I enjoy this series of beginner biographies. They offer enough information to arouse the curosity of young readers without overwhelming them. In this title we are told the story of Tolkien's life from his birth in South Africa to his work on The Silmarillion during his final years. More details are included in the back matter along with archival photos. The illustrations capture the imagination of young Tolkien, beginning with the cover art showing him peering through a golden ring. Other images include a scene of Tolkien sitting beneath a tree as Bilbo runs up the hill behind him to catch up to Gandalf and the dwarves, and there is also a spread that shows him catching sight of children acting out his stories as he walks past the library door. Readers who are familiar with the recent "Lord of the Rings" films may be surprised to see how long ago the stories were written, or to learn of Tolkien's own experiences in World War I and II.
I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes. Publication date is set for April 26.
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