Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: impossible

  • Impossible Creatures

    Impossible Creatures

    To open Impossible Creatures is to be catapulted straight into a fascinating fantasy world. Even for a non-fantasy reader, it is very hard to stop turning pages. The first page we come to is a map of an archipelago. The next pages show drawings and explanations of many creatures, some familiar such as Centaurs, and some not so well known such as Avancs. There are also the Longma, which are winged scaled horses of “Breathtaking beauty.”

    The first chapter begins with the sentence, “It was a fine day, until someone tried to kill her.” Mal is a young girl who has discovered a coat which can help her fly. She has not mastered the art of landing yet and still has skun knees and elbows. Her adventures are about to begin.

    Christopher is the next character we are introduced to. He has an amazing rapport with all animals and birds. He has been sent to the wilds of Scotland to stay with his grandfather. The chapters are labelled to give a warning as to what to expect. One is headed” Before the Murder”.

    Christopher and Mal meet and become partners as they discover the archipelago and all the mystical creatures there. But their adventures are only just beginning as not only their lives are under threat, but the secret location and destiny of the creatures they have discovered.

    Impossible Creatures from Katherine Rundall is a splendid example of a fantasy that is credible, readable and engrossing.

  • The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions

    The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions

    What is impossible about The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions is the ability to put it down. As much as you may wish to share it with a child it is hard not to keep reading yourself to find the answers. Hilarious!

    The introduction explains that Science is not so much about knowing a lot of facts, but about asking questions. The best questions though are the IMPOSSIBLE ones, such as “If chickens are so delicious, why don’t they eat themselves?”  The reader is encouraged to explore life and come up with their own questions.

    Following pages have questions which have answers such as “Why does rain smell rainy? Could I touch a rainbow? Does yellow look the same to me as it does to you? The pleasing part of these discussions is the logical and simple explanation given. For example, the question, “Why do I like my friends more than I like other people? is given a serious answer.

    Friendships have been studied and it is found that we “Tend to make friends with people who are like us.” Being of a similar age and living close to each other helps, but it seems that expressions and body language often match our own.

    There are approximately 40 questions posed and answered in this book. Each one is given a page of simple explanation. The illustrations and colourful pages add to the pleasure of reading and help to give visual answers and perspective. This is such a fun way to learn.

  • The Way To Impossible Island

    The Way To Impossible Island

    The Way to Impossible Island is a novel for competent readers, as both the language and the concepts require a certain level of maturity. For children who love fantasy, this is a great example of an adventure story that encompasses time travel, as well as the brutal reality of having a health issue. The detail which the Sophie Kirtley has used to give the story a believable edge is original and fun.

    The main characters in this tale are, Mothgirl and her wolf friend, ByMySide. They are inseparable, and it happens that one day when out hunting, they become lost. They meet up with a boy called Dara. He must have an operation, but for a small reason, it has been postponed. Dara wants to live a normal life and not be fussed over by his parents. So, this girl from the stone age, and the boy from the present day, meet and join forces to survive the dangers they are facing.

    They both need to get to Lathrin Island. Even though their communication is very limited, they begin to understand each other, and they show support as they combine their ideas to overcome problems and create new pathways. They must find “The Secret Tunnel, and Gentle Bess Cottage,” once they are on the Island. Suddenly, there is a deadly adversary, and Dara is not strong or fit enough to run a way.

    This is a most engaging adventure story for both boys and girls. With some heart stopping adventures and some wonderful moments of love between the girl and her wolf, it ensures that the reader continues to the end to see what the outcomes will be for both the characters.