Imagine a Dragon

by Laurence Pringle Narrated by John McDonough

Overview

For thousands of years, the notion of dragons has struck fear in the hearts of men and women all over the world. The ancient Egyptians believed there was a dragon of darkness that attacked the sun god each day, and in Norway people thought that a dragon gnawed at the roots of the tree that sustained all life on Earth. Around the globe, dragons have been depicted as everything from massive, winged, fire-breathing creatures to beasts sporting a camel's head, deer's horns, rabbit's eyes, and eagle's claws! Dragons might hoard treasure in caves, or they might be responsible for floods and the death of livestock. Dragons, in fact, prove as diverse as the many cultures that tell of them. The works of Laurence Pringle have garnered major awards, including the Eva L. Gordon Award for Children's Science Literature, the Washington Post-Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Prize from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 1-4- Pringle explores the history and traits of Eastern and Western dragons. He suggests why ancient civilizations might have believed in them and differentiates among their traits in different parts of the world. Illustrations, done in acrylic in a somewhat dark palette, invite readers, as the title suggests, to use their imaginations. All are filled with swirling colors, a few so kaleidoscopic that viewers must search for the creatures among the curves and lines. Patterns in backgrounds and borders reflect the various cultures from which they come. Among the eye-popping dragon books published recently, this one has a more scholarly feel. The summaries of stories about these mythical animals lack the richness of true storytelling, but the book will show young readers that there is much to learn about dragons and may lead them to research and dreaming of their own.-Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

Kirkus Reviews

Light on specifics-and totally free of source citations or leads to further information-Pringle's anecdotal survey of dragons worldwide floats next to a set of kaleidoscopic action portraits done in swirling combed acrylics. Making it plain that he's describing imaginary creatures, the author begins with examples from ancient civilizations, closes with a reference to dragon floats in modern Chinese New Year celebrations, and in between, mentions monsters from Asia, Europe and Africa, but not the Americas. Neilan's toothy worms occupy color or monochrome scenes rendered in a fragmented, cubist style. Gail Gibbons's Behold-The Dragons! (1999) is just one of several titles that will give younger audiences a better grounding in dragon basics; consider this one only for readers who can't get enough on the topic. (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-9)

From the Publisher

"With the current interest in dragons in fiction, this book fills a nonfiction need giving the history of this creature in world cultures. . . . Will be a great addition to any collection whose users are into the current dragon stories." —Library Media Connection

"Will show young readers that there is much to learn about dragons and may lead them to research and dreaming of their own." —School Library Journal

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171168612
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	03/14/2014
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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