A geologist from the age of Darwin examines the fossil records and myths from civilizations throughout the world to illustrate the origins of legendary monsters, showing how extinct creatures such as the woolly rhinoceros might be construed as a unicorn and flying reptiles interpreted as dragons. 93 black-and-white illustrations.

The beasts that inhabit the realms of ancient myth and folklore are among the most compelling creatures of imagination. This is a modern collection of animal lore in the tradition of natural histories, including beasts from all over the world.

During the Middle Ages, mapmakers placed sea serpents on maps to warn sailors of their presence. But did they really help the seafarers avoid their doom? Young readers will sail through the pages of this high-low title that uncovers the mystery of mythical sea serpents. A narrative opener kick-starts the excitement, while eye-catching features such as an origin map, media mention, and more bring this creature to life!

Shares information on sea monsters, including the kraken, the Loch Ness monster, and the kappa.

Provides an illustrated look at dragons, griffins, werewolves, serpent monsters, sirens, mermaids, and other mythical creatures of land, sea, and air and includes text with legends from around the world.

Ten thrilling tales of the marvelous monsters of the deep Here, in one thrilling volume, are 12 tales of the creatures who rule the bottom of the sea, featuring today's finest science fiction and fantasy authors. Their legends live on, portrayed by such masters as Roger Zelazny, Larry Niven, Gordon R. Dickson, and more. "Algy" by L. Sprague de Camp "Out of Darkness" by Lillian Steward Carl "Leviathan!" by Larry Niven "The Horses of Lir" by Roger Zelazny "The Mortal and the Monster" by Gordon R. Dickson "Man Overboard" by John Collier "The Dakwa" by Manly Wade Wellman "The Kings of the Sea" by Sterling E. Lanier "Grumblefritz" by Marvin Kaye "The Devil of Malkirk" by Charles Sheffield At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

Exploring stories about unicorns from around the globe, this narrative text presents myths and legends in an easy-to-follow narrative voice in conjunction with possible scientific explanations. Bright images and a playful design will keep even the most reluctant readers interested, while a glossary allows readers to build upon their vocabulary.

The mythic creature expert and author of Phoenix takes readers through a bestiary of sea monsters featured on the famous 16th century map Carta Marina. In the sixteenth century, sea serpents, giant man-eating lobsters, and other monsters were thought to swim the waters of Norther Europe, threatening seafarers who ventured too far from shore. Thankfully, Scandinavian mariners had Olaus Magnus, who in 1539 charted these fantastic marine animals in his influential map of the Nordic countries, the Carta Marina. In Sea Monsters, mythologist Joseph Nigg brings readers face-to-face with these creatures and other magnificent components of Magnus’s map. Nearly two meters wide in total, the map’s nine wood-block panels comprise the largest and first realistic portrayal of the region. But in addition to its important geographic significance, Magnus’s map goes beyond cartography to scenes both domestic and mystic. Close to shore, Magnus shows humans interacting with common sea life—boats struggling to stay afloat, merchants trading, children swimming, and fisherman pulling lines. But from the offshore deeps rise some of the most terrifying sea creatures imaginable—like sea swine, whales as large as islands, and the Kraken. In this book, Nigg draws on Magnus’s own text to further describe and illuminate these inventive scenes and to flesh out the stories of the monsters. Sea Monsters is a stunning tour of a world that still holds many secrets for us land dwellers, who will forever be fascinated by reports of giant squid and the real-life creatures of the deep that have proven to be as bizarre and otherworldly as we have imagined for centuries. It is a gorgeous guide for enthusiasts of maps, monsters, and the mythic. “[A] beautiful new exploration of the Carta Marina.”—Wired