As a kid, my favorite place was the library periodicals section. They knew me by name there, for they were the keepers of the Dragon Magazines. Four issues at a time, I poured over all the fantastic knowledge I could, and my absolute favorite articles were those whose title started with "The Ecology of . . ."

I was spellbound by intricate details about the life cycle of monsters, from the way satyrs treat friendship to how a detached hydra tongue can be used to predict the weather. I'm guessing that a lot of that helped shape me into becoming the author of Murder With Monsters.

And that's why I love this book.

Baby Bestiary Vol. 1 is entirely that kind of ecological and societal looks at monsters, as if David Attenborough started lecturing about chimera and griffins. Half the book are the single page write-ups on the lifestyles of the beasts, how easy they are to tame/raise as adopted children, and how they treat their human masters/parents when they grow up.

The other half of the book is the staggeringly beautiful artwork.

If you've followed my reviews at all, you know I love dumping large swaths of scanned artwork. I'm not doing that because I've communicated with the author, and I know he doesn't like his art reproduced without the proper logo. Still, here's one link he wouldn't mind me posting.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o754/iwritemonsters/759bd96579c9225a80ee025b...

Every single art page is that detailed, that lush, and that adorable. It's worth the price of admission to see how beholders, nightmares, and the friggin' D&D tarrasque are made cute.

The Bestiary test, as I've said before, if whether or not I'll pick up a book whenever its within arm's reach and lose five to ten minutes on it. This one passes with flying colors.

I can't wait for volume two.

Don't worry, nongamers. There's not a single block of algebraic stats to be found. Just amazing world-building. ( )