All of Graeme Base's books are absolutely stunning from the story to the illustrations. The story is wonderful and only exceeded by the gorgeous illustrations. This book can be read cover to cover but then it is also fun to go back and solve on the hidden puzzles. ( )

I was completely obsessed with this book when I was younger, but somehow managed to lose track of it for years - until it showed up in Value Village last summer! I absolutely had to buy it, just to relive a little bit of my childhood. Obviously I still love dragons, even though my obsession has calmed somewhat, so it was great to peruse Bases' "explorers' journal" of dragons. His accompanying writing, while humourous, has decreased somewhat in entertainment value, but the unique physiology of his dragons from around the world holds up to current scrutiny. ( )

Nice pictures. ( )

Meh. For the casual adult reader this is a weak book, more suited for Base and/or dragon enthusiasts, or children.

Apparently just a way to make more money off of an earlier calendar, by slapping the 12 illustrations for it between two covers and tossing in some peripheral cartoons and silly letters. What's there is mostly harmless, but lacking in the richness of purpose and effect that I find so appealing in his non-rehash works. Also, in the last set of dragons/letters, there are some anachronisms that, disappointingly to me, strongly suggested carelessness, lack of interest, and/or laziness on Base's part (fake references to Darwin from 1847 by a German explorer, but Darwin did not publicize his theory of natural selection until 11 years later; also, one of the peripheral cartoons depicts a metal-hulled, mastless ship in reference to an 1864 event. Weren't no such thing in 1864). ( )

Every household should have a guide for identifying dragons, and this one is highly recommended.

As usual with a Graeme Base book the illustrations are wonderful, with the high level of detail that goes into all of his work. The reports and letters that tell us about the dragons are imaginative and often quite witty. A charming book for older readers ( )