Reviews: (by author)

Steer, Dugald. Dr. Ernest Drake's Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons. Cambridge: Candlewick, 2003. $18.99. ISBN 0-7636-2329-6.

This is more than one expects from a book—it's a total experience, a lovingly-made family album of dragons complete with species illustration and exposition, flaps, maps, insets, life spans (Chinese dragons live the longest, no doubt because they're at the top of the Asian mythical creatures food chain, unlike our maligned Western dragons), sealed envelopes for the fortunate recipient to open and messages to read, advertisements, and fascinating, shiny patches of dragon scales to touch. This is a study of dragons, a course; it's for older readers—say at least eight, who can read by themselves and who will spend many afternoons and evenings engrossed in gorgeous art and sophisticated language of Dugald Steer's book. I wouldn't hesitate to give it to adolescents, Tolkien fans, computer game players, lovers of fantasy and folklore of any age. It makes a very fine book, one to be put on one's pile of literary gold and hoarded…or better, shared and relished.

Highly recommended
A. Allison 12/03

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