Dragons?! tours the globe describing the discoveries and ancient beliefs about dragons as mythological monsters, deities, creators of the world and guardians of its riches. The book tells the many stories of fierce battles, superpowers, mysteries of nature, local lore and legend. Thankfully, heroes abound and a clutch of cheeky chicks guides readers through the pages.
Dragons?! opens with Pliny the Elder's Encyclopedia written more than 2000 years ago in which he mentions dragons, the enormous creatures described by returning travelers. We know now, of course, that these were whales, octopuses, elephants and other giants of nature but Pliny called them "dragons" and it stuck. In this book, readers will learn a great deal about dragons while enjoying Lila Prap's trademark illustrations.
As imagination took hold, the dragons became increasingly ferocious. Giant fanged, fire-breathing creatures morphed with snakes, roosters, flying birds and reptilian lizards to become enormous bloodthirsty monsters with insect legs, multiple heads and batlike wings. But not everyone thought the dragons were evil or dangerous; the Chinese believed they brought good fortune.
There is an exemplary amount of information in Dragons?! presented in a decidedly friendly way. Children will be captivated and will surely want to learn more about these mythological beings. Vividly illustrated and humorous: Lila Prap does it again.
About the Author: Lila Prap has a degree in architecture from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. She works as a freelance artist and children's author and illustrator. Her international prizes include the 2002 IBBY Certificate of Honor for Illustration and nominations for the 2005 German Literature Award, the 2006 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration and the 2006 Astrid Lindgren Award for Illustration. In Slovenia she has been awarded the Levstik Prize, the Most Beautiful Book Prize and the Original Slovenian Picture Book Prize. She lives in in Smarjeta, Slovenia, where she runs an art gallery displaying her works.
