Wonder Science

For thousands of years, the notion of dragons has struck fear in the hearts of men and women all over the world. The ancient Egyptians believed there was a dragon of darkness that attacked the sun god each day, and in Norway people thought that a dragon gnawed at the roots of the tree that sustained all life on Earth. Around the globe, dragons have been depicted as everything from massive, winged, fire-breathing creatures to beasts sporting a camel’s head, deer’s horns, rabbit’s eyes, and eagle’s claws! Dragons might hoard treasure in caves, or they might be responsible for floods and the death of livestock.

It was a beautiful, mythical city sparkling with riches. But many years ago, a huge wave washed away the entire city. Is it possible the legend of Atlantis is true?

“I’ve always felt that the term fairy tale doesn’t quite capture the essence of these stories,” writes Emily Urquhart. “I prefer the term wonder tale, which is Irish in origin, for its suggestion of awe coupled with narrative. In a way, this is most of our stories.” In this startlingly original essay collection, Urquhart reveals the truths that underlie our imaginings: what we see in our heads when we read, how the sight of a ghost can heal, how the entrance to the underworld can be glimpsed in an oil painting or a winter storm—or the onset of a loved one’s dementia.

An eccentric schoolteacher and a widow-lady babysitter are the heroines in these new digital studio recordings of Donald Davis' two all-time most-requested stories. "It was the 42nd year she had taught fourth grade", yet there was nothing routine about Miss Daisy or her methods. Rather than settle for textbook work (Miss Daisy left textbooks in the big closet) she took her class on a year-long imaginary world tour.

The masters of sky and sea confront each other in this monstrous battle. Few beasts can match the power of a fire-breathing dragon. But huge sea monsters are also fearsome forces of nature. Discover the weapons and abilities of these mighty beasts, and then get ready for a fiery, head-to-head fight.

Did you know that some pets eat poop? It's true. And there's even one pet that will eat its own tank mates! Learn more about the gross things pets do and why they do them. You'll never look at your pets the same way again!

It’s a huge, smelly monster that stomps through the woods. It roars in the night as it hunts for food. Stories of Bigfoot are heard all over North America. Is it possible the legends are true?

It's a big, long necked monster that lives in the waters of Loch Ness. Stories of the Loch Ness Monster are told all around the world. Is it possible the legends are true?

They're flying saucers or glowing balls of light. Some people say they have seen UFOs in the sky. Are the legends true?

Trolls have trampled through popular fairy tales for many years. Have you ever wondered what trolls look like, where they hide out, or why they like darkness? Listen to this book to find out the truth about trolls.

Everybody has secrets, and former US presidents are no exception. Discover which stories about America’s past leaders are true and which ones are just tall tales.

Vampires and werewolves that hunt in the night? A prehistoric sea monster that frightens fishermen? Where did the ideas for these creatures come from? Could some of them be true? Discover tantalizing tidbits about the top 10 mythical creatures of all time.

Get spooked as you compare and learn about some of the scariest monsters on the planet. Fun facts will keep kids listening, interested - and scared!

Frances Drake. William Kidd. Blackbeard. These well-known pirates struck fear in the hearts of many sailors. Listen to learn all about the most famous pirates during the Golden Age of Piracy!

Prepare to be scared as you choose between some of the scariest places on Earth. Fun facts will keep kids scared, interested - and grossed out!

You’d never believe it, but the mummies from horror movies are real. Unwrap the secrets of historic mummies like King Tut and Princess Amen Ra.

Fish that look like cartoons. Lizards that squirt blood from their eyes. These are not your ordinary creatures. Get ready to learn about some of the world’s strangest animals.

Some folk stories endure generation after generation because, although they are not literal, they resound in truths on a human scale. Folktales remind us of wisdom so elemental it is often lost in the rush of everyday life, so that "sometimes common sense makes no sense at all." The six wonder tales on this audiobook are gems of the genre. They have a "long ago and far away" quality.

Cathal Kelly grew up in the '70s and '80s, decades when dressing like Michael Jackson seemed like a good idea and The Beachcombers - "an adventure show about logging" - seemed to make sense. But apart from fashion missteps and baffling TV plot lines, Kelly's youth was a time of wonder, obsession, and discovery. Navigating an often fraught family life, Kelly sought refuge in books, music, movies, games, and at least one backyard hole.

This is a selection of the myths and legends of Scotland, filled with local color, from Scottish journalist, folklorist, and writer Donald Alexander Mackenzie. These stories offer not only glimpses of ancient times and of old habits of thought and life but also of the country itself at different times of the year.