Monsterology: The Complete Book of Monstrous Creatures by Ernest Drake, Dugald A. Steer (Editor), Various (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

A second major volume by the esteemed Dr. Drake — a lavish exploration of fantastical beasts, from yetis to unicorns

Do krakens really lurk below the ocean waves? Do griffins command the air above? In a fascinating new discovery sure to rival the ground-breaking DRAGONOLOGY, the intrepid Dr. Ernest Drake turns his inquisitive gaze from dragons to other so-called mythical creatures. Included are:

* a removable letter from Dr. Drake
* multiple foldouts, flaps, and pull-outs
* textured "samples," including sea serpent skin and a feather from a winged horse
* sundry booklets — including riddles to tell a sphinx
* a cabinet of curiosities containing yeti fur, a hippogriff feather, and more

For anyone who has ever wondered whether legendary beasts still wander among us, this lush look at an astounding array of creatures offers everything a true believer would want to know.

Children's Literature

Chapter I of this book with a sparkling green cover introduces, with tongue in cheek, the facts and fancies of historical monsters, discusses their evolution and provides a full-color map of the world marked as to where monsters might be found. The book pretends to be written by a Dr. Ernest Drake, a noted monsterologist of the early 19th century. Chapters II. III, IV and V cover beasts of the earth, water and air, in that order, followed by semi-human beasts such as the cyclops, centaur, merfolk and sphinx. Appendix I and II, in high camp, explain the importance of record keeping and the necessary equipment for study such as a pencil, a spade and an assortment of nets. Helpful spells and charms are provided as well as songs, calls and whistles. Conservation and collecting are the hallmarks of an outstanding monsterologist and the names and careers of several outstanding experts are noted. The book ends with the reader facing what appears to be a carved wooden door that opens to reveal a cabinet of specimens—a prehistoric phoenix trapped in amber, a piece of yeti fur and such things. A space is available for the reader's own discovery. Reviewer: Eleanor Heldrich

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6

A big, colorful entry in the series that introduced readers to Dragonology (2003), Pirateology (2006), and Wizardology (2005, all Candlewick), this latest mock-nonfiction title explores such legendary beasts as kelpies, griffins, bunyips, and krakens. The smattering of "facts" revealed about these storied creatures, while based on Greek myths and the legends of other cultures, are generously fictionalized. The attractive illustrations, both color and monochrome, are done by several hands in 19th-century styles and provide a lot of detail for readers to get lost in. Although the book is not exactly circulation-friendly-it includes several faux documents that can be removed from the book-it should be a big hit among fantasy fans as a browsing item.-Walter Minkel, Austin Public Library, TX

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