The Ologies are a series of illustrated, interactive, montessori style books presented in an encyclopedic format. The inspirations for the topics range from fantasy and the unknown (myths and legends, creatures and monsters, paranormal and aliens) to non-fictional human and natural history. The series is primarily authored and edited by Dugald A. Steer. The various "authors" of the books are pseudonyms representing fictional characters who are experts in the subject matter. However, some of the pseudonyms used, such as Dr. Ernest Drake from the Dragonology portion of the series, may have been based on real people. The books are published by Templar Publishing in the United Kingdom, Five Mile Press in Australia, Rizzoli Libri in Italy, Candlewick Press in the United States, and Penguin Random House in Canada. The first book, Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons (2003), remained on the New York Times' children's bestsellers list for 76 weeks.[1]
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Dragonology Egyptology Wizardology Pirateology Mythology Monsterology Spyology Oceanology Vampireology Alienology Illusionology Dinosaurology Dungeonology Knightology Ghostology | |
| Author | Dugald Steer and others |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Wayne Anderson, Douglas Carrel and Helen Ward |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy Natural history |
| Publisher | Templar Publishing (UK) Candlewick Press (US) Five Mile Press (AUS) |
| Published | 2003–2020 |
| Media type | Hardcover |
The books, which are intended for young readers, have spawned additional merchandise including action figures, plush toys, board games and card games, and a video game.
Format
editEach of the books is given a fictional "author", and purport to be the writings and lost journals of fictional investigators and experts. Since the books follow an encyclopedia format rather than a narrative, Steer has said that "it's slightly different from traditional reading. Readers can dip in and out, but the essential story is told in a linear way."[2]
The large-format books contain many novelty items of ephemera including removable maps and postcards, letters that can be unfolded, and tactile items such as “dragon scales”, "mummy cloth" and "gold doubloons".
The books are illustrated by a variety of artists, including Helen Ward, Wayne Anderson, Nghiem Ta, Chris Forsey, A. J. Wood, Douglas Carrel, J.P. Lambert, Ian P. Andrew, Nick Harris, Anne Yvonne Gilbert, John Howe, Tomislav Tomic, G. Hunt, R. Sella, and Carole Thomann.
Books
edit- Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons (2003)
- The Dragonology Handbook: A Practical Course in Dragons
- A Dragonology Code Writing Kit
- Dragonology The Coloring Book
- Dragonology The Coloring Companion
- Working with Dragons: A Course in Dragonology
- Drake's Comprehensive Compendium of Dragonology
- Tracking and Taming Dragons Volume 1: European Dragon
- Tracking and Taming Dragons Volume 2: Frost Dragon
- Dragonology Field Guide to Dragons
- Bringing Up Baby Dragons: A Guide for Beginners
- Obscure Spells and Charms of Dragon Origin: A Dragonology Kit
- Dragonology Pocket Adventures:
- The Iceland Wyrm
- The Dragon Star
- The Dragon Dance
- The Winged Serpent
- Dragonology Chronicles:
- The Dragon’s Eye
- The Dragon Diary
- The Dragon’s Apprentice
- The Dragon Prophecy
- Egyptology: Search for the Tomb of Osiris (2004)
- The Egyptology Handbook: A Course in the Wonders of Egypt
- An Egyptologist's Writing Kit
- Wonders of Egypt: A Course in Egyptology
- Egyptology the Coloring Book
- Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin (2005)
- The Wizardology Handbook: A Course for Apprentices
- A Wizard's Code Writing Kit
- A Guide to Wizards of the World
- Pirateology: A Pirate Hunter's Companion (2006)
- The Pirateology Handbook: A Course in Pirate Hunting
- A Pirateology Code Writing Kit
- Pirateology Handbook: A Course for Seafarers
- Pirateology Handbook: A Cabin Boy’s Course in Pirate Hunting
- A Pirate's Guidebook and Model Ship Set
- Pirateology Guide to Life on Board a Pirate Ship
- Mythology: Greek Gods, Heroes, & Monsters (2007)
- The Mythology Handbook
- Monsterology: The Complete Book of Fabulous Beasts (2008)
- The Monsterology Handbook: A Practical Course in Monsters
- Working with Monsters: A Course in Monsterology
- Spyology: The Complete Book of Spycraft (2008)
- Oceanology: The True Account of the Voyage of the Nautilus (2009)
- The Oceanology Handbook: A Course for Underwater Explorers
- Vampireology: The True History of the Fallen Ones (2010)
- Alienology: The Complete Book of Extraterrestrials (2010)
- Illusionology: The Secret Science of Magic (2012)
- Dinosaurology: The Search for a Lost World (2013)
- Dungeonology - made in collaboration with Dungeons & Dragons (2016)
- Knightology: A True Account of the Most Valiant Knights (2017)
- Ghostology: A True Revelation of Spirits, Ghouls, and Hauntings (2020)
- Dr. Ernest Drake's Collector's Library (contains two books: Dragonology and Monsterology)
- The Ology Collection (contains four books: Dragonology, Egyptology, Wizardology and Pirateology)
For some books, there were minor differences in titles and cover designs between the British, Australian, Italian and North American publishers.
Games
editBoard games
edit- Dragonology: The Game
- Wizardology: The Game
- Pirateology: The Game
- Mythology: The Game
- Vampireology: The Fallen Ones
Card games
edit- Hatch: The Dragonology Card Game
- Spells and Potions: The Wizardology Card Game
- Splice: The Pirateology Card Game
- Monsterology: Unleash the Monsters trading card game
Video games
editIn October 2007, Codemasters announced a licensing agreement to create video games for the Wii and Nintendo DS based on Dragonology, Wizardology and Pirateology.[3] Nik Nak was to develop the Wii titles.[4]
Dragonology for the Nintendo DS was released in November 2009. All other “Ologies” video games were cancelled and never produced.
Toys
editFigures and mini-figures
edit- Dragonology figures (dragons)
- Wizardology figures (wizards)
- Pirateology mini-figures (pirates and ships)
- Mythology figures and mini-figures (mythological characters and monsters)
Plush Toys
edit- Dragonology (dragons)
- Mythology (pegasus)
Wooden construction sets
edit- Dragonology (dragons)
- Pirateology (ships)
Jigsaw puzzles (100 piece)
edit- Dragonology: Dragons of the World
- Egyptology: The Wonders of Egypt
- Wizardology
Planned film adaptations
editIn 2008, Universal Studios acquired the film rights to the Dragonology series, with Leonard Hartman set to write and executive produce the adaptation.[5] In August 2012, it was reported that Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci would produce the film for Universal.[6]
In October 2012, it was reported that Carlos Saldanha, the director of the Ice Age and Rio films, was developing for 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios an animated feature film based on Alienology: The Complete Book of Extraterrestrials.[7]
On January 31, 2018, Paramount Pictures announced they were in the process of developing a film franchise centered around all of the Ologies books (15 books as of 2024), by setting up a writers' room currently consisting of Jeff Pinkner, Michael Chabon, Lindsey Beer, Joe Robert Cole, Nicole Perlman and Christina Hodson. The vision for the franchise is the hope that each of the writers will embrace the books by working with visual artists to create treatments that will eventually evolve into seven movie scripts with interconnected stories. Paramount also announced that Akiva Goldsman is to act as overseer and producer of the franchise.[8]
References
edit- ^ "CHILDREN'S BEST SELLERS: September 11, 2005". New York Times. 2005-09-11.
- ^ Minzesheimer, Bob (31 October 2008). "Kids' 'ology' titles go beyond reading". USA Today. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
- ^ David Jenkins (2007-10-05). "Codemasters Signs Wii/DS 'Ology Book Deal". Gama Sutra.
- ^ Leigh Alexander (2008-01-22). "Nik Nak Developing 'Ology Wii Titles For Codemasters". Gamasutra.
- ^ Kit, Borys (June 13, 2008). "Universal acquires 'Dragonology' rights". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 13, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ Kit, Borys (August 27, 2012). "'Star Trek 2's' Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci to Produce 'Dragonology' for Universal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ Kroll, Justin; Abrams, Rachel (October 25, 2012). "'Rio' helmer Carlos Saldanha inks Fox pact". Variety. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 31, 2018). "Paramount Assembles Killer Scribe Roster To Kickstart 'Ology' Franchise". Deadline. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
