Impossible Creatures

Key Ideas

1. 1

   Wonder as something worth protecting

   The book treats magic much like the natural world: fragile, astonishing, and capable of vanishing through neglect or greed. Rundell, who also writes passionately about real endangered animals, invites young readers to see that wonder is not guaranteed and that caring for living things is an active choice rather than a passive feeling.

2. 2

   A bestiary that feels genuinely alive

   Griffins, sphinxes, kraken, and dragons appear alongside lesser-known and invented creatures, each with distinct habits, temperaments, and dangers. Rather than serving as props, the animals have their own interests and dignity. The included bestiary encourages readers to linger, compare, and return to the world after finishing the story itself.

3. 3

   Children who must act when adults cannot

   In a familiar but well-handled quest pattern, Christopher and Mal discover that the grown-ups around them are limited, compromised, or out of reach. The story takes children's courage seriously without pretending it is easy, showing fear, doubt, and mistakes alongside bravery and loyalty.

4. 4

   Prose that rewards reading aloud

   Rundell's sentences are short, vivid, and frequently quotable, mixing humor with sudden moments of gravity. This makes the book especially strong for shared reading, where the rhythm of the language comes through. Adults often notice the craft of the writing as much as the plot.

5. 5

   Friendship built across two worlds

   Christopher and Mal come from very different places and have different temperaments, and their bond develops through shared danger rather than instant liking. Their friendship gives the adventure its emotional center and grounds the larger stakes of a dying world in a relationship readers can care about.