Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs

edited by Bodie Hodge and Laura Welch
2011 / 24 pages

This book is often paired with Dire Dragons by Vance Nelson, and there's a good reason for that. Both books argue that, contrary to what the evolutionists say, dinosaurs (aka dragons) and people lived at the same time. But while Dire Dragons makes its case by sharing all sorts of physical artifacts of dragons from around the world – sculptures, drawings, etchings, reliefs, paintings, pendants, etc. – the editors of Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs make their case by sharing the many stories of dragons from around the world. If no human has seen a live dinosaur, then why do the descriptions of dragons in these stories bear such a striking resemblance to dinosaurs?

It's a good question, and the make their case with stories from Greece, China, Britain, and even America and South America. And while most every story is sourced, sometimes the source is a website, which isn't, in my mind, the most credible of sources. That bugged me a bit, because this is the sort of book that is going to attract heated opposition because what it is saying is so very counter-cultural. So when you know the heat is coming, why not go to the extra effort and make sure all your sources are rock solid? But that said, this is intended as a children's book, so maybe I shouldn't criticize it for not having textbook type sourcing.

It's short, just 24 pages long, but these are no ordinary pages: one has a half dozen envelopes to open with messages within (see pic), others have flaps to unfold, and on a couple there are even mini books to read. So there is a lot to explore, and this is a very fun of exploring it - there are lots and lots of fantastic dragon pictures to see. I’d recommend this for Grade 2 and up (and Dire Dragon for an older audience, maybe 10 or even 12 and up).

 The one downside is that target audience for this group 12 and up boys, is also a group that would very likely lose or rip bits of it. So if parents make a gift of it, they either need to give it to very careful kids, or be fine with it getting tattered over time.

You can buy a copy at Amazon.com by clicking here.