Ever since the dragon leader boomed Now's the time, all the dragons flew away, leaving children to wonder where they went but also believing they still live.

    Greasebeam, B.Sc. (Serpentology), F.R.Aud., to serve up this compendium of dragon lore and sheer inventive nonsense. Expanding on a dozen illustrations from his calendar Dragons Draaks & Beasties, Base fabricates a trio of correspondents?a Viking, a Chinese silk trader and a Prussian explorer?whose letters chronicle their discoveries of dragons in various continents. The resulting web of yarns that Base spins is nothing short of hilarious ("Hope the looting and pillaging went well," writes Bjorn of Bromme in a letter to Olaf the Grim, for instance). Illustrations showcase the kind of intricate detail for which Base is so well known, and he bolsters his dragon art with a deadpan running commentary set in a border at the bottom of each page. "Dagbar defunctus est" notes one caption in a fit of understatement, as the accompanying cartoon depicts the demise of one of Bjorn's companions. There's much to enjoy here, and much to propel readers to seek out every last drop of humor. All ages. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

    But Axel and Thistle think Auntie Esmerelda is bad news. With the help of Uncle Mole--and a mirror--they're determined to shatter her perfect image. But will a face-off with Esmerelda mean trouble ahead? Illustrated in full color.

    The origins and historical significance of each legend are examined and recurring motifs are traced through the ages and around the world. Over 2,500 detailed entries form the second part of this guide, providing a fascinating and comprehensive reference source to one of the most influential and misunderstood strands of social and literary history.

    But there's only one force that can save the City of Angels now--Godzilla. From Beverly Hills to the Hollywood Hills, here's one monster showdown sure to make the earth quake!