Imaginations running riot is an inherent part of childhood, be it dreaming of fairies, rivers of soda pop, trees of candy or mountains of chocolate. A bit of magic makes the world more liveable, and secret fantasies or fears add that dash of mystery to mere existence.
Neil Gaiman always manages to brings this world of fantasy alive in his books. Even in his first book for adults, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, released last year, he delved into the mysteries of childhood. Immensely readable and intensely gripping, Gaiman?s books are a journey into the unknown. A collection of stories selected by Gaiman, titled Unnatural Creatures, is a delightful exploration of any kind of dark fantasy a child might have.
Some of the creatures described are downright scary, like the spot on the tablecloth that moves to other objects, growing bigger all the time, and finally devouring the butler before others realise it?s actually a meat-eating creature. Others like the griffin, though portrayed as a menacing and frightening creature, are actually quite adorable. In some stories, like the one where a girl can converse with snakes, or where a seemingly adorable boy is actually a child-eating werewolf, the prospect of humans foraying into the dark world is explored. Gastronomy and the unknown sunbird come together in Gaiman?s own story and even heaven and hell are included in one of the best stories of the book, The Sage of Theare.
Horror and the dark realms are equally fascinating for kids as fairy tales, and the genre has found ticket on television as well. Several kids? channels have aired or are airing horror stories or shows with supernatural creatures in what can be described as ?late-night television? for children.
Gaiman also knows the pulse of his readers,which makes Unnatural Creatures a fascinating read, not only for children, but adults too.