About the Book Merlin the Magician presents this fully-illustrated guide, featuring 50 creatures from around the world, each with its own detailed description, history, danger rating, confrontation tips, and cross-cultural creature connections. Book Synopsis Calling all adventurers! A world of mythical creatures lies within these pages! Merlin the Magician has spent the last few hundred years tracking down the worlds most elusive mythical creatures. Now he is ready to share every wing, wart, and whisker of these creatures with you! This fully-illustrated guide features 50 creatures, each with its own detailed description, history, danger rating, confrontation tips, and connections to other creatures. There are even a few messages from the creatures themselves! From dragons and mermaids to centaurs and gorgons to kappas and yeti, creatures from every corner of the world (and time) are present. Exploring them is like having a map of the human imagination! Kids 8-12 will love this books combination of information and imagination. This book features: Beautiful full-color illustrations An index of creatures Jokes, wit, and humor Six categories of creatures The facts behind the myths Appreciation for world cultures About the Author Merlin is a famed wizard, turned adventurer. After retiring as King Arthurs court magician, he pursued his lifelong dream of discovering the worlds most elusive mythical creatures. When hes not traveling across time and space, he enjoys spending time in his woodland cottage with Singe, his miniature thornback dragon. About the Other Author/Illustrator Zachary Hamby is a teacher in rural Missouri and the author of many books about mythology and folklore for kids including The Heros Guidebook, Greek Mythology for Kids, and Introduction to Mythology for Kids. When hes not teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Rachel, his daughter, Jane, and his son, Luke, who also helped him with the illustrations for this book. Review Quotes A whimsical jumping off point to inspire childrens interest in global monster lore and mythological history. Hambys acknowledgement of the changing interpretations of and complex histories of these creatures within the brief entries inspire further educational exploration. -Dr. Emily Zarka, Monster Expert and Writer, Host, and Producer of hit PBS series Monstrum Told from the point of view of the acclaimed and well-traveled wizard, Merlin, readers are introduced to all sorts of mythological beings from air, land, water, and beyond, accompanied by colorful, eye-catching illustrations by Zachary and Luke Hamby that bring each creature to life. Chapters cover a creatures basic information and description with additional information found in Merlin Memos, Monster Messages, and Creature Connections. Included are a Creature Index, Recommended Reading, and References in the back of the book. Highly Recommended for public and school libraries and any young monster enthusiast in your life. -Paige Harp, Content Strategist , Missouri State Universitys Meyer Library