Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Harper Element (2005), Hardback, 704 pages
Description
"From unicorns, salamandars, satyrs, giants, elves and trolls, to dragons, nymphs, mermaids, werewolves and griffins -- take an enchanting journey through the history, folklore, and mythology of these beasts from virtually every culture in the world."--p. [4] of cover.
User reviews
LibraryThing member serpentkills
A very good guide to fantastic beasts. I do not think it covers the same breadth of information as, say, Carol Rose's Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth, but it is more accessible since it doesn't read quite like an encyclopedia. And it has more pictures,
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if that's your thing. Show Less
LibraryThing member SeriouslySaoirse
Very good, handy resource. Only earns 3.5 stars from me because it has the same issue many similar types of books do--not enough time spent on every entry. A good resource and a fine start filled with many creatures I learned a bit more about because of this book. Worth the cover price--a good buy
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for kids just getting started in myth and legend and fantasy reading (or writing). Show Less
LibraryThing member Sile
I cannot rave about this book enough. It is a truly wonderful compilation of magical creatures from around the world - including the Queensland Tiger!!! There is a general introduction to each creature and some considerable cross-referencing has been done.
My favourites are included:
Black Shuck
Pooka
Brownies
Landvaettir
there were only a very few missing that I could see, but maybe they are under a different name and I have yet to find them - it is a BIG book after all.
What is interesting is to see creatures from the various movies and television shows such as Buffy, Robin of Sherwood, Lord of the Rings - so there are entries for Orcs, gremlins (which apparently only appeared after WWI) and such like.
This is a book to help identify anything that may be lurking in your area. Truly a wonderful book.
My favourites are included:
Black Shuck
Show More
Pooka
Brownies
Landvaettir
there were only a very few missing that I could see, but maybe they are under a different name and I have yet to find them - it is a BIG book after all.
What is interesting is to see creatures from the various movies and television shows such as Buffy, Robin of Sherwood, Lord of the Rings - so there are entries for Orcs, gremlins (which apparently only appeared after WWI) and such like.
This is a book to help identify anything that may be lurking in your area. Truly a wonderful book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Sylverlynxx
I haven't read this book yet, as I just picked it up today for $10 at Half Price Books. I grabbed it as soon as I saw it as I know the other Element Encyclopedia books I have are wonderfully written, well researched and an absolute must-have for the curious in all of us. I can't wait to reach this
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find in my 'To Be Read' stack! Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2004
Physical description
704 p.
ISBN
0007208731 / 9780007208739
Local notes
Each entry in this encyclopedia delves into folklore and history to reveal such secrets as why dragons guard the weather, how to make mermen laugh, and how a slow lizard cost humans the gift of eternal life. Entries range from Chinese dragons to Norwegian sea monsters, banshees to griffins, cherufes to lampaluguas, and characters from and from writers such as the Brothers Grimm, Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkien, and J.K. Rowling.