Have you ever dreamed of raising your very own dragon? Now you can. Within the past few decades, dragon-breeders have sprung up worldwide. And here is the very first guidebook devoted to raising and keeping the unique creatures they supply. The author of this essential manual is none other than the world-renowned dragon scholar, John Topsell. A distant relative of the famous naturalist, Edward Topsell, John has spent much of his life raising dragons. Learn all you need to know about the raising process: selecting and acquiring an available breed; building the perfect enclosure; hatching a dragon egg; feeding and grooming; training and riding; showing your dragon in competition; and much more. With this extraordinary book always in hand, you'll enjoy many happy years with the world's most mysterious and satisfying animal companion. Award-winning author Joseph Nigg has researched and written about fantastic animals for more than twenty years, his previous books including The Book of Gryphons, The Book of Fabulous Beasts and The Book of Dragons and Other Mythical Beasts. He has taught at several colleges and universities and lives in Denver, Colorado.

About the Author

Award-winning author Joseph Nigg has researched and written about fantastic animals for more than twenty years, his previous books including The Book of Gryphons, The Book of Fabulous Beasts and The Book of Dragons and Other Mythical Beasts. He has taught at several colleges and universities and lives in Denver, Colorado.

Reviews

Gr 5 Up-Posing as dragon-breeder John Topsell-a descendant of Edward Topsell, author of The Historie of Serpents (1608)-Nigg instructs readers in selecting and caring for a breed of dragon suited for them. Those without much room, for example, are advised to choose a Cockatrice, a rooster-sized creature famous for its bad breath. Only those with a big yard should consider the Dragon of India, which is three times the size of an elephant. A diagram of how to identify dragon eggs; a guide on choosing a healthy, well-adjusted pet from a breeder; and a list of equipment required for proper care (such as a fireproof suit) are included. While not intended as a serious book on mythology, Nigg does share many bits of real dragon lore while spinning out details of what it might be like to live in a world where people breed, register, and show these creatures. Malone's full-color illustrations on every page offer fans many cool pictures to copy or sketch. With its tongue firmly in cheek, this book is a lot of lighthearted fun, and a wonderful choice for display and booktalking.-Walter Minkel, New York Public Library Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

A handbook for those hooked on the legendary creatures, How to Raise and Keep a Dragon by John Topsell sports a winged dragon with sparkling ruby eyes peering out from a padded cover. Beginning with the searching question, "Should I Own a Dragon?" ("Deciding whether to acquire a dragon is one of the most important choices you'll ever make," the book opens), and proceeding to chapters with instructions on how to raise one, this guide for dragon owners brims with scientific-quality drawings, a genealogy of dragon breeds and even instructions on how to ride sky dragons. Dog owners will most appreciate the humor in the section on "Showing your dragon" and "What judges look for." Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.