Dragons Around the World

A fiery introduction to dragons both beastly and benevolent, that draws directly from world mythology.

Many cultures tell stories about dragon-like creatures - some are fearsome and others are surprisingly friendly. This gloriously illustrated compendium celebrates them all!

Featuring snappy summaries of famous myths, and surprising facts drawn from historical sources, Dragons Around the World is the ultimate reference book for dragon fans the world over. Discover China's lucky Long dragon, the life-giving Rainbow Serpent from Aboriginal Australia, and Japan's pearl-clasping Ryujin among other super serpents including the many-headed Hydra from ancient Greece and St. Jordi's fearsome match, Drac.

Author Sally Nicholls, who works at London's British Library, has drawn on the British Library's extensive cultural archives to write the text. A showcase at the back of the book traces each dragon's cultural origins through museum objects featuring dragons. Brought to life through the exquisite illustrations of Maria Francesca Melis, this book is a must-have for fans of dragons and mythology.

About the Author

Sally Nicholls is an editor and picture researcher who works on the British Library's publishing team in the UK. For this book she conducted her research both in the British Library's archives and during her own intrepid travels, bringing together a global cast of dragons from a range of cultures and locations.

Maria Francesca Melis is an illustrator, designer and photographer who splits her time between her native Sardinia in Italy and New Zealand. She is a longlisted artist in the 2025 World Illustration Awards.