The Chosen One
Joy H Davidson
DHD Publishing, $27.00,
ISBN 9780473448301
Harsu and the Werestoat
Barbara Else
Gecko Press, $35.00,
ISBN 9781776572199
The World of Greek Mythology
Ben Spies
Spies Publishing, $20.00,
ISBN 9780473455866
Fantasy has always mattered to me. I first sensed this around the same time I realised I was completely ill-adapted to my 1990s New Zealand childhood. I was a fat kid, a nervous perfectionist who was frightened of rugby and wanted to wear dresses. Most days, it felt like the sky was going to fall on my head. Luckily, I knew a few adults who were sensitive enough to notice my constant unease, and thoughtful enough to feed me stories. Those books were a magic door at the back of my wardrobe, the escape-hatch every lonely kid needs.