Wizardology - a Review
Harry Potter Fans Learn More of Magic and Wizards
From Candlewick Press, children's books about wizards, dragons, pirates, pharoahs and mythology. Pop ups, pull outs and folklore for older children.
Wizardology published by Candlewick Press, 2006
ISBN 978-0-7636-3401-8
$12.99 US, $16.00 Canada 85 pages
"For any apprentice detemrined to learn the arcane art of Wizardry, could there be any better teacher than Merlin himself?" asks the publisher. If ever a publisher had a hook for a reading audience, Candlewick Press nailed it with their highly creative and engaging Wizardology.
Wizardology is the star volume of a subseries in a series. The series is, for lack of a better description, "the ologies." Within it, readers will find Wizardology, Dragonology, Egyptology, Pirateology and Mythology. You'll be hard-pressed to find books that outshine these.
When moms start their babies, early in life, with picture and pop-up books, they look for eye-catchig color, interactive presentations, pictures to draw the reader right into the book. Most successful for young children are books that either relate to something wonderfully familiar or something outlandishly adventurous. The ologies fill the bill.
You and your child might delve into the realm of pirates with Pirateology: Guide to Life on Board a Pirate Ship. This hard bound, oversized book is printed on heavy stock. It's actually a kit that allows for assembly of a ship, step by step. A front pocket contains the pull-out book describing lore from battles to scuttles and punishments to entertainments. There are interesting facts like, Sir Francis Drake began his career at age 20, and pirating wasn't just a man's job - Arabella Drummond and Anne Bonny tell you the real scoop. Enough of a read to intrigue, but not enough to frustrate before getting to the hands-on part. Enough history to inform, but enough lore to keep the youung reader coming back.
Right now, Wizardology is the most sought-after sub-series. With reading reborn for youngsters enamored of Mr. Potter and Co., this set is right on. There's an accompanying Web site. This is the difinitive pop-up replacement for kids who have outgrown the delights of little books but aren't ready for young adult fare. The Wizardology Handbook is tactile, fascinating and interactive. Like its fellow ologies, it isn't designed for very young kids. Aimed at mature 8's and up, it might also be fun as a read-to for younger kids with a good attention span.
Here's a note of caution - these creations, all of them, are written in a realism-type voice. The reader has to assume the subject is reality based - kind of like with video games. The text paints an imaginary world, richly colored and filled with mixed fact and fantasy. If you have strong personal or religious aversions to fantasy, you will want to skip some of these. For example, there are fortune telling cards included in Wizardology.
Over all, Candlewick Press books fill unique niches and these are no exeption. Any of the ologies would make excellent rainy day fun. They are attrative enough, with embedded gems in their covers and authentic iconic illustrations, for gift giving. And they're perfect for an extraordinary read on an ordinary day.
