'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Sunday, 2 August 2020

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

Enter a world filled with magical and mystical creatures from the world of Harry Potter and immerse yourself in the quest for knowledge. 

Compiled by famed Magizoologist Newton Scamander, wizards and muggles will love discovering what this updated field guide has to offer.

Travelling the world through darkest jungles, mountain peaks and marshy bogs. An extraordinary array of magical fauna from across five continents is the result of years of exploration and adventure. 

Over 10 different breeds of dragons have been recorded and sighted, along with magical beasts in hiding and others who wish to remain unknown.

In his research, Newton Scamander discovered a number of beasts who loved to hide including many who require help to remain hidden. Beasts such as Tebo, Demiguise and Bowtruckle come with their own effective means of camouflage. Others inhabit places far out of reach of your everyday muggle.

Then there are the fascinating creatures who are too small or too fast for the naked muggle eye; Billywigs, Crups and Chizpurfles. It must be noted that declarations have been recorded on the use of disillusionment and memory charms to the Office of Misinformation to keep the identity and location of endangered species a well-guarded secret.

Some of the incredible entries and sketches in this book include the Acromantula – the monstrous eight eyed spiders capable of human speech. There was a colony rumoured to be in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts. Harry Potter and Cecil Diggery joined forces during the Triwizard’s Tournament to defeat one.

Another featured creature is the Graphorns who are found in the mountainous areas of Europe. Large greyish purple bodies with a humped back, powdered Graphorn horn is used in many a potion though it is extremely expensive to procure.

Streller the giant snail that changes colour and leaves a toxic trail so venomous that it shrivels and burns all vegetation is also recorded in this book. Students learn how to handle them in the fourth year subject Care of Magical Creatures.

This fantastical book holds a wealth of information for the budding young wizard. The best advice is to study this textbook as there is sure to be questions in the upcoming exams.

Disclaimer for muggles, this is purely a work of fiction with amazing sketches of fantastical creatures that push the boundaries of all our imaginations.

Title: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them
Author: J K Rowling
Illustrator: Olivia Lomenech Gill
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, $29.99  
Publication Date: 31 March 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781526620316
For ages: 7 - 10
Type: Junior Fiction