culture that people in the Middle Ages were stupid and believed ridiculous things like unicorns, dog-headed people, that the Earth is flat (which they didn't, by the way). The truth is they weren't stupid, they just didn't have the cumulative knowledge we have today, and many things medieval people believed, or at least what they presented as some level of factual, aren't really that strange considering the information they had. Bestiaries are a good example of this, and this book portrays that well. It also includes a section of descriptions and images of creatures from actual bestiaries, which is another good historical note.
This is definitely a book I hope to someday have a physical copy of to read to my young cousins in the hopes that they'll become medievalists. Or at least in the hopes they'll like it.
sevenacrebooks's review
4.0
A beautiful and imaginative picture book with captivating illustrations. Wonderful storytelling and meticulously detailed illustrations combine to create an immersive reading experience.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.
etienne02's review
2.0
Could be a introduction to some beast from the fantasy world for kids, but this book isn’t very good. The story is use to present those mythical creatures, but it became more or less an enumeration of them, with some story around it. The story in itself isn’t strong enough to support the book. The illustrations are alright, not necessarily my taste, but they are good enough. I was expecting something cooler then that!
mclent's review against another edition
4.0
From Getty Publications, these whimsical, wonderful Medieval inspired illustrations are worth the price of admission alone.
The episodic stories are meant to be jump-off points for the reader's own flights of fancy, fun and mischief. There is a simple setup of a boy who neglects his choirs while day dreaming of ancient world fantastical beasts such as a bonnacon (a bull with horns curved inward and a horse's mane). What happens next is up to you. Stay and participate or move on to the next episode. Some readers may find this role playing construct jarring.
Note that reading this book in digital format via the good folks at NetGalley is less than ideal and doesn't do justice to the amazing artwork. Would love to get my hands on a print copy.
The episodic stories are meant to be jump-off points for the reader's own flights of fancy, fun and mischief. There is a simple setup of a boy who neglects his choirs while day dreaming of ancient world fantastical beasts such as a bonnacon (a bull with horns curved inward and a horse's mane). What happens next is up to you. Stay and participate or move on to the next episode. Some readers may find this role playing construct jarring.
Note that reading this book in digital format via the good folks at NetGalley is less than ideal and doesn't do justice to the amazing artwork. Would love to get my hands on a print copy.
snooty1's review against another edition
3.0
An adorable book with phenomenal illustrations that comically introduces the reader to the “beasts” of medieval times.
I mostly appreciated the end where it explained the beasts in more detail, but children will likely enjoy Sir Godfrey’s tale of magic beasts that he conquers while doing his chores.
I mostly appreciated the end where it explained the beasts in more detail, but children will likely enjoy Sir Godfrey’s tale of magic beasts that he conquers while doing his chores.