When one wakes up and learns something new the first thing in the morning, can a day be more perfect! I am a logophile. A lover of words! And, when combined with two of my other delights - children's books and art - well - just be still my heart!
In your travels to library or bookstore, or even here on the internet, check out the gorgeous-ness that is "A Dignity of Dragons" by Jacqueline K. Ogburn, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli.
A Dignity of Dragons is a 'collective of nouns for magical beasts. We are all familiar with a gaggle of geese, a pride of lions, a murder of crows (a particular favorite of mine!) but what about the dragon, the yeti, the weirs or weres of different species - wolf, fox or bears. Surely the all deserve to have as colorful and descriptive a name given to their groups?
Medusa and her sisters, reptilian tressed ladies that they are, are aptly given the designation 'a tangle of gorgons' (after all, wriggling snakes must certainly be cause for some pretty messy tresses!) An 'avalanche of abominal snowmen' pretty much sums up the feeling one must get upon seeing a massive wall of white furred creatures moving towards you.
The illustrations, well, will we ever see a spray of water on an ocean's surface the same way again after viewing 'a splash of mermaids'?
The book is beautifully written and illustrated, a glossary describing each wonderful creature and it's origins in folklore is included.
If you get a chance to check out the book at your local library or bookstore, or even here online, you are in for a treat.
No comments:
Post a Comment