Dragonology: Tracking and Taming Dragons: A Deluxe Book and Model Set

Dragonology: Tracking and Taming Dragons: A Deluxe Book and Model Set
Author: Dr. Ernest Drake
Editor: Dugald Steer
Publisher: Candlewick Press

The latest in the Dragonolgy series, Tracking and Taming Dragons has a wonderful little guide that has all you need to know about finding these magical creatures. The model is fun and easy to put together. My grandchildren and I had a blast doing it. The lovely green dragon with golden scales now hangs proudly in my bedroom so that when they come over it’s the first thing they see.

The accompanying handbook is wonderfully illustrated and as usual packed with interesting facts about dragons. We loved the section that showed how to make casts of dragon footprints. I’m sure it will prove very useful in our jaunts to the park. I had to promise to buy the stuff and I expect we’ll be spending some time making casts of the various neighborhood dog and cat paw prints this summer.


I think this set is very educational, whimsical and fun as well as a wonderful addition to the Ologies series.

The Wizardology Handbook

The Wizardology Handbook
Authors: Dugald Steer
Illustrator: Anne Yvonne Gilbert/Helen Ward /John Howe/Tomislav Tomic
Publisher: Candlewick Press
ISBN-10: 0763634018
ISBN-13: 978-0763634018

The Wizardology Handbook is a companion book to Wizardology and belongs to that wonderful series of Ology books by Candlewick Press. Like all the Ology books, it’s packed with information and illustrations. It even has a section in the back where young wizard apprentices can write their own spells and results as well as some colorful stickers.

The book is set up as a lesson book divided by the seasons. It includes lessons on Western Wizards, A Wizard’s Robes, Wizard Familiars and many more. The book also includes a glossary of magical terms.


I always am amazed by the quality of Candlewick’s books, especially the Ologies. There’s so much attention to detail, paper quality, the little embellishments that make turning the pages a joy. I’m as big a fan as are my grandkids and children. Each of my four children as the whole library of Ologies and unashamedly say they belong to them, not their children. The kids have their own copies. Wizardology in particular is a favorite of my middle son Phillip, a big strapping 24 year old with a brown belt in karate and he loved this companion book. I bought Egyptology for his daughter Isis when she was born (how could I not with a name like Isis?) and it is Phillip that reads it to her every night even long after she’s fast asleep.

I found the book to be completely fun and a perfect addition to the rest of the series. These books are so much fun for kids! A perfect gift for any child who loves fanciful things.

Candlewick to Launch Beginning Reader Series

Publisher's Weekly reports that Candlewick Press, that marvelous publishing house with the beautiful, arty books are launching a beginning reader series. I can't wait!

Read the article here:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6414518.html?nid=2788

The Dragon's Eye: The Dragonology Chronicles, Volume 1

The Dragon's Eye: The Dragonology Chronicles, Volume 1
Author: Dugald A. Steer
Illustrator: Douglas Carrel
Publisher: Candlewick
ISBN-10: 0763628107
ISBN-13: 978-0763628109

The real author of Dr. Drake's comprehensive Dragonology: The Complete Book Of Dragons and The Dragonology Handbook: A Practical Course In Dragons, Dugald A. Steer has begun a series of books detailing the life of the imaginary Dr. Ernest Drake. The Dragon’s Eye is the first volume in what looks to be a wonderfully engaging and adventurous series.

In 1882, twelve year old Daniel Cook and his sister Beatrice are sent to stay with their parent’s friend, Dr. Ernest Drake. They are unaware that their parent’s prolonged stay in India is because they are dragonologists from an old and very secret society who work to protect both society and dragons. They are at first reluctant to stay with Dr. Drake but soon find out that he runs a school for budding dragonologists and quickly become fascinated in the secret study of dragons. They also quickly become involved in an adventure as the sinister Ignatius Crook plots to steal the Dragon’s Eye, a gem purported to give him powers to control all the dragons.

The illustrations give depth to the story and fans of the Dragonology books will become fast fans of this new series. There are dragons, dragons and more dragons as well as insight into the fascinating Dr. Ernest Drake who compiled those mysterious and highly detailed first books. Great background and a fun addition to the series.