Saturday, February 11, 2012

Wallner, Alexandra J.R.R. Tolkien


Wallner, Alexandra      J.R.R. Tolkien    
 Holiday House     2011  unp   17.95 978-0-8234-1951-7 
 elem  E-BNe       Juvenile biography of fantasy writer John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.       
      More than half a century has passed since audiences first read and enjoyed the epic fantasies written by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (which include “The Hobbit,” and “The Lord of the Rings”). Alexandra Wallner introduces youngsters to the intriguing details of Tolkien’s life -- the early deaths of both parents, involvement in school writing clubs, romance, and the deaths of friends in World War I.  Combined with Tolkien’s love of language and words and his penchant for storytelling, these events are inextricably woven into the author’s masterworks.

John Wallner’s illustrations beautifully meld with the text.  The watercolor, pencil and ink illustrations resemble a game board wandering across the pages (the illustrator dedicates the book to the “Game of Imagination”).  Children will like the “cards,” which resemble those found in gaming packets.

Carefully researched, the volume provides an attractive, interesting introduction to J.R.R. Tolkein.  Readers who have not yet read Tolkein’s works may be prompted to peruse them; those who are familiar with Tolkein’s stories will find details that provide further insight into his work.  This is a solid choice for primary biography collections.
                  1. Novelist, British -- 20th century -- Biography.  2. Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel -- Biography.       Hilary Welliver

 

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