Don't Let the Beasties Escape This Book! is a humorous children's book based on the idea of a magical bestiary which comes to life, releasing the fantastic beasts described within as young Godfrey goes about his daily chores in the castle.

Due out 10th Sept 2019 from Getty publications, it's 40 pages and will be available in hardcover format. This is a beautifully illustrated children's book with a simple story full of imagination by Julie Berry and wonderful illustrations by April Lee.

There's a certain amount of magical realism in the book, with an artist/scribe who is more of a wizard and a magical bestiary which leads "Sir Godfrey the Glorious" to his imaginary adventures.

The end of the book has a nice discussion of illuminated medieval bestiaries and some of the realities of daily life for people living in the middle ages.This would be a superlative reading circle read or library selection. There are questions at the back of the book which will stimulate further conversation and (hopefully) research on the part of the young readers. This would also make a great bedtime or 'read-to-me' read; with a fantastic scope for potential silly voices for the person reading.

Four stars. Gorgeous art and a worthwhile subject.

This is an interesting book, but I was expecting it to be a little more... something. I am not really sure what. It's an interesting example of a bestiary and it's an interesting way to show people what a bestiary is. But the story didn't really engage me so much and I did find the Illuminator very strange-looking.

Godfrey, the son of peasant farmers, is distracted from his chores by the Book of Beasts, which an artist is working on for the lady of the castle. As he pages through the book he imagines the adventures of a “mighty hero, a bold knight … why, Sir Godfrey the Glorious, of course!”

While Godfrey goes about his chores he tells the animals about Sir Godfrey’s adventures, unaware of the chaos that begins to unfold as he names each of the beasties in the book.

I knew I needed to read this book solely because of April Lee’s incredible illustration of the dragon on the front cover. Over the past couple of months I’ve read this book at least four times but each time I finished reading I couldn’t decide what I wanted to say about it. While I am in awe of the detailed drawings of all of the beasties and know I would have been drawn to the colours of the griffin, bonnacon and dragon as a child, I don’t think child me would have really enjoyed this book.

I found the details at the end of the story about life in an English castle and the different beasts interesting but am certain I would have bypassed this information if I’d read this book as a child as my interest in history and mythology didn’t make themselves known until I was an adult. I was distracted by the text within the scrolls, which didn’t seem necessary as the illustrations clearly told those components of the story.

This book was inspired by ‘Book of Beasts: The Bestiary in the Medieval World’, an exhibition at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Getty Publications for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.

I'm a sucker for magical creatures of any kind, but even if I weren't I think I'd love this story. The illustrations are intricate and beautiful, and Godfrey (with his tendency to get distracted from his chores) was very relatable. I also loved that the book included discussion questions, and a bestiary at the end! The story is short enough to hold the attention of preschoolers, but beautiful and interesting enough that older children (and adults) can enjoy it as well.

I just reviewed Don't Let the Beasties Escape This Book! by Julie Berry. #DontLetTheBeastiesEscapeThisBook #NetGalley

What do you know about beasts? About dragon, unicorn, lion? This is an illustrated book of those beasts, packed in a story for kids. Therefore, interesting! The author didn't only tell us on such beasts, but their abilities, and a background story how these (mostly) surreal animals exists.

A picture book inspired by an exhibit at the J. Paul Getty Museum, <i>Don't Let the Beasties Escape This Book!</i> follows a medieval peasant boy named Godfrey through his day. Although his mother gives him a list of chores to do and reminds him that he must not forget any of them, Godfrey is distracted by the book being created for the lady of the castle. He borrows the book to look at the illuminated images inside and begins to make up a story about the beasts in the pictures. Godfrey doesn't realize that saying the names of the beasts will summon them from the book. A lion, unicorn, griffin, bonnacon, and dragon all appear as the tale of "Godfrey the Glorious" becomes more and more elaborate. Luckily, even though Godfrey is distracted by the adventure he imagines, the creatures manage to complete all his chores for him without his notice - until the dragon lights the fire in the cottage.

Back matter includes an explanation of what a bestiary was, and about how life in a medieval castle worked. Families like Godfrey's would not have their own books, but would hear tales of fantastic beasts. Those tales were a mix of true facts from distant explorers and myths and legends. Without cameras, television, and other media we are accustomed to today, people had no way of knowing which stories were true or not. Examples of various beasts shown in the books form the exhibit are shared along with descriptions of the beasts and their powers.

This would be a helpful book to use when talking about fake news. The comparison of tales from beastiaries and the incredible stories shared across social media and the Internet could start a discussion about what can be proven and what is only rumor. It is also a fun book just for the glimpse into medieval life and fantastic beasts.

A charming story, beautifully illustrated with magnificent animals. A pleasure to read or to read to someone! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!
#DontLetTheBeastiesEscapeThisBook #NetGalley

The idea for this book was great, but I think instead of having the page of facts about life in a castle at the back, it would have been better had those ideas been incorporated into the actual story and illustrations. As it is now it feels like it’s jumping between age groups. Also the relationship between the beasties arriving and the chore that they accomplished felt a little choppy in the text, and the illustrations didn’t relate at all. For instance, Godfrey supposedly tamed the lion by wrestling him, but all we saw was Godfrey drinking milk from a bucket, and the lion hardly looked like he was slinking away with his tail between his legs. The unicorn was never fed a pear (and those weren’t harvested yet anyway) nor did he ever have a rope around his neck. The Griffin never flew away in terror, and he didn’t attack the unicorn (thankfully), but merely landed in the pear tree, which did nothing to harvest the pears since they were still happily attached to the branches. The bonnacon obviously blew the leaves away, but there was no stream and no forced bathing to remove the stench, which was a shame since most children could surely relate to a bonnacon who doesn’t like bathtime either. Aside from that the illustrations were charming, with the exception of the artist/warlock who looks creepy. Godfrey and his mom both look wonderful, and Godfrey’s facial expressions are endearing. The bestiary images and descriptions at the back of the book were interesting and entertaining to look at and read, but again the book didn’t feel like it had a consistent age group.

I was given a copy of this book for free, but that did not affect my review.

I loved this nook as an introduction for children. The illustrations are colorful and beautifully done.

I received the Kindle version through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the story of a young boy, Godfrey, who lived in medieval times, and whose mother is a servant in a castle. Godfrey, like most children (ok...adults too) doesn't like doing his chores, so his mother has to constantly remind him of his duties. Godfrey tends to daydream and forgets to do his chores, but with the help of his imagination (and magical beastly friends) he manages to finish them in a much more enjoyable way. This book has gorgeous pictures in it which really draws the reader into the story. The kindle unfinished version seemed a bit disjointed at times but I think it will all come together by the time of publication. Particularly due to the pictures, this will be a great book in a physical book format.

I was given this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

While I loved the illustrations for this book, the story telling aspect was a little confusing. We're told about the making of the book, but that plot point is quickly abandoned in exchange for random beastie shenanigans. I liked it, but I feel like it didn't do what it set out to. It just felt lost.

A beautiful and imaginative picture book with captivating illustrations. Wonderful storytelling and meticulously detailed illustrations combine to create an immersive reading experience.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.

The illustrations are beautiful and really make the pages come alive.

This is a fun read-aloud story for kids and contains images for each beast mentioned. The little historical blurb may not be a fun read for the age range targeted by this book, but it is interesting and could be read aloud while showing some of the pictures in the book.

I read an ARC provided by NetGalley for my review.

This is an excellent introduction to medieval life, books, and bestiaries. There is quite a bit of information included at the end to assist parents and teachers if they wish to use it as an educational tool. The illustrations a gorgeous. The only reason for the star deduction is that many kids in the targeted age range will need help with understanding the words and context of the main story.

This colorful child's book is a simple introduction to medieval life and mythical creatures. It's a tale of imaginative hijinks, with folk-style illustrations. Personally, I found the ending "Note to Readers" to be most interesting, with its explanation of how medieval people would have understood never-seen creatures, and connections to the art that inspired the book.

Don't Let the Beasties Escape This Book! by Julie Berry and what a beautiful colourful book this is.
I know a little boy who would love to have this book in his collection of books.

In this book you meet Godfrey a lovely peasant boy who works for a great lord and lady of a big castle. One morning on his way to do his chores at the castle Godfrey drifts off into his own imaginative world and now is now a noble knight Sir Godfrey. He meets and battles with a lion, tames a unicorn, defeats a griffin, conquers a bonnacon, and triumphs over a dragon. Godfrey does not realise that every-time he says the name of an animal, it magically emerges from the book, causing mayhem and inadvertently accomplishing his chores. WoW..........This book is a fun read and will have a small child talk about these beautiful colourful beasts and make up their own stories. The illustrations are very colourful and beautiful.

This book would make a great birthday or even a great Christmas present.


Thanks to NetGalley and Getty Publications for the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest. I loved it.

Julie Berry takes us into the heart of thirteenth century medieval England where young Godfrey sits in the yard surrounded by the castle walls. His mother, a maidservant, tells him he will need to help out with chores. Godfrey is known to forget his chores while he drifts off into his own imaginative world with the noble knight Sir Godfrey.
An artist is in residence painting a Book of Beasts for the lady of the castle. Godfrey spies the book and decides to look through the paintings as he tells a fanciful story about the beasts in the book and how his imaginary Sir Godfrey battles them. It just so happens this is a magical book and when Godfrey names the beasts (lion, unicorn, dragon etc) they come to life from the pages. As Godfrey continues his story each beast escapes and gets up to mischief behind Godfrey’s back. As they play they inadvertently complete Godfrey’s chores for him.
The story ends with all the beasts hiding in Godfrey’s home until the artist comes and zaps them all back into the book.
The story portrays the beasts in a fun and whimsical way as they get up to mischief behind Godfrey’s back. The illustrations are a story within themselves and bring a new element of entertainment to the story as we see the yard animals reactions to the beasts arrival.
The book also contains engaging backmatter with information on life in the Middle Ages and a mini-bestiary drawn from original 13th Century manuscripts along with typical legends and lore.
I would recommend this book for any child 3+years.

I think this book has a really unique and fun story line. The illustrations are beautiful, and it would be a great book to read aloud. I think it will inspire children to use their imaginations. I enjoyed this title.

Charmingly illustrated in muted colour pencil, Don’t Let the Beasties Escape This Book is a humorous and enjoyable read for the monster-, mythical-creature- or medieval-loving child. This picture book is short enough to fit into a rushed bedtime routine, but rich enough in detail to invite readers to search for all the different things going on on each page.

My 5-year-old was immediately drawn to the enticing cover with its giant, looming dragon, and he loved following the adventures of Godfrey, distracted by his lively imagination and oblivious to the chaos left in his stead as he goes about fulfilling his daily chores. There are plenty of giggles and gasps to be found in this book, as the text and illustrations grow more and more excited and busy until our own bestiary seems so full of monsters that it’s ready to spill over into this side of reality.

The notes to the reader at the back of the book present a wonderful opportunity to talk about what life may have been like for people living in medieval Europe, about myths and legends and bestiaries (which inspired this very book!), and introduce a few lesser-known monsters children may not be familiar with to expand their knowledge of lore.

From Getty Publications, these whimsical, wonderful Medieval inspired illustrations are worth the price of admission alone.

The episodic stories are meant to be jump-off points for the reader's own flights of fancy, fun and mischief. There is a simple setup of a boy who neglects his choirs while day dreaming of ancient world fantastical beasts such as a bonnacon (a bull with horns curved inward and a horse's mane). What happens next is up to you. Stay and participate or move on to the next episode. Some readers may find this role playing construct jarring.

Note that reading this book in digital format via the good folks at NetGalley is less than ideal and doesn't do justice to the amazing artwork. Would love to get my hands on a print copy.