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Magnificent Magical Beasts: Inside Their Secret World
With legendary magical beasts making the leap from page to the silver screen, this beautifully illustrated guide to fantastical creatures is the perfect gateway into their mysterious world . . . Step into the enchanted, cinematic world of dragons, werewolves, mermaids, and dozens of other creatures in this spellbinding, fully illustrated guide to magical beasts. And prepare to see magical beasts from around the world in a brand new way! Discover why the phoenix sings an enchanting song, how to tame a unicorn, the best way to defeat a basilisk, and much more, in full color illustrations so vivid that each creature seems as though it's leaping off of a movie screen. This book is a must-have on every aspiring magical beast expert's journey to immersing themselves in this thrilling new world.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2016
3 people are currently reading
636 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 20, 2019
5 Stars!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A beautiful illustrated book about mystical creatures.. yes please sign me up. This was such a neat little book full of Magical Beasts and their origins. Written for children, it catches your attention and eye.
This would be a great book for kids who are into RPG games or have a love for all things fantasy. My boys loved it!!! Totally Recommend for those looking for a simple guide to learn more about Magical creatures or to be used as a starter guide for research.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A beautiful illustrated book about mystical creatures.. yes please sign me up. This was such a neat little book full of Magical Beasts and their origins. Written for children, it catches your attention and eye.
This would be a great book for kids who are into RPG games or have a love for all things fantasy. My boys loved it!!! Totally Recommend for those looking for a simple guide to learn more about Magical creatures or to be used as a starter guide for research.
July 2, 2022
I’m not sure who enjoyed this dragnificent book about dragons and other fabulously evil creatures more, me or my 5 year old nephew?!? You might read it at least a hundred times. #guncle
May 7, 2020
This book brings all my favourite creatures alive... love it!
January 28, 2022
sooo beautiful and captivating. the stories are artful and the illustrations are gorgeous!
November 16, 2016
I received a copy of this title from Bloomsbury Australia for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
A beautifully illustrated information text featuring a wide range of mythical creatures.
This book is a feast for the eyes and a scratch for the fantastical beast itch. Apart from being nicely timed to coincide with the release of a certain movie about certain fantastic beasts and where to find the same, this is the kind of book that will spark the imagination of even the most literal and pragmatic of young readers. The cover image gives a good indication of the high quality of illustration throughout the book and each page is awash with colour and fine detail. The book has several illustrators contributing, so while all the illustrations are stunningly gorgeous, there is a bit of variety in style, which is an interesting touch. Tucked within the pages are a few fold-outs and cut-outs and because they are not included on every page, add a little extra to the reading experience for those who go the distance. A wide range of beasties are covered, from the unicorn to the chimera and from elves to werewolves, with each creature receiving at least a double-page spread of information in a blocks of text that don't overwhelm. Some of the creatures also get a little extra attention, with sections such as "How to Outwit a Werewolf" and a "Guide to Dragons" filling out some of the informational gaps and providing variety.
If you know a mini-fleshling with a vivid imagination, who is into fantasy fiction, or is simply ripe for pushing into tabletop fantasy RPG games, this book will certainly whet their appetite for the magical. It has a lovely large format that is perfect for enjoying with others and the illustrations really are something else. Once again, if you are, or know, a classroom teacher or children's librarian, this would make a brilliant and coveted addition to any school or classroom library.
Ten Second Synopsis:
A beautifully illustrated information text featuring a wide range of mythical creatures.
This book is a feast for the eyes and a scratch for the fantastical beast itch. Apart from being nicely timed to coincide with the release of a certain movie about certain fantastic beasts and where to find the same, this is the kind of book that will spark the imagination of even the most literal and pragmatic of young readers. The cover image gives a good indication of the high quality of illustration throughout the book and each page is awash with colour and fine detail. The book has several illustrators contributing, so while all the illustrations are stunningly gorgeous, there is a bit of variety in style, which is an interesting touch. Tucked within the pages are a few fold-outs and cut-outs and because they are not included on every page, add a little extra to the reading experience for those who go the distance. A wide range of beasties are covered, from the unicorn to the chimera and from elves to werewolves, with each creature receiving at least a double-page spread of information in a blocks of text that don't overwhelm. Some of the creatures also get a little extra attention, with sections such as "How to Outwit a Werewolf" and a "Guide to Dragons" filling out some of the informational gaps and providing variety.
If you know a mini-fleshling with a vivid imagination, who is into fantasy fiction, or is simply ripe for pushing into tabletop fantasy RPG games, this book will certainly whet their appetite for the magical. It has a lovely large format that is perfect for enjoying with others and the illustrations really are something else. Once again, if you are, or know, a classroom teacher or children's librarian, this would make a brilliant and coveted addition to any school or classroom library.
November 4, 2016
An incredible encyclopedia of mythical/magical beasts - such colourful illustrations - a visual feast!! The book also gives detailed descriptions of each beast that just makes you want to read about more!! Highly recommended to all who enjoy reading about myth and legend over the age of 8 years (some pictures may be frightening for young children) Many Thanks to Allen and Unwin Publishers for sending me an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review
December 31, 2017
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Discover the spellbinding stories of sixteen favorite mythical creatures from around the world. Dragons and griffins through to mermaids and giants, this lovingly illustrated novel will be for you.
With gorgeous illustrations and catchy little bits of story about mythical creatures, this large format children’s book is going to suit a range of fantasy enthusiasts. Perhaps you aren’t ready to read a big book of mythology? Perhaps you just want to have a taster of it? This is the book for you.
Of course, my favourite part was bound to be about dragons, and there wasn’t enough detail here for me. But for a beginner, it’s a nice introduction.
This has got to be the perfect gift for the younger someone who wants to know more about mythology past JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I’ll be giving it to a 7 year old beginning reader who is simply going to love it.
Discover the spellbinding stories of sixteen favorite mythical creatures from around the world. Dragons and griffins through to mermaids and giants, this lovingly illustrated novel will be for you.
With gorgeous illustrations and catchy little bits of story about mythical creatures, this large format children’s book is going to suit a range of fantasy enthusiasts. Perhaps you aren’t ready to read a big book of mythology? Perhaps you just want to have a taster of it? This is the book for you.
Of course, my favourite part was bound to be about dragons, and there wasn’t enough detail here for me. But for a beginner, it’s a nice introduction.
This has got to be the perfect gift for the younger someone who wants to know more about mythology past JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I’ll be giving it to a 7 year old beginning reader who is simply going to love it.
October 3, 2018
A very beautiful introduction to a world of mythological creatures. The information provided is very basic, because of the length of the book but still interesting. The illustrations accompanying each text are absolutely stunning and depict the monsters in a very colourful, life-like way. The only bad side of the book that I could find was that it is much too short - I would love to see a longer compendium of this quality.
August 8, 2019
Children who love to learn about monsters and magical creatures will enjoy poring over Magnificent Magical Beasts by Simon Holland. Short, informational text about a myriad of monsters is accompanied by unique illustrations, drawn in many styles by different artists. This gives the book a unique feel to each page. This is a great choice for a quick read at the dinner table, or for the very brave, at bedtime. For ages 7 - 12.
October 10, 2021
Information about Phoenix, Giants, Fearsome Giants (?), Harpies, Unicorn, Centaurs, Basilisks, Trolls, Merpeople, Dragons (guide), Werewolves (now to outwit them), Chimera, Sphinxes, Cerberus, Fearsome Gatekeepers, Griffins, Pegasus and Elves (spells & tricks). Plus, magical words (glossary).
Beautiful illustrations. I like the full 2-page fold out illustration of the dragon. And I had the problem with elf-locks when I was a kid.
Beautiful illustrations. I like the full 2-page fold out illustration of the dragon. And I had the problem with elf-locks when I was a kid.
July 16, 2017
It's so beautiful..... Ahh
If you want an insight on magical beasts and want to dwell into fantasy to understand the roots of magical beasts, myths and legends this is an awesome book to just fly through.
It's fascinating to see how almost every author takes a myth, an idea, or a creature and crafts into their epic fantasy books.
If you want an insight on magical beasts and want to dwell into fantasy to understand the roots of magical beasts, myths and legends this is an awesome book to just fly through.
It's fascinating to see how almost every author takes a myth, an idea, or a creature and crafts into their epic fantasy books.
May 27, 2018
Genialnie wydany bestiariusz :) Informacji jest to co prawda niewiele, jednak mamy opisane podstawy o każdym stworzeniu, zdecydowanie największym atutem tej książki są barwne ilustracje magicznych istot, chociaż dowiedziałam się też kilku ciekawostek, o których wcześniej nie miałam pojęcia. Przyjemny dodatek do zbioru fanatyków fantastyki.
November 5, 2018
Awesome!
January 16, 2019
Love the pictures and it's always a joy to be reminded about the myths and legendary creatures from childhood stories.
July 27, 2022
I need an adult version of this book 😍
March 24, 2025
A fun read that had me searching up stuff + beautiful illustrations!!
March 12, 2018
Perfect for ages 3 - 103!
March 24, 2020
Świetna książka ,z przepięknymi ilustracjami ,która jest idealna dla każdego kto uwielbia "Magiczne istoty"
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my-favorite
July 6, 2018love this book
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews