Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures

February 23, 2015
Nine-year-old Pip Bartlett kicks off this series opener from Pearce (Cold Spell) and Stiefvater (The Raven Boys) by inadvertently instigating a unicorn stampede—sometimes being able to talk to magical creatures isn’t as wonderful as one might think. When Pip is sent to spend the summer in Georgia with her Aunt Emma, a dedicated vet for magical creatures, Pip gets plenty more practice in communicating with amazing beasts. Excerpts from her favorite book, Jeffrey Higgleston’s Guide to Magical Creatures, appear throughout, illustrated by Stiefvater and heavily annotated by Pip (“bad listeners,” she scrawls on the unicorn page, following the incident in the book’s prologue). When the town is overrun by Fuzzles—small, fuzzy creatures that catch fire at the slightest provocation—Pip has a chance to redeem herself. Fantasy fans will delight in Pip’s humorous adventures in a world whose mix of the magical and the modern feels like a gentler cousin to the ones featured in the authors’ respective YA books. Ages 8–12. Agent: (for Pearce) Josh Adams, Adams Literary; (for Stiefvater) Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Narrator Cassandra Morris picks up the lively tone set by the musical introduction and builds on it with an enchanting performance. After the "unicorn incident," young Pip Bartlett, who speaks to animals, is sent to Cloverton, South Georgia, to spend summer with her aunt to keep her out of trouble. But Pip finds herself immersed in adventures because Aunt Emma is a vet of magical creatures. Morris demonstrates great control and versatility in tone, pitch and voice, effectively capturing the humor and personality of each character. Variety in cadence and volume skillfully conveys the spirit and emotions of the young protagonist. Peter McGowan is the voice of Jeffrey Higgleston, the author of Pip's "bible"--GUIDE TO MAGICAL CREATURES. McGowan's even, authoritative narration perfectly complements Morris's dynamic performance and makes for an entertaining listen. M.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

September 1, 2015

Gr 3-6-Nine-year-old Pip loves magical creatures, and she possesses a unique talent for communicating with them. Although she seems to be the only human alive who understands animal speech, she has difficulty talking to other living, breathing humans. After her exuberant unicorn ride wreaks havoc at her Atlanta school's career day festivities, Pip is shipped off for the summer to help Aunt Emma at her vet clinic for magical animals. At the clinic, Pip sees hobgrackles, griffins, phoenixes, and bitterflunks, but it isn't until the fuzzles appear that things get out of hand. It's up to Pip and her new friend, Tomas, to figure out why the fiery creatures are flocking to their small town and how to protect the furry animals from being exterminated by animal control. Narrator Cassandra Morris brings this fast-paced story to life, using distinctive voices for plucky Pip, the fearful unicorn, the bossy animal control officer, and others. Peter McGowan voices entries from Pip's favorite book, "Jeffrey Higgleston's Guide to Magical Creatures," providing listeners with vital information about each magical animal Pip encounters. VERDICT This imaginative and well-written first title in a trilogy will have fantasy fans and animal lovers eagerly awaiting the next installment.-Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary School, Glen Rock, PA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.