July 25, 2016
Riggs follows his bestselling Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and its sequels with an enticing collection of what purports to be “peculiar” folklore, “passed down from generation to generation since time immemorial.” Among the 10 tales—ostensibly collected, edited, and annotated by Millard Nullings, a peculiar from the novels—are “The Splendid Cannibals,” which concerns a town where people can regrow the lost limbs they regularly sell to rich cannibals at premium prices; “Cocobolo,” about a peculiar father and son in ancient China who turn into islands as they mature; and “The Pigeons of Saint Paul’s,” in which a peculiar named Wren makes a deal with London’s pigeons in order to get his cathedral built. Arriving just in time for the fall release of the Miss Peregrine film, these tales, which often reference events in the earlier novels, are alternately droll, somber, and a bit horrific, and they’re sure to appeal to fans of the series. Elegantly detailed engravings from Davidson open each story, setting the tone for the tale that follows. Ages 12–up. Author’s agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House.
In this special edition, fictive author Millard Nullings selects 10 tales from the many that have passed down through generations to instruct and inform those of the "peculiar persuasion."A prefatory warning that the contents are "strange, depressing, and altogether not to your liking," not to mention "none of your business," will surely cause wiser "normals" to steer clear. Those impetuous enough to join peculiar readers in proceeding, however, will find a number of affecting adventures. These lead off with a cautionary episode in which villagers who can regenerate body parts grow rich by selling limbs to cannibals but ultimately let greed overwhelm their better judgement. Later offerings include the origin of the first shape-changing Ymbryne, the story of an unloved lad who becomes a giant locust, and a tale of the long war between Londoners and pigeons over air rights. Clever tweaks ("we have a modest proposal for you," says a cannibal in the opener) abound, and endings are mostly happy. The tales all feature full-page illustrations that look like finely worked wood engravings and offer glimpses of realistically depicted figures, major incidents, and eerie details. Specific descriptions of characters seldom enter in, aside from one dark-skinned seer of ghosts and a scaled princess, but names that range from Fergus and Joao to Hector and Zheng hint at some diversity in the cast. A properly peculiar collection from Riggs. (Short stories. 11-15) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
September 1, 2016
Gr 6 Up-Riggs gives fans of his "Miss Peregrine" trilogy a history lesson of sorts in 10 short stories that provide a glimpse into the fascinating past of peculiars and Peculiardom. These fables seem familiar yet completely new, touching on themes and subjects that populate classic myths and legends. For example, the famous phrase no man is an island, entire of itself takes on a completely different meaning for one peculiar. The tales are presented as written records of known stories passed down from generation to generation, collected and presented by Millard Nullings, Esq., EdD, MBCh (one of Miss Peregrine's children from the original books), with footnotes that fill in historical details. The pieces predate the use of photography, so instead of employing the intriguing and mysterious found photographs featured in past works, Riggs relies on beautifully detailed illustrations that capture another time and place. The stories center on characters who are different, who don't fit in, who aren't accepted by those around them, and who overcome these challenges and come to embrace who they truly are. VERDICT For fans of the past books, this volume will provide new insight into many of the events in Peculiar history. It is also a perfect gateway for new readers to enter the world Riggs has created. Recommended for all libraries.-Billy Parrott, New York Public Library
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
August 1, 2016
Grades 7-12 Fans of Riggs' Miss Peregrine series will delight over this slender companion book of peculiar folklore, as will neophytes. Much as J. K. Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2008) did for the Harry Potter series, these stories enhance the mythology Riggs has created around peculiardom rather than forward the series' plot. Curated and annotated by Millard Nullingsan invisible scholar whom Miss Peregrine readers will know wellare 10 tales, ranging from explanatory, such as The Pigeons of St. Paul's, which accounts for the Great Fire of London and why pigeons call the cathedral home, to cautionary, as in The Splendid Cannibals, which gives new meaning to something being worth an arm and a leg. Adhering to fairy-tale tradition, most of the stories offer a lesson couched within a fascinating, and frequently dark, account of a princess, ghost, giant, or shape-shifter (though The First Ymbryne uniquely offers a snippet of peculiar history). Each tale is preceded by an exquisite woodcut illustration by Davidson, full of intricate detail, making this a lovely complement to the series. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Giant Miss Peregrine displays are popping up in theaters in preparation for the first book's movie release. This will only feed the peculiar frenzy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)
August 1, 2016
In this special edition, fictive author Millard Nullings selects 10 tales from the many that have passed down through generations to instruct and inform those of the peculiar persuasion.A prefatory warning that the contents are strange, depressing, and altogether not to your liking, not to mention none of your business, will surely cause wiser normals to steer clear. Those impetuous enough to join peculiar readers in proceeding, however, will find a number of affecting adventures. These lead off with a cautionary episode in which villagers who can regenerate body parts grow rich by selling limbs to cannibals but ultimately let greed overwhelm their better judgement. Later offerings include the origin of the first shape-changing Ymbryne, the story of an unloved lad who becomes a giant locust, and a tale of the long war between Londoners and pigeons over air rights. Clever tweaks (we have a modest proposal for you, says a cannibal in the opener) abound, and endings are mostly happy. The tales all feature full-page illustrations that look like finely worked wood engravings and offer glimpses of realistically depicted figures, major incidents, and eerie details. Specific descriptions of characters seldom enter in, aside from one dark-skinned seer of ghosts and a scaled princess, but names that range from Fergus and Joo to Hctor and Zheng hint at some diversity in the cast. A properly peculiar collection from Riggs. (Short stories. 11-15)
COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.