In her diary, thirteen-year-old Abigail Thaddeus intersperses revelations from her secret quest to unearth the mysteries of mythological beasts with reports of the everyday strangeness of her own dysfunctional life.
Abigail Thaddeus is aware of her borderline geek status--which only keeps her secretly yearning for a life of fame and adventure. But as an eighth-grader in the tiny town of Westbrook, tucked away in her grandparents' ramshackle old mansion, her chances for glory are slim. That is, until she discovers a mysterious letter that launches her on an undercover quest to research mythical beasts. With the help of her best friend, Charley, Abigail unearths little-known facts about mythical creatures, from the familiar unicorn to the bizarre bonnacon. The more she learns, the more she finds that all is not as it may seem. When a threatening letter arrives, the lines between fact and fiction and excitement and danger begin to cross. Pop, her overly-strict grandfather, and Ninny, her nutty grandmother, may both be part of a reality more complicated and mystical than Abigail ever imagined. Will Abigail pursue top-secret knowledge at all costs or choose a path of safety? Her decision could bring eternal glory . . . or certain doom! In this scrapbook-style journal, Abigail's quest to investigate mythical beasts is full of adventure, mishap, spunky humor, colorful sketches, and historically based research.
Step-by-step diagrams show young artists how to draw fantastic unicorns of all kinds in the newest addition to the popular Ralph Masiello drawing series. By following the simple steps shown in red, mythical creature lovers and aspiring artists can create their own beautiful creatures. With only a few lines, young and young-at-heart artists can draw unikitties, unipiggies, uniowls, and unicorns, as well as hideaways where the most intrepid creature hunters dare to find them.
The tenth book in Ralph Masiello’s popular drawing series shows budding artists how to illustrate quirky aliens from out of this world. Clear, linear steps in red outline how to draw the friendly Martians. Challenge steps in blue encourage adding extras to each masterpiece.
Provides step-by-step instructions for drawing Halloween motifs including pumpkins, ghosts, a black cat, gravestones, a witch, a skeleton, and a haunted mansion.
This easy-to-follow guide makes it simple for robot lovers and aspiring artists alike to learn how to draw robots. In step-by-step illustrations, beloved author/illustrator Ralph Masiello shows kids how to use circles, ovals, and other shapes build the body of a basic robot. Then it's off to the warehouse for spare parts where artists can use dials, switches, and antennae to make their design one of a kind. Bonus challenge steps show artists how to add claws, armor, and other fantastic features. The simple shapes and sequenced steps will encourage both confidence and creativity for artists at any level.
Ralph Masiello has taught young artists how to draw robots, dragons, dinosaurs, farm animals, fairies, and bugs. He’s introduced readers to techniques to capture creatures from the ocean, objects from Ancient Egypt, and spooky characters from Halloween on paper. In the tenth book in his drawing series, Ralph Masiello brings the spirit of Christmas alive. Starting with the snowman—a winter staple—Ralph guides budding illustrators through to the "Decoration Station" where step-by-step instructions teach them to draw trees, lights, ornaments, and wreaths. Then there’s the fireplace and the stockings—not to mention Santa and Mrs. Claus and all their friends and helpers at the North Pole! The book provides artists with the tools to create a true holiday scene. As in all of Ralph’s drawing books, there are extra steps outlined in blue for artists who want more of a challenge. Back matter includes a list of books and websites for further celebration of the winter and holiday season.
Author/illustrator Ralph Masiello explores the world of dragon lore, from the mystical Australian rainbow serpent to the revered imperial dragon of China. Just follow the steps in red to create your own mythical, magical beasts. Extra bonus steps in blue show how to add realistic scales and more advanced details.