By Mary De Maio
Special to the Times-News
Have you ever wondered why you can't fix your hair in the morning? Maybe why there is a pebble in your shoe? There is also the ever popular question: Why is my dog covered in cheese? If you want to know then you should consider reading Goblins! A Survival Guide and Fiasco in Four Parts.
Renowned artist Brian Froud and scholar Ari Berk (both acclaimed goblinologists, according to a press release) have conducted a thorough investigation into the goblin realm. (Goblins, a subspecies of faery, are those maleficent creatures that cause all manner of havoc in the human realm.) The fruit of their labor, however, turned out to be infected with goblins, and now the authors are in hiding, actually, "resting" unable to help publisher Harry N. Abrams, Inc. make any sense of the research they submitted.
Join Froud and Berk as they journey through the Goblin Realm learning all there is to know about the goblins and their culture. With help from an unusual book Berk received in the mail (the Codex Goblinensis), and a strange goblin guide (named Gargle), they discover more than was ever imaginable. But is knowledge always a good thing? For the more they learn, the more Froud seems to act strangely. What comes with the knowledge of the Goblin Realm? Is it drastic, or possibly fatal?
The illustrations are fabulous, along with 3-D goblinizations by Wendy Froud. The text is also well written. This book is very creative and funny. You will get pulled in from the first page. The side comments by Gargle are very funny and, in my opinion, are some of the best components of this book.
I enjoyed this book very much and couldn't keep my nose out of it. After I got all my work done, I almost instantly reached for this book. It is very enjoyable to read, even if you are the kind of person who does not even like books. It is now one of my favorite books.
Brian Froud is an award-winning illustrator, author, and faery authority. His book includes the international best-sellers Faeries, Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book, Lady Cottington's Fairy Album, and The Faeries' Oracle. He also served as the conceptual designer on Jim Henson's films The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Froud lives in Devon, England.
Berk is a folklorist, poet, and scholar of literature, ethnography, iconography and comparative myth. He is also the author of popular titles for children, as well as The Runes of Elfland with Foud. Berk is associate professor of English at Central Michigan University.
The retail price of Goblins is $25 and will be available in October through www.abramsbooks.com on the Web.
Mary De Maio is a freshman at North Henderson High School.. Material from Harry N. Abrams Inc. was incorporated into this story.
GET aur BOOKE NOW- Uss Goblins!
Reed aur lovilee werds about this booke by uss Goblins!
Reed mour lovilee werds about this booke by uss!