The Discovery of Dragons

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Book Summary

A mock scientific book on the history of dragon discoveries, this is written in the form of letters from and commentary on various explorers, large paintings with plate descriptions, inset maps and size comparisons, and small comic-strip timelines.

Included are chapters on Bjorn of Bromme, a navigationally impaired Viking; Soong Mei Ying, a young Chinese girl who is more daring than she seems; Dr. E. F. Liebermann, a crackpot explorer in Africa; and Francisco de Nuevo, a runaway conquistador.

This "Eleventh Anniversary Edition" includes a new chapter on New World dragons, Introduction, Publisher's Notes, Afterword, and Afterafterword.

Is It Any Good?

This hilarious and gorgeously illustrated (from Graeme Base what else would you expect?) large-format book is written at a very high level, with sophisticated humor and references that will need to be explained to kids. But you'll be having so much fun that you won't mind a bit.

While the paintings of dragons are arresting (though the decision to have them extend an inch or two past the fold was a poor one) and the text witty, kids will especially enjoy perusing the comic strips at the bottom of each spread. The entire book, including flap copy, dedication, and Publisher's Notes, is one big goof, and will reward the time spent investigating every corner of this delightful volume. Don't be surprised if you enjoy it even more than your kids do.