The Beasts Beneath the Winds - by Hanna Alkaf (Hardcover)

About the Book

Regular kids encounter the mythical creatures of Southeast Asia in this collection of seventeen stories.

Book Synopsis

A sweeping and magical story collection showcasing the mythical creatures of Southeast Asia, including work by two-time Newbery medalist Erin Entrada Kelly and National Book Award finalist Shing Yin Khor

A turtle the size of an island. A cricket that can possess you if swallowed. A giant who turns enemies to stone. The legends of Southeast Asia--or "the lands below the winds," as explorers used to call it--are populated with a whole menagerie of colorful beasts that inspire awe and fear in equal measure.

Yet, passed on as they are through story and song, so many of these stories remain rooted in some long-forgotten past and bound by the borders of the region, creatures of myth and memory and nothing more. Until now.

Welcome to The Beasts Beneath the Winds, a collection of Southeast Asia's most elusive cryptids by a team of bestselling and award-winning authors. Within these gorgeously illustrated pages, readers will find the stories of seventeen regular kids who encounter these mythical creatures in the here and now, and--fortunately or unfortunately--live to tell the tale.

Contributors include Hanna Alkaf (The Weight of Our Sky, Queen of the Tiles), Nadia Mikail (The Cats We Meet Along The Way), Brandon Hoàng (Gloria Buenrostro Is Not My Girlfriend), Mandy Moe Pwint Tu (Monsoon Daughter), Moniza Hossain (Being Ace), V.T. Bidania (Astrid & Apollo and the Happy New Year), Emma Goddard, Dow Phumiruk (One Girl, Maya Lin), Erin Entrada Kelly (Hello Universe, We Dream of Space, The First State of Being), Gail D. Villanueva (My Fate According to Butterfly, Sugar and Spite), Greg van Eekhout (The Boy at the End of the World, COG), Jesse Q. Sutanto (Dial A for Aunties), June CL Tan (Jade Fire Gold), Mae Respicio (The House that Lou Built, Any Day With You), Shing Yin Khor (The Legend of Auntie Po), Van Hoang (Girl Giant & The Monkey King), Veeda Bybee (Courage on Ice, Lily and the Great Quake).

Review Quotes

"[R]eaders will find this a compelling collection that offers fantastical creatures and hopeful, heroic kids."

--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A heartfelt, atmospheric collection that celebrates Southeast Asian voices and traditions, this anthology explores themes of courage, identity, and belonging, and is perfect for readers who love mythology, monsters, and discovering new stories from around the world."

--Booklist

"While the stories have a magical element to them, they are grounded in realistic settings with relatable themes, such as identity, fitting in, family, and friendship. Filled with adventure and heart, this book will make a great addition to middle grade collections"

--School Library Journal

"These fast-paced, engaging vignettes stand out for the personal growth they inspire...appealing, frequently humorous illustrations...A fresh, appealing collection with evergreen appeal."--Kikrus Reviews

"This assemblage of brief tales makes for a fun, informative, and thoughtful introduction to creatures--and cultures--from Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and more."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Hanna Alkaf is a critically acclaimed author of books for kids and teens. She writes unapologetically Malaysian YA and MG novels, including The Weight of Our Sky, The Girl & The Ghost, Queen of the Tiles, and a short story in Once Upon an Eid. Alkaf graduated with a degree in journalism from Northwestern University, and is a Freeman Award winner and a Kirkus Prize finalist. She lives in Kuala Lumpur with her family.