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MONSTEROLOGY:
The Complete Book of Monstrous Creatures
written by Dr. Ernest Drake
illustrated by Douglas Carrell, Nicholas Lenn and Helen Ward
edited by Dugald A. Steer
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763639402
Ages 8-up
32 pages
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The world is full of amazing beasts and monsters far beyond our ken. Open your eyes and see for yourself. All anyone ever has to do is go out and look!
- Dr. Ernest Drake
How would you frighten off a ravenous monster without doing them harm --- or having them eat you? Why not try bottling the foul breath of the cockatrice and, if the occasion should arise, simply throw this at the beast? Or, what if you were interested in attracting the elusive unicorn? In this case you must use a young woman with three ripe pomegranates and a special song. Done correctly, you can be petting one of these shy, beautiful creatures soon. This excellent information, along with so much more, appears in the second appendix provided from the journals of Dr. Ernest Drake.
As he explains in his opening letter, in 1898 Dr. Drake took it upon himself to explore the existence of mythical beasts (besides dragons, which he had studied in an earlier edition). Almost all of these creatures had been thought either not to exist or to be extinct now. With a scientific approach, and the assistance of several friends, he boarded his yacht, the Hydra, and began an often dangerous but fruitful exploration. This beautiful volume is a testament to the unbelievable results of his year-long journey. In fact, you are able to easily retrace his voyage with the detailed foldout map provided.
Like any true scientist, Dr. Drake has been careful to collect samples when he could, such as hairs from the mane of a unicorn, skin from the tail of a sea serpent and ashes from the nest of a phoenix. How exciting to find these samples actually provided! Along with the many specimens are hundreds of drawings in both black and white and color. Obviously, the artists traveling with him were top notch. Just take a look at the illustrations of the mighty sea serpents --- the Cyclops, the Jaculus, the Chimera and the Yetis, among others. A great deal of courage was needed to get a peek at these secretive beasts. Though no direct stories of face-to-face encounters are told, you know that these were done at tremendous risk.
So is the Loch Ness monster living quietly in Scotland? According to Dr. Drake, it is definitely alive and well. Nessie is among many water beasts that lurk in oceans, lakes and rivers (see provided photo album). There is even the Bunyip from Australia (bet you never heard of that one) that looks something like a walrus but has dangerous tusks, big claws and a kind of horse tail. While they don't seem all that foreboding, they love to eat young marsupials and any "other" mammals. Don't get too close.
There is even a chapter on "Semi-Human Beasts," which examines creatures like Harpies, Manticores and Centaurs. The development of these creatures, which has been long doubted, is (according to Dr. Drake) due to the fact that "These beasts, often having humans as their natural prey, have evolved alongside them and have developed those features that would make interactions with them all the more probable."
There are three excellent appendices that conclude this exciting book. Appendix I discusses how to find many of these creatures using "harmless" tracking methods, photography and newer types of equipment. Conserving and protecting the beasts as well as using kindness are most important for their survival. In Appendix II, many useful spells and charms are discussed, such as "The Beast Bop" and the "Chalice of Aleonor." Appendix III gives biographical background on other monsterologists through the ages. Drake even discusses the frauds that have caused so much havoc with their outrageous and confusing claims.
His concluding pages offer challenges and advice on being an insightful monsterologist. The back page provides special spaces for additional specimens along with some fascinating samples already entered.
While touted as a book for children under 12, as an adult I could not help but feel that I needed to start my specimen collection right away. I'm sure you will too! But before you do, read this terrific volume through and through for the first of many great adventures to come.
--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts
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