Merlin's Magical Creatures

Pont Books, the Gomer Press imprint which publishes books with Welsh connections in English, have an excellent reputation for creating robust and elegantly designed books that combine imaginative text and vivid illustrations. This magical bestiary is no exception. Reportedly based on a natural history penned by Merlin himself, and introduced by Gwyn Thomas, the National Poet of Wales, the book presents paintings and descriptions of dragons, fairy-folk, household imps, subterranean spirits, water creatures, giants and mountain dwellers. Each of the subjects is given a full page portrait, with the facing page offering information on etymology, habits and habitat. The descriptions and supernatural history notes are concise and entertaining, and the pictures blaze on the page. I found the Plant-cyfnewid, changelings left with mortal families by child-stealing fairies, particularly sinister. My only quibble about the collection is that there are too many pointy fangs, snarling jaws and groping claws. Surely there is broader bizarreness, and also a wealth of beauty, in the crypto-fauna of Welsh mythology? Children will thoroughly enjoy this book, and perhaps they could be invited to use its format as a template in the invention of their own, more varied bestiaries.