Creatures of Hobbit: The Ring rules!

On Dec. 19, the Ring is the thing when Tolkien's fantasy classic The Fellowship of the Ring arrives on the big screen. Director Peter Jackson and his dedicated crew re-created Middle-earth by deploying an army of artists, digital wizards, medieval experts, stone sculptors, costumers, make-up designers and actors.

The inheritor of the ring with its awesome power and corrupting influence is shy, young hobbit Frodo Baggins, portrayed by handsome hottie Elijah Wood. Also starring in the film are Cate Blanchett and Sir Ian McKellan.

REVIEWS BY KAREN TROTTER ELLEY

In anticipation of the film's release, all things Tolkien are selling like magic wands at a wizard's convention. Publisher Houghton Mifflin has two new film guide books. One is The Fellowship of the Ring Visual Companion, a collectible reference to the characters, cultures, settings and locations that offers a stunning intro to the movie. The second book is The Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide which provides access to behind-the-scenes material, as well as lavish production stills and biographies of the stars and filmmakers.


If you can't get enough of that wonderful fantasy stuff, try After the King: Stories in Honor of J.R.R. Tolkien. Edited by Martin H. Greenburg, the collection contains stories by authors who write the kinds of fantasy that Tolkien himself might have looked favorably on and enjoyed.


Discover the depth and beauty of Tolkien's work through the eyes of others. In praise of the master mythmaker, 16 top fantasy authors share their thoughts and feelings about Tolkien's influence on their writing in Meditations on Middle-earth. Edited by Karen Haber with illustrations by John Howe, Meditations offers essays and candid comments.


Or take a behind-the-scenes look at the work of two Tolkien fantasy artists in Greg and Tim Hildebrandt: The Tolkien Years. The twin Hildebrandt brothers created the art for the million-selling Lord of the Rings Calendars. A treasure trove of Tolkien art, The Tolkien Years tells their story through the eyes of Gregory Hildebrandt's son, Greg Jr., who posed for various Hobbit characters as a child. He shares reminiscences about the incredible creative ingenuity of his father and uncle. All of the paintings from the calendars are included along with preliminary photographs and original rough sketches plus a pull-out poster of a painting created especially for the book.

It's Frodo-realism to the max!


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