Kumiko and the Dragon’s Secret

by Briony Stewart

UQP (University of Queensland Press). Australian, Junior, Mythical. Paperback rrp $14.95

Reviewed by Heather Zubek

I want a dragon just like Kumiko. I want a dragon that watches over you at night and protects you from the Shadow Catchers during the day. I am not a human born into the ancient royal bloodline of dragons unfortunately but young Kumiko is and so are her sister and Grandmother. They have guardian dragons that take them on all sorts of adventures.

Kumiko and the Dragon’s Secret is the second book in the series by young Perth author Briony Stewart but there is no need to read the first to understand the next installment.

Based on stories passed down from her Japanese grandmother and beautifully illustrated by Briony herself, Kumiko and the Dragon’s Secret continues the adventures of a young Japanese girl and her guardian dragon called Tomodo. Briony’s writing is rich and colourful with beautiful phrasing:

There is nothing outside but the hills, which lie like layers of torn paper across the horizon.

The illustrations are thoughtful and clearly influenced by the author’s Japanese roots. The story of sister rivalry is also sensitively detailed and brings a knowing smile to anyone who has a younger sibling.

Kumiko and the Dragon’s Secret is a beautiful mix of mythology and fiction. The chapters are short enough to hold the interest of young readers and a cliff hanger at the end of most of them ensures the pages are turned.

A wonderful series that will appeal to young readers aged 9+.

http://www.brionystewart.com/

Mythical Creatures

told by James Harpur, illustrated by Stuart Martin

Allen and Unwin. Young Adult. Paperback rrp $14.95

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This captivating book contains ‘spellbinding tales of fearsome beasts, terrifying creatures and magical monsters’. Its outstanding illustrations in vibrant colours and vivid images support the text that informs on Greek, Egyptian and Norse myths, German folklore and Chinese tales. There are thirteen different sections, some with sub-sections. Each page is coloured to imitate aged papyrus, and would suit age 12+ due to the graphic pictures of the mythical creatures.

Giant Trolls introduce Cyclops and Balor, the one-eyed giants. Half Human, Half Beast, presents the Centaur, Minotaur and Satyr. Dragons of the Orient shows the dual image of dragons. Commonly viewed as killers, they are honoured in China where the Chinese calendar depicts Dragon types as having a ‘dragon-like ability to soar to the skies with their ambitious ideas …are confident and brave… providing leadership to others’. The Dragons of the West alternately tells the tales of St George and the Dragon, and the Dragon of the Golden Fleece.

Horrifying Hybrids show us the Fire-Breathing Chimera, also described in Homer writings, which has the head and main body of a lion, a writhing snake for a tail, and a goat’s head poking up from its back. There is also Ammut, the Devourer of Hearts; an underworld demon with the head of a crocodile, the body of a lion in front, and that of a hippo behind. Last of the hybrids is the Theban Sphinx. There is a riddle here for the reader to solve.

Deadly Serpents presents the Midgard Serpent, The Hydra with its nine heads, and the lethal Basilisk. Dark Destroyers focuses on the female creatures and their incredible abilities with the Harpies, The Furies, and the snake-headed Medusa. Monsters of the Deep claims Scylla and Charybdis, while Water Maidens, speak of Sirens and the Rhine Maiden. Magical Horses picture the magnificent Unicorns, and Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged horse. Hellish Hounds uncovers the Hounds of Hades, the four-eyed Dogs of Yama and Garm from the sacred Hindu book Rig Veda, and Fenrir the Giant Wolf. The book winds up with Winged Wonders and Shape-shifters – Werewolves, Selkies and Proteus.

http://www.jamesharpur.com/