**Title:** *Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You*
* **Authors/Creators:** Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
* **Publisher:** Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
* **ISBN-10:** 0-689-85943-4
* **ISBN-13:** 978-0689859439
* **German Title:** *Arthur Spiderwicks Handbuch für die fantastische Welt um dich herum*

### **Concept and Premise**

This is not a traditional storybook like the other books in *The Spiderwick Chronicles*. Instead, it is presented as the **actual field guide** that the Grace children discover in the attic. The book is the life's work of their great-great-uncle, Arthur Spiderwick, a naturalist who dedicated his life to studying and documenting the hidden world of faeries and other magical creatures.

The entire book is designed to look and feel like a well-worn, century-old scrapbook or scientific journal, filled with Arthur's detailed observations, sketches, and warnings.

### **Content and Features**

The *Field Guide* is a beautifully illustrated encyclopedia of the faerie world. Inside, you will find:

* **Detailed Creature Profiles:** The book is divided into sections covering dozens of fantastical creatures. Each entry includes:
* **Magnificent Illustrations:** Tony DiTerlizzi's stunning, full-color watercolor paintings and detailed pencil sketches bring each creature to life. The art style is a blend of naturalistic detail and whimsical fantasy.
* **Habitat and Diet:** Information on where these creatures live, what they eat, and how they behave in their natural environment.
* **Strengths and Weaknesses:** Arthur provides crucial tips on the creatures' abilities, vulnerabilities, and how to protect oneself from the more dangerous ones.
* **Handwritten Notes:** The pages are filled with what appears to be Arthur Spiderwick's own handwritten annotations, personal stories, and urgent warnings, adding to the book's authenticity.

* **Featured Creatures:** You will learn about a wide variety of beings, both benevolent and malevolent, including:
* **Goblins and their Hobs**
* **Brownies and Boggarts**
* **Sprites (Flower Sprites, Water Sprites, etc.)**
* **Trolls (Bridge Trolls, Stone Trolls)**
* **Elves**
* **Dwarves**
* **Griffins**
* **Phoenixes**
* **Unicorns**
* ...and many more.

### **Why It's Special**

* **Immersive Experience:** The book's greatest strength is its immersive quality. It makes the reader feel as if they have stumbled upon a real, secret guide to a hidden world. It's a perfect example of world-building.
* **Connection to the Main Series:** For fans of *The Spiderwick Chronicles*, this guide is an essential companion. It provides the context and information that Jared, Simon, and Mallory use to navigate their adventures. It's the very object that drives the plot of the entire series.
* **A Work of Art:** Even for those unfamiliar with the series, the book stands on its own as a stunning collection of fantasy art. Tony DiTerlizzi's illustrations are the main attraction, making it a beloved book for aspiring artists and fantasy lovers of all ages.

In summary, **Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide** is a magical and beautifully crafted book that serves as both a crucial piece of the Spiderwick universe and a fantastic standalone encyclopedia of the faerie world. It's an invitation to believe that a secret, magical world exists just beyond our sigh