Dr. Ernest Drake's Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons

Rating:
Summary: Real or really great storytelling
Review: I purchased the book, 'Dragonology, The Complete Book of Dragons', not quite knowing what to expect. I received my book and wasted no time opening it.
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Dragonology. It's four pages with great illustrations, and a map of the world on p. 3 & 4, showing where you can find certain species of dragons. There is a classification of dragons by habitat.
Chapter 2: Different Species of Dragons. This is 6 pages. This chapter discusses western dragons; the European, the Knucker, the Frost. Also discussed are the eastern dragons; the Tibetan, the Lindworm, the Asian Lung. In this chapter are other types of dragons such as the Wyvern, the Ampithere, the Marsupial. All with little illustrations and characteristics such as lair or nest, their dimensions, coloration, and attack methods.
Now also in these pages are different "scale" samples of dragons so you can see and feel the different textures, illustrations of the different claw styles between the Japanese, Indonesian, Chinese/Imperial dragons.
Chapter 3: The Natural History of Dragons: Dragon Biology & Physiology. This chapter has 6 pages. This chapter has flaps with different illustrations on them so you can see the skin features, the muscle features and the bone features. Also there is a head description flap that lifts up to explain how fire erupts from the mouth.
This chapter has descriptions of the eyes, and how they are valuable. The claws, wings and scales are briefly discussed.
The 3 & 4 pages have the illustrations and flaps of the egg growth on them. It shows how the dragon grows and eventually cracks out of the egg, with a illustration of the difference of the male dragon as opposed to the female, ( I only noticed after looking at it at least 5 times, that the horns are different, and the tail).
The dragon lifecycle is shown on a graph, and the dragons nest is briefly described, feeding infants and such.
There is Dragon Behavior in Chapter 3. On these pages 5 & 6, it is discussed how dragons court, their "tame" behavior, their hoarding behavior (they like precious gemstones), and the dragon language (who knew they were intellectuals?). There is even the dragon alphabet so you can decipher dragon spells placed thru the book.
Chapter 4: Working with Dragons: Finding and Tracking Dragons. Chapter 4 consisting of 4 pages. This chapter, like it sounds tells you how to find dragons and their lairs. The necessary tools you will need in your field kit and the ever present dangers of work in the field.
Taming and Flying Dragons is also discussed taking up pages 3 & 4. This speaks of flying techniques with illustrations and there is also a book of riddles and puzzles, which dragons love. (Answers are included in this little book.)
There are 3 different appendixes, and an afterword.
Now for not knowing what to expect at first, this book is awesome for someone who would love to believe these dragons are real, but need more proof. (Even the inside cover speaks of this: the book is a copy from a book found from 1895, but with no real proof of its author, this book is beleived to just be a farse.) So I was left wanting more neddless to say. I wish it was longer with more pages of stories of dragon encounters, and more information on how to track and possibly befriend dragons. The illustrations and the whole package are great in the end. I recommend it for kids who are curious about everything.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST for kids who love Harry Potter!
Review: I purchased this over lunch at work, and even though it's a children's book, it was fun for even myself to read. There is not a single white page in this book; EVERYTHING is illustrated. This book is literally stuffed with watercolor / professional colored pencil illustrations, dragon lore drawn from history, mythology, and classical literature, secret codes, riddles, just all sorts of cool stuff. The cover is red pleather with a foil emboss of a dragon and a celtic design. There are even recipes for draconic "spells", and instructions on how to handle diplomatic dealings with them. Fun fun stuff, this book may not keep your kids captivated for hours, but it will have them coming back for another read over, and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Great Pictures, Great Story
Review: I saw this book in a bookstore, and I just had to have it. I was drawn more to the pictures and the cover design, than the text inside, but when I read it I was amazed. I actually believed it was real, as if I could go out and find myself a dragon. This book is really amazing and can be enjoyed by everyone, young and old. It doesn't matter how old you are to believe and believing in magical beasts is what makes us stay young. Its a fabulous book!!!

Rating:
Summary: Makes me want to become a Dragonologist!
Review: I spent this afternoon reading "Dragonology" with my six-and-a-half year old grandson! What a marvelous, mock-scientific, beautifully produced, funny book -- I just wish it had gone on FOREVER -- which is as long as the LUNG dragons live! It's one of the most compelling children's books I've seen in a long time, mixing fact (sort of) and fancy. Now I'm wondering about the other books that Candlewick Press has to offer.

Rating:
Summary: DRAGONOLOGY.....This book is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Review: I'm a 6th grade art teacher. A student brought the book for me to see, shortly after Christmas. I left it laying on the corner of my desk, and walked away. Looking back, I spotted 5 students gathered around it whispering quietly, (and my students don't whisper quietly).
And so it went, through the day....through the week...They were ENGROSSED!...puzzles, riddles, dragon runes...secret formulas....
Well, I have to say, I ordered one for my class, one for myself, and one for a friend, and my students are conspiring to get up a HUMONGOUS order for DRAGONOLOGY.
From age 7 to 170.....it's a great fantasy and art book.

Rating:
Summary: Want to be a Dragonologist? This is the Book for You!
Review: Magickal, Imagination, Fun, so many words to describe this awesome book.
Dragonology has so many surprises within, you have no idea what will be on the next page. So eye appealing. You find something you missed each time the book is opened.

My son LOVES this book. He memorized the "Dragon Script" and uses it when he is using the book, or writing secret codes.

From the front cover to the end of the book, you are transported back to the time Dr. Drake wrote his memoirs. So Magickal and Breathtaking.

It's hard to describe with words how awesome this book is, you must see if for yourself. You'll find yourself dreaming of the days of Dragons, Knights, and Treasures.

Rating:
Summary: Mom of 3
Review: My 4 year old has had this book for 6 months, and still loves to read it over and over. Our 2 year old loves to look at all of the pictures. There are many envelopes to open/illustrations to peek into, etc. It's a wonderful gift....that's why I'm back to buy another!

Rating:
Summary: Magical
Review: My 6 year old daughter - my whole family really - was charmed by this book. The illustrations are incredible, the text imaginative and all the extras (jewels, "skin", letters etc )intriguing.

It is out of character for my huband to make an impulse purchase for the kids, but in this case merited. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: My Children loved this book, but a little unbelievable for the older children. Highly recommended for ages 6 and younger.

Rating:
Summary: THIS book is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: My son fell in love with this book, it's so cool. The pictures, and the way the book is laid out. A must for any kid!!!!!!