The Dinotopia series, Book 1 James Gurney Turner Fiction, MG? Adventure/Fantasy/Picture Book Themes: Cross-Genre, Dinosaurs, Lost Worlds *****
Description
Professor Arthur Dennison and his son, William, are the sole survivors of a shipwreck in the mid-1800's. Dolphins bring them to the shores of an
unknown land, where they discover dinosaurs living side-by-side with humans in a remarkable lost civilization. This is Arthur's journal of their
travels across Dinotopia, recording the culture, spectacular sights, and their own adventures with dinosaurs and humans alike.
Review
I suppose I could've just as easily put called this "Sci-Fi" or just a "Picture Book," as there's no spellcasting or mythical beasts to speak of
(aside from sentient dinosaurs), but there is an undeniable magic to these pages that qualifies it as Fantasy. The paintings are breathtaking, and
make you feel as though you, too, are walking unknown paths in a fantastic place. I absolutely loved this tale! Anyone who can read it and tell me,
honestly, that they wouldn't want to visit Dinotopia either is incredibly jaded or has no wonder in their soul.
The Dinotopia series, Book 2 James Gurney Turner Fiction, MG? Adventure/Fantasy/Picture Book Themes: Cross-Genre, Dinosaurs, Lost Worlds ****
Description
The continuing story of Arthur and Will in the land of Dinotopia begins with the professor trying to introduce machinery into the local culture. He
is fascinated by relics found in his first journey to the sacred World Beneath (in the first book), which include peculiar power crystals, strange
artifacts from Dinotopia's nearly-forgotten past, and half of a key. When a girl named Aria produces the key's other half, kept for generations as a
family heirloom, Arthur is off once more to the caverns below Dinotopia, with a few other odd characters who insist on accompanying him - including Aria,
who seeks her own family's lost history in the ancient caverns. Meanwhile, Will is busy with his new job of Skybax rider, now stationed in the
tyrannosaur-inhabited Rainy Basin.
Review
The story isn't quite as absorbing as the first book, and a few of the paintings looked rushed, but it still has the old Dinotopia magic in it. In the
end, there is a tie-in as to how the first book got into the "outer world." Once again, it's the artwork that carries you away, at least as much as (if
not more than) the narrative. Though I preferred the diary format of the previous book, wherein the reader became part of the wonderful discoveries of
Will and Arthur as they first explored the land, this story works, too. Another treasure in my library, which I hope will be joined by a third story
someday.
(I've seen the third book, and am not as impressed as I'd hoped to be. I'm waiting to find it at a discounted price before actually reading it - maybe it
was just the continuing deterioration of the art quality that put me off.)
James Gurney Andrews McMeel Publishing Nonfiction, Art *****
Description
Professional artist James Gurney is perhaps best known for his imaginative illustrated Dinotopia series, where he convincingly blends
humans and prehistoric animals in a variety of settings. Here, he explains how to use real-world inspirations, hand-crafted maquettes, and other
props to create realistic visions of the impossible.
Review
I love Gurney's works. The original Dinotopia is one of my favorite sense-of-wonder experiences. Seeing how he pulls it off only makes me
appreciate his work all the more. Gurney doesn't walk readers step by step through paintings, nor does he spend pages on anatomy and perspective and
other things covered in so many other art books. His focus is just what the title says: painting what doesn't exist in as realistic a manner as
possible. He uses models built out of clay, paper, and other materials to study lighting and composition. He uses live models in costume. He uses
plein air studies and heaps of reference files, and he takes the time to answer all the big questions about composition and such before paint touches
canvas. All the time spent on this background work shows in his paintings. This book may not be for rank beginners, but it's an inspiring read for
anyone who wants to create beautiful imaginative art or simply wants to understand how people like Gurney pull off the impossible. This is yet another
art book that makes me wish I had a decent workspace. And a budget. Oh, yeah - and an iota of talent with a paintbrush. Dang it.
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