The Magic of Mythical Creatures

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

What kind of ivy makes a first-rate Troll repellent? Why are
Scandinavian brewers especially wary of werewolves around Christmastime?
Why did many medieval knights choose the Griffin as part of their coat
of arms? If a European dragon breathes fire, what does a Chinese dragon
exhale? And why is it a good idea to make a Shamattawatamoose feel at
home in your igloo?

Those who don’t know the answers to these questions may want to brush
up on their mythical monster folklore with this fascinating book. Every
page contains little-known facts about such obscure mythical creatures
as the Manitoba Ice Worm, Headless Horseman, Australian Bunyip, and
South Asian Naga. Though some of these creatures should always be
avoided, most are neither all good nor all bad. The Japanese Kappa, for
example, is both a boon and a bane to humans, because it has the power
to heal broken bones yet loves to pull mischievous pranks.

Colleayn Mastin writes about these creatures as if they were real, as
if she felt duty-bound, as a serious author, to present an accurate
profile to the reader. It is hard to resist prose that begins
“Warning! Do not even think about pitching your tent too close to a
Bunyip hole.” Yet, as engaging as Mastin’s text is, Jan Sovak’s
lively illustrations steal the show. Often grotesque but always funny,
these pictures are irresistible to readers of all ages. Highly
recommended.