Michael Morpurgo wrote War Horse, a novel for 9 - 12 year-olds, about a beautiful young horse sold away from his youthful master to serve the troops in the mud and smoke and misery of Europe's first World War. It is this conflict whose end we celebrate on November 11th each year. The novel looks at war through the horse's eyes and follows the determination and love of a young man to be reunited with his beloved horse.
Karen Lasky's series, Guardians of Ga'Hoole, premiered in the animated "Legend of the Guardians" last Fall. The books and film artfully engage the majesty and magic of owls in a parable that is altogether human.
Dragons are made of parts borrowed from birds, reptiles, mammals and imagination. Assemble two: from the old Norse traditions that Hiccup so carefully describes. Or from the now 15 year-old Pokemon traditions of Japan. Make your dragon match your favorite or look like a beast no one else has ever seen.
Before he built a man, Dr. Frankenstein built a cat. Experiment with static electricity and batteries. Then bring your own cat to life with basic circuits, motors, switches, lights, and purrs.
