Storybook Favorites

These are in the order I found them in!

#1- Creatures of Irish Lore, Nicole Griffing

Cliffs of Moher
(Image found on the Introduction page of the discussed storybook)

Griffing's storybook focuses on close encounters with creatures from old Irish tales. While many have heard of banshees, leprechauns, mermaids, and fairies, Nicole's take really brings these magical beings to life. Opening with a group of three American tourists hitchhiking across Ireland, the three friends get stranded in a downpour and stumble into an old pub seeking shelter. The pubs owner, and elderly Irish man by the name of Jack O'Connell, tells the young trio about his experience with a banshee that resulted in the passing of his friend. The subsequent stories with the rest of the creatures are told as Mr. O'Connell's friends wander into the establishment. The division of the story into sections by which magical being was being discussed fit well with the flow of the story and the dialogue from the locals being written in the phonetic vernacular added a bit of charm that brought the story to life even more.

#2- Happily Ever After? A Prince's Perspective, Kate Brandon

In her storybook, Brandon examines a handful of Disney Princes and their second thoughts on how they ended up where they are, ten years after the original endings many know and love. The page has a logical set up, being split into which prince is being focused on. Being a huge Disney nerd myself, I was a bit disappointed in the choice to follow the original tales from the early first millennium, especially given the photo choice for the introduction page:

Disney Couples
(Image found on the Introduction page of the discussed storybook)

However, the author did leave notes explaining the differences between the early tales and the Disney adaptations that would be very helpful to those not familiar with those versions. Overall, the stories explored were excellent in concept, but felt a bit rushed. I personally didn't think the approach was too terrible, but would prefer to stick to Jon Cozart's interpretations in the future.

#3- Hell On Earth, 'Virgil'

This storybook focuses on giving the reader an experience similar to the protagonist in the Italian classic Donte's Inferno. While the creator does not give their real name, the credited author is none other than Dante's own guide, Virgil.

Virgil
(Image found on the Introduction page of the discussed storybook)

The story begins with a first person introduction from Virgil, then shifts to a second person writing style as the reader is given an 'experience' in three of nine sins Dante explored the layers of Hell for. Addiction, wrath, and murder are shown via the reader 'becoming' an individual guilty of said sin. The approach to story telling taken in this particular tale was unique to the other two that I looked at in that it involved the reader directly. Not only were the actions in each scenario quite detailed, but the emotions were very well written too. That is not always good however, as the final experience, murder, is quite intense and is not recommended for younger or easily disturbed readers.