Life-Size Dragons (Life-Size Series)

The pictures are life-size, and the sales are larger than life:Life-Size Dinosaurs has already sold almost 400,000 copies! And now, the bestselling series features its first fantastic creatures…and a children’s favorite.

Continuing the success of this humongous, eye-popping series, Life-Size Dragons ventures into the realm of the imagination. We know that dragons are popular—both Dragonhenge and The Book of the Dragon became big hits with a devoted fan base. And here they are breathing fire in ten pullout flaps by digital art pioneer Fred Gambino…and bigger than ever before. There’s even a close-up look into the dragon’s deathly jaws and its red-hot flaming mouth. But that’s not all: the text—written by Hugo Award-winner John Grant—delves into mythology to reveal the natural history, evolution, anatomy, behavior, and every other aspect of a variety of dragon species. How clever are they, really? Do any still live in the modern world? Dragon-obsessed youngsters (and which one isn’t?) will want to look and learn.

John Grant is the pseudonym of Paul Barnett, a former editor and editorial consultant. He has written both fiction and nonfiction, specializing in sci-fi and fantasy. Among his many honors are: two Hugo Awards, the World Fantasy Award, and the rare British Science Fiction Association Special Award.

Fred Gambino has done groundbreaking work in the world of digital art, and is a prolific illustrator of book covers—especially for science fiction and fantasy stories. He produced backgrounds and concept drawings for thefilm Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius.

Kathleen Karr - Children's Literature

So you don't believe in dragons? This collaboration between British Hugo winner John Grant and groundbreaking digital artist Fred Gambino, who worked on the film Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, might have you thinking twice. Grant's text is clever. Tongue-very-firmly-in-cheek he cites the mirror planet Antichthon ("opposite earth") that ancient Greeks believed in as the source and home to all dragons. Next, he does an amusing riff on zoological nomenclature in explanation for the mixed Latin/Greek/whimsy names he gives the creatures referred to within the book. As to his take on the origins of fire breathing and treasure hoarding, well, it all makes perfect sense. The references to earthly mythology and folktale only bestow more certitude to Grant's data. Top it off with a scholarly index and belief is closer. Now add Gambino's realer-than-real "life size" or "to scale" illustrations and the hoax is complete. Youngsters should get a kick out of it, and it would make a fine coffee table book for paleontologists with a sense of humor. 2006, Sterling Publishing, Ages 5 up.