Early Book Review: Cryptids, Creatures & Critters: A Manual of Monsters & Mythos from Around the World by Rachel Quinney

Cryptids, Creatures & Critters: A Manual of Monsters & Mythos from Around the World by Rachel Quinney is currently scheduled for release on June 18 2024. While written by Rachel Quinney and mainly illustrated by her, there are twelve guest artists featured within the book, too.

Cryptids, Creatures & Critters features 90 different creatures from around the world, each with their own researched description and full-color illustrations. The book is divided into three sections: cryptids, folklore, and mythology. It features popular cryptid favorites, such as Mothman and the Flatwoods Monster, and some lesser-known cryptids, such as the Enfield Horror and the Montauk Monster. For folklore, there are kelpies, selkies, cat sidhes, and grimalkins, along with the dobarchu and the vampiric pumpkin! In mythology, you'll find Medusa, sphinx, Pegasus, and the bukavac!

Cryptids, Creatures & Critters is a book that offers readers snapshots of different creatures from a variety of origins and cultures. I thought the organization of the book was well done- and I appreciated the authors attempt to root out, and call out, the ways things like racism, colonialism, and imperialism might have changed the perceptions of the featured creatures. I also liked the efforts to cross reference the entries that heavily relate to other entries and  also giving readers a warning when an entry might hold content that might be disturbing or triggering. I appreciated the awareness. Best of all, even with all of this, there is a sense of humor and fun throughout the book as well.

I found both the text and illustrations to be charming. Most of the information on the creature I knew about matched up with what I already knew, with some additional background on the legends that I never knew before. I also liked seeing some creatures covered (like the cactus cat) that I had never heard of. I thought the book was thoroughly, and conscientiously researched. It is written with respect and humor and I think a wide range of readers will enjoy it. 

Early Book Review: A Natural History of Magical Beasts by Emily Hawkins, Jessica Roux

A Natural History of Magical Beasts, written by Emily Hawkins and illustrated by Jessica Roux, is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2023. Tales of magical creatures have been told across the world for generations, but are these stories merely flights of fancy, or is there any truth to the legends of unicorns and dragons, centaurs and griffins? Presented as the notebook of a 1920s zoologist, this book sets out to answer this question, revealing the hidden world of the magical beasts that live among us. Within these pages you will meet bizarre and beautiful creatures from around the globe, discovering their habits, habitats and the legends surrounding them. Learn about the anatomy of a unicorn, the life cycle of a phoenix, incredible dragon courtship dances and much more in this ultimate guide to magical creatures.

A Natural History of Magical Beasts is a whimsical look at the mythical creatures of the world, framed in a way that just might leave readers thinking about what might really be lurking in the forest or down by the stream. I like that the book is divided by geographical region, and included a number of creatures I had heard of, and some I had not. As someone that has read a great deal of fantasy and related things over the years new creatures to discover always make me happy. I liked the balance of text and illustrations, they keep the readers focus and interest high on the book. I really enjoyed that the book seemed to emphasize the legends of indigenous people in each of the regions, and referred to similar creatures in other areas that were included in the text. I also like that there is a sense of humor to the book, threaded through some of the 'first hand accounts' and mentions of the importance of respect and preserving nature and habitats. 

A Natural History of Magical Beasts is a well balanced and enjoyable read, and I think it will be a fast favorite for many.

Early Book Review: The Genius Kid's Guide to Mythical Creatures by Sara Novak

The Genius Kid's Guide to Mythical Creatures by Sara Novak is currently scheduled for release on May 2 2023. From beautiful mermaids and gentle unicorns to fire-breathing dragons and bloodthirsty vampires, mysterious beings and magical beasts appear in stories told all around the world. The Genius Kid’s Guide to Mythical Creatures highlights 20 of these legendary beings, detailing each creature’s appearance and behavior, as well as where and how legends about it began. The text also explores how the stories have changed and developed over time. Readers learn everything they need to know about their favorite myths and monsters, as well as plenty of fun trivia to impress their friends.

The Genius Kid's Guide to Mythical Creatures offers readers some basic information about cryptids and creatures of legend. The information was all in line with what I have read and seen elsewhere- so I think readers that have already done some reading on the subject will not find much that is new to them, but those that have not broached the topic yet will get a good foundation on the creatures covered. I was more than a little disappointed that most, if not all, of the images were from shutterstock. I would have liked to see more effort put into that aspect of the book.  I did appreciate the endmatter, the glossary and resource list at the end were a nice addition to the book. Although, I was expecting some kind of quiz in here somewhere, but perhaps they were in the sections of the galley that had some formatting issues, which I fully expect to be fixed prior to the publication. 

Book Review: The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories by Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, Alina Pete

The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories by Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, and Alina Pete is a graphic novel and the fifth volume of the “Cautionary Fables and Fairytales” anthology series. I have not seen the previous volumes, but I will be on the lookout for them.  Loup Garrou, trickster rabbits, and spirits with names that can’t be spoken — the plains and forests of North America are alive with characters like these, all waiting to meet you in this collection of folklore from tribes spanning the continent retold in comics.

The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories is a lovely collection of stories. I thought the artwork was a great pairing with the stories and did a wonderful job of telling the stories. I had heard or read a few legends that touched on the same ideas, but I had never seen these exact tales before, which always makes me happy. I thought that there was much respect and honor tied into the stories, which is not always the case in folklore or legend collections. I thought the variety of tales, and the skill they were told with were fantastic. My only complaint is that I wanted more, which I can partially solve by finding the other volumes of this series. 

Audiobook Review: A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts by Leanna Renee Hieber; Andrea Janes, Narrated by Linda Jones

A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts was written by Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes, and the audiobook is narrated by Linda Jones. From the notorious Lizzie Borden to the innumerable, haunted rooms of Sarah Winchester's mysterious mansion, this book explores the history behind America’s female ghosts, the stereotypes, myths, and paranormal tales that swirl around them, what their stories reveal about us—and why they haunt us. Sorrowful widows, vengeful jezebels, innocent maidens, wronged lovers, former slaves, even the occasional axe-murderess—America’s female ghosts differ widely in background, class, and circumstance. Yet one thing unites them: their ability to instill fascination and fear, long after their deaths. Here are the full stories behind some of the best-known among them, as well as the lesser-known—though no less powerful. Tales whispered in darkness often divulge more about the teller than the subject. America’s most famous female ghosts, from from ‘Mrs. Spencer’ who haunted Joan Rivers’ New York apartment to Bridget Bishop, the first person executed during the Salem witchcraft trials, mirror each era’s fears and prejudices. Yet through urban legends and campfire stories, even ghosts like the nameless hard-working women lost in the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire —achieve a measure of power and agency in death, in ways unavailable to them as living women.

 A Haunted History of Invisible Women offers a readers a variety of ghostly legends, including the research into the people and places involved, all through the lens of feminism. The social constructs, expectations, and realities of life as a woman have colored even the most factual hauntings, and this book dives into how this has shaped specific stories, and how our perception and interest in the stories has been shaped as well. I love a good ghost story, and more than that I love looking into the historical research of what really happened, particularly what we do know and what is lost in time and legend because of record keeping and unsolved crimes. I like that this book focused on the history, lives, and treatment of the women that these ghostly legends are based on, and the spiritualists and women that are drawn to the subject matter. While every time I hear ghost stories I think about what can be proven, what can be debunked, and the real lives of the people at the heart of the story, I think this book made me even more conscious of how our societal expectations and stereotypes shape  the stories and how we think about them. I think this book offers exactly what it promises and while I was well acquainted with many of these tales, it offered me bits of history and some new perspectives to consider with other stories I already know, or might hear about in the future. 

Audiobook Review: Nomads: The Wanderers Who Shaped Our World by Anthony Sattin

Nomads: The Wanderers Who Shaped Our World, written and narrated by Anthony Sattin, is an adult nonfiction book. It explores the transformative and often bloody relationship between settled and mobile societies. The story of the shifting, umbilical connections between these two very different ways of living presents a radical new view of human civilization. From the Neolithic revolution to the twenty-first century via some of the lesser-known Eurasian steppe cultures, the great nomad empires of the Persians, Arabs, Mongols, and Mughals, as well as the mobile native North American peoples, nomads have been a perpetual counterbalance to the power of the settled and their cities. Exploring evolutionary biology and the psychology of restlessness that makes us human, Anthony Sattin's sweeping history charts the power of nomadism from before the Bible to its decline in the present day. Connecting us to mythology and the records of antiquity, Nomads explains why we leave home, and why we like to return again. This is the groundbreaking history of civilization as told through its outsiders.

Nomads is a fascinating read (or listen) and I think the author's enthusiasm for the subject is clear in print or audiobook format. I have always been firm in the belief that history is written by the colonizers rather that giving us a full view of our past, and Sattin explores one aspect of our missing history. I like that he included the way people have looked and and interpreted tales that started as oral tradition, and how the views of mobile versus settled people has evolved and changed just as much as people themselves have. I did feel like certain groups of nomadic people were not included in the book as more than a quick mention, and I have to admit that there were several moments that I completely lost track of where the book was in the timeline and thought we were covering certain periods of time more than once- but I was also listening while driving so very well could have missed something here or there. However, I did feel like I learned a great deal on the subject, and Sattin's interest in the subject mater and his adventures was a bit contagious and I became more and more interested in the topic as I listened to the book. 

Book Review: The Fantasy of the Middle Ages: An Epic Journey through Imaginary Medieval Worlds by Larisa Grollemond; Bryan C. Keene

The Fantasy of the Middle Ages: An Epic Journey through Imaginary Medieval Worlds by Larisa Grollemond; Bryan C. Keene is an exploration of the impact of medieval imagery on three hundred years of visual culture. From the soaring castles of Sleeping Beauty to the bloody battles of Game of Thrones, from Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings to mythical beasts in Dungeons & Dragons, and from Medieval Times to the Renaissance Faire, the Middle Ages have inspired artists, playwrights, filmmakers, gamers, and writers for centuries. Indeed, no other historical era has captured the imaginations of so many creators. This volume aims to uncover the many reasons why the Middle Ages have proven so flexible—and applicable—to a variety of modern moments from the eighteenth through the twenty-first century. These “medieval” worlds are often the perfect ground for exploring contemporary cultural concerns and anxieties, saying much more about the time and place in which they were created than they do about the actual conditions of the medieval period. 

The Fantasy of the Middle Ages: An Epic Journey through Imaginary Medieval Worlds is a well written and researched exploration on the subject matter. I thought the book can appeal to those with a background in medieval studies or literature and those with little advanced knowledge as well. Since I studied Medieval literature in college and am an avid fan of fantasy, this book was a perfect combination of my interests.  I really enjoyed getting to look at the artwork along side the text, the combination made this book equally interesting intellectually and visually.  I wish I had the time and energy to get to the The Getty Museum to see the exhibit this book is a companion for, but if you are lucky enough to be able to attend I think it is worth the time. 

I think The Fantasy of the Middle Ages would make a great addition to the library of anyone interested in the subject matter, and it would be a great addition to public library collections as well. 

Early Book Review: Catalog of the Unexplained: From Aliens & Aromatherapy to Zen & Zener Cards by Leanna Greenaway; Beleta Greenaway

Catalog of the Unexplained: From Aliens & Aromatherapy to Zen & Zener Cards by Leanna Greenaway; Beleta Greenaway is scheduled for release on January 8 2021. Explore the mesmerizing depths of the esoteric and unexplainable with this outstanding A to Z reference guide. This book offers entries on 450 topics, from angels and herbalism to tarot and vampires. Magical practitioners, holistic healers, ghost hunters, spiritual seekers, and trivia fans alike will marvel at the knowledge this book contains. Authors Leanna and Beleta Greenaway provide brief and in-depth entries on: Acupuncture, Animal Totems, Astral Projection, Candles, Color Therapy, Curses, Dreams, Dowsing, ESP, Exorcism, Fairies, Feng Shui, Fortune-Telling, Hypnosis, I Ching, Kundalini, Lucid Dreaming, Numerology, Palm Reading, Psychic Development, Reiki, Spellcasting, UFOs, Voodoo, Witchcraft, and Yoga.

Catalog of the Unexplained is exactly what the title promises. It is a book that offers explanations and information about a wide range of terms. It covers things associated with a variety of cultures, religions, and enthusiasts. I liked that when different groups of people had different views or feelings about a term they were all explained and compared- but there was never any judgement about if any were right or more valid then others. Everything was covered in clear, understandable language with no noticeable prejudice or judgement about the term or those that do, or do not, believe that they are more than tradition, myth, or much more. I found the text to be very well and clearly written, and the subject matter objectively examined and explained. I learned some new things, and found out some new perspectives on subjects I thought I already knew from other books, legends, and mythology. I think this would be a good resource for readers, writers, and all curious individuals that want a better understanding of a wide range of terms. Sources are even listed in a bibliography in the end pages, so if you want to explore certain subjects more there are reputable places to start. 

Early Book Review: The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures by Stephen Krensky, Pham Quang Phuc

 The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures was written by Stephen Krensky and illustrated by Pham Quang Phuc. It is currently scheduled for release on October 13 2020. In this book readers will meet a cast of mind-boggling fictional animals from all around the world. Say hello to Bigfoot in the forests of North America and learn about the Native American traditions that inspired its story. Voyage to Japan to meet kitsune, supernatural nine-tailed foxes that can turn into humans. And jump onboard an ancient storm-battered ship to learn why mermaids were the last thing a sailor wanted to see. Learn about the societies that spawned these legendary creatures, from Ancient Greece to the indigenous tribes of Australia, and find out what the beasts tell us about the people who created them. From narwhal tusks inspiring the legend of unicorns, to dinosaur bones creating rumors of dragons, there is an interesting story behind every magical beast. 

The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures is a decent introduction to a wide variety of creatures of myth, religion, and folklore from around the world. I liked that a wide variety of regions and cultures are included, and think the organization of the creatures is well done. The illustrations are bold and eye catching. They do a great job of illustrating the creatures and habitat in question, and keep the interest of readers. I also liked the information on the legends surrounding common animals, the A-Z listing with short summaries of the creatures included, and the glossary included at the back of the book. I did this some of the information on the listed creatures in their large spreads did a good job of showing how some stories are told around the world, with slight variation due to culture, climate, and other factors. However, some bits were a little too simplistic, varied from what I have previously read on the subject, or left of bits that I always found the most interesting. Since mythology and folklore are among my favorite reading subjects, so newcomers and the children most likely to pick this up might not have have the same reactions. It could also be that I have read so many retellings and variations on some of these stories that I could be holding onto favorite bits from more current takes on the subjects than the author and research done here would have considered.  

Book Review: Celtic Mythology for Kids: Tales of Selkies, Giants, and the Sea by Chris Pinard

Celtic Mythology for Kids: Tales of Selkies, Giants, and the Sea by Chris Pinard features twenty famous and lesser-known myths from places like Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and Brittany, this is your introduction to a faraway world of wonder. Colorful illustrations begin every myth. There is a glossary of Celtic mythology terms to better understand words like banshee, brownie, and selkie.

Celtic Mythology for Kids is not an introduction to Celtic mythology, which is what I was hoping for from the title. It is a selection of stories from the region, with questions at the end of each story, basically asking about the moral of the story. I know that fairy tales and oral tradition often are morality tales, or at least started that way, but I was rather hoping for more information about the creatures unique to the Celtic mythos than stories and questions that seem pointed at making readers behave. I wanted to learn more about a mythology and was disappointed with what I found.

Early Book Review: Stars Before Bedtime: A Mindful Fall-Asleep Book by Jessamy Hibberd; Claire Grace

Stars Before Bedtime: A Mindful Fall-Asleep Book, written by Jessamy Hibberd and Claire Grace and illustrated by Hannah Tolson, is currently scheduled for release on March 3 2020. In this fast-paced world, relaxing and preparing for sleep can be difficult for children. This fact-filled book helps ease bedtime struggles with mindfulness, muscle relaxation, gentle yoga poses, visualization, and other exercises proven to help kids release stress and anxiety, clear their minds, get ready for bed, and fall asleep faster. With gentle, calming artwork and simple, melodic text, children explore the sky’s constellations and the mythical stories behind them as they get their minds and bodies ready for bed. Each exercise, called out by a moon symbol, is simple and easy to do. The pages are self-contained so you can start anywhere and complete as many, or as few, exercises as you like. Tips on mindfulness and extra resources for parents are included at the back of the book. Stargazers of all ages will love this journey through constellations.

Stars Before Bedtime: A Mindful Fall-Asleep Book is a interesting book, and a good tool for caregivers that are trying to encourage mindfulness at bedtime. I like that the pages include information about astronomy, particularly constellation, offering up facts and legends about the stars alongside yoga poses, breathing exercises, and other relaxation techniques. The illustrations were soothing, in calming blues and indistinct details. I did like that each page could be read independently, so a family could concentrate on one page, one exercise, a night or more. I also like the information at the back of the book for the adults. I think the book offers up exactly what it promises, and will please those that are looking for it. 

Early Book Review: Dark Hedges, Wizard Island, and Other Magical Places That Really Exist by L Rader Crandall

Dark Hedges, Wizard Island, and Other Magical Places That Really Exist by L Rader Crandall is currently scheduled for release on March 3 2020. From a lost city in the desert to a cave alight with thousands of glowworms, learn about some of the most unusual places on earth and the myths, legends, and history behind each of them! Looking at places like The Skeleton Coast in Namibia, Wizard Island in the United States, and The Fairy Tale Route in Germany, This book takes young readers on a journey around the world to real places that sound straight out of fantasy. Featuring both natural and man-made wonders, this travel book combines history and storytelling to explore the far reaches of the earth.

Dark Hedges, Wizard Island, and Other Magical Places That Really Exist takes stories from history and legends and connects them to the places they are about. The history of castles, sieges, and wizard origins are shared with the information about the location you can visit that is tied into these stories. Some of these stories I had heard before, but many were new to me. I thought the tone was conversational and matter of fact, making the text accessible and enjoyable to readers. I liked that the locations were from all around the world, and no culture or group of people were set apart as bad or other- which often happens in historic or legend based text. The photography was stunning, and I adored the detailed bibliography- citing sources and encouraging further reading in the process always makes me happy even if I know a good number of readers are likely to ignore this section. 

Early Book Review: Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark Illustrated by Ulla Thynell

Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark is a collection of 17 traditional tales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark. Translated and transcribed by folklorists in the nineteenth century, these stories are by turns enchanting, hilarious, cozy, and chilling. Readers will encounter terrifying trolls, plucky heroes and heroines, and one princely polar bear. Each tale is paired with a luminous illustration by Finnish artist Ulla Thynell. And this special gift edition features an embossed, textured case and a ribbon marker. It is currently scheduled for release on August 13 2019.

Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark is divided into three groups of tales:  transformations, wit, and journeys. While I had seen some of the sixteen stories before, and others had fairy tale tropes that were familiar, some were new to me. Like with most collections of short tales like this there is not much depth to individual characters or relationships, things are just the way they are to get to the point of the story. That is the way these classic tales were told and shared over the years, and adding that sort of depth would take each individual tale into novel proportions (which would not be a bad thing, but is not the intent of this kind of collection). Some of the stories are darker than others, but I really enjoyed learning more of the folk and fairy tales from this part of the world. I liked the illustrations by Thynell and found them to be lovely, adding beauty and a nostalgic charm to the individual stories and the book as a whole. I think the artwork is worth looking at a few times; before, during, and after the read.

Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark is a nice collection of tales, and I enjoyed reading some that I had never seen or heard before.

Book Review: Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan Mcguire

Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan Mcguire is the first book in a new series, set in the same world as the Incryptid series but with new characters and dealing with the more ghostly residents. 

Rose Marshall died in 1952 in Buckley Township, Michigan, run off the road by a man named Bobby Cross—a man who had sold his soul to live forever, and intended to use her death to pay the price of his immortality. Trouble was, he didn’t ask Rose what she thought of the idea. It’s been more than sixty years since that night, and she’s still sixteen, and she’s still running. They have names for her all over the country: the Girl in the Diner. The Phantom Prom Date. The Girl in the Green Silk Gown. Mostly she just goes by “Rose,” a hitchhiking ghost girl with her thumb out and her eyes fixed on the horizon, trying to outrace a man who never sleeps, never stops, and never gives up on the idea of claiming what’s his. She’s the angel of the overpass, she’s the darling of the truck stops, and she’s going to figure out a way to win her freedom. After all, it’s not like it can kill her. You can’t kill what’s already dead.

Sparrow Hill Road was not what I expected, but in the very best ways. I was expecting something very much like the books I have already read from Mcguire, and while the skill and style were definitely on par the characters and legends felt fresh and new. Rose is a small town girl, turned ghost, dealing with her new 'life' as a hitchhiking ghost and her new obligations. I enjoyed getting to know Rose. While she honestly wants to help and do the right thing, she is not perfect. She has a temper, sometimes makes mistakes, and is sometimes too soft a touch. All of these traits come together to make her a wonderfully real character. The use of urban legends and well known ghost stories was wonderfully done, I have always been fascinated on how legends both ancient and more modern change and grow, so this was right up my alley. The action is paced well, giving nail biting moments interspersed with backstory and important character development. The secondary characters are not flat, while not quite as developed as Rose they are well layers and complex. Even the characters we only see for one interaction are not stereotypes or simple, they feel real and dynamic. Mcguire is wonderful at making characters that I feel like I know, and whose stories I just want more of after the book is over.

Sparrow Hill Road starts what i hope is another long and highly entertain series from Mcguire. In fact, I already have the next book, The Girl in the Green Silk Gown waiting for me on my kindle and I am looking forward to the read.

As a side note- if you prefer audio books I highly recommend giving this book a listen as well as her other books. I have listened to several books from her other series and while she does have a couple different narrators they are all wonderful. 

Book Review: Siuluk: The Last Tuniq by Nadia Sammurtok, Rob Nix

Siuluk: The Last Tuniq is a picturebook based on on traditional stories from the Chesterfield Inlet area of the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, this tale of Siuluk and his legendary strength will captivate young readers.. It was written by Nadia Sammurtok and illustrated by Rob Nix. Siuluk is a very strong man. He’s so strong that people tell him he must be the last of the Tuniit, friendly giants who once lived in the North. Just like those giants, Siuluk is so strong that he can carry an entire walrus over his shoulder. But not everyone believes that Siuluk is strong. One day, when a group of men tease Siuluk about his size, he has to find a way to prove his strength once and for all—but how? 

Siuluk: The Last Tuniq is a beautifully illustrated tale, and I was glad to learn a story that I had not heard or read previously. I am a big fan of learning about different people, places, and cultures. This story is one that should be relateable to readers of all cultures and ages. I think everyone has felt lonely, outcast, or different. Siuluk is especially so since people either respect him or mock and doubt him because of the stories told about him. I like the additional information about the legend included, but I would have liked more information about the area and culture. I was intrigued enough to go off an do some of my own research, which will hopefully be the case for other readers as well. I think even beyond the legends, I love that the empathy and acceptance of other people, those that are different, is the underlying theme of the story. I think we all need those muscles stretched and strong because there are way too many cases of people not being able to use them.

Book Review: Creature Files Dragons: Encounter 20 Mythical Monsters by L J Tracosas

Creature Files Dragons: Encounter 20 Mythical Monsters by L J Tracosas is a children's book that blends fact and fiction. Do you believe dragons are simply the scaly stuff of myths? Or do you think they really existed? Whatever side you're on, this collection of twenty fascinating creatures is sure to spark your imagination.  In Creature Files: Dragons, you’ll take a tour through the world of fire-breathing, gold-hoarding, three-headed monsters and discover where and how these magical creatures came to be. Learn the unique folklore of cultures around the globe, from China to Russia to Eastern Africa, and see how people envisioned these otherworldly beasts through lush and evocative illustrations. Included are many meaty facts to gnaw on—like which dragon had too many teeth to count, and which dragon had teeth as big as a man’s arm—along with a realistic dragon-tooth necklace! And science lovers will also find something to sink their teeth into: facts about real-life dragons that exist today. These dragons may not breathe fire, but they share some of the same traits as their mythical brethren.

Creature Files Dragons: Encounter 20 Mythical Monsters is a nice exploration of how myths about creatures share certain traits across the world, but also differ in some ways. Dragon lore, and other legends, has always been one of my favorite topics.. I like that pronunciation is included for the different types of dragons from around the world, and the roles that dinosaur fossils played in the legends. I enjoyed the illustrations, especially how they detailed the features of the different dragon legends. I was very interested to see how the heads of some resembled well know animals- snakes, warthogs, fish, birds, and so on. I also liked that maps showing where the countries of origin for each type of dragon legend is included on the page with the information. I also like the inclusion of some creatures that I never considered to be part of dragon lore, but share similar features and traits- such as the hydra and cockatrice. I always considered them their own kind of creature, rather than part of a larger classification, but the little bit of lore given does explain these inclusions. My only two complains are that the font chosen for some of the text makes it hard to read, particularly in digital file, and that there are many different creatures included, the information offered about each is minimal, although well worded and interesting. 

Creature Files Dragons is an attractive and interesting read for those interested in mythical creatures in general, and dragons in particular. It is far from comprehensive, but offers some good bits of legends, lore, and information. The artwork is very eye catching and well done, and I found myself studying the art much more intently that the text. I can think of many middle grade readers that will read, enjoy and likely re read this book- but at a fan of the topic I was hoping for a little bit more.