Dragon world by Tamara Macfarlane. Illus. by Alessandra Fusi

In this beautiful book, Dragon World written by Tamara Macfarlane, readers are taken on a journey to meet the fire breathing beasts of mythology. The stunning illustrations by Alessandra Fusi capture the reader's interest immediately and provide visually appealing images to complement the text. The book begins with a contents page where the information is divided into four headings: Asian Dragons, European Dragons, Dragons of the World and Dragon Discoveries. A short description of the world of dragons piques the reader's interest and is a perfect introduction. There are maps to show where the dragons being discussed originated from, stories about the dragons, and each dragon is described under the headings of appearance, dwelling, powers and traits. There is even a dragon from Australia mentioned. It is known as the Marsupial dragon and had a body similar to a kangaroo, dwelled in rocky areas, breathed fire or blue smoke and used strong legs to strike enemies. In the section titled Living Dragons the Australian Leafy Sea Dragon is mentioned alongside other well-known dragon named species of plants and animals alive today. The book also has pages on how to draw a dragon and design a dragon as well as a detailed glossary and index.

Dragon World would be a wonderful gift for any child who is fascinated by these creatures or as an introduction to dragons and mythology. A very welcome addition to a home, school or public library.

Themes: Fantasy, Dragons, Mythology, Legends.

Kathryn Beilby