Ology (book series)

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Ologies
Dragonology
Egyptology
Wizardology
Pirateology
Mythology
Monsterology
Spyology
Oceanology
Vampireology
Alienology
Illusionology
Dinosaurology
Dungeonology
Knightology
Ghostology
Author Dugald Steer and others
IllustratorWayne Anderson, Douglas Carrel and Helen Ward
CountryEngland
LanguageEnglish
Genre Fantasy
Human history
Natural history
Publisher Templar Publishing (UK)
Candlewick Press (US)
Five Mile Press (AUS)
Published2003–2020
Media typeHardcover

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, but 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 , remained on the New York Times' children's bestsellers list for 76 weeks, and spawned a spin-off novel series, The Dragonology Chronicles. [1]

Contents

The books, which are intended for young readers, have spawned additional Ology World merchandise including action figures, plush toys, board games and card games, and a video game.

Format

Each 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".[ citation needed ]

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.[ citation needed ]

Books

For some books, there were minor differences in titles and cover designs between the British, Australian, Italian and North American publishers.

Games

Board games

Card games

Video games

In 2007, Codemasters acquired the rights to create video games for the Wii and Nintendo DS based on Dragonology , Wizardology and Pirateology . [4] Nik Nak was to develop the Wii titles. [5] Dragonology for the Nintendo DS was released in November 2009, [6] while other Ologies video games were cancelled and never produced.

Toys

Figures and mini-figures

Plush Toys

Wooden construction sets

Jigsaw puzzles (100 piece)

Planned film adaptations

In 2008, Universal Pictures acquired the film rights to the Dragonology series and Leonard Hartman was set to write and executive produce the adaptation. [7] Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci were attached to produce the film for Universal. [8] [9]

In 2012, Carlos Saldanha, the director of the Ice Age and Rio films, was attached to develop for 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios an animated feature film based on Alienology: The Complete Book of Extraterrestrials. [10]

In January 2018, Paramount Pictures acquired the rights to develop a film franchise based on all Ologies books. The writers' room was set up, consisting of Jeff Pinkner, Michael Chabon, Lindsey Beer, Joe Robert Cole, Nicole Perlman and Christina Hodson. The vision for the franchise was for each of the writers to take on the books, collaborating with visual artists to create treatments that would eventually develop into seven scenarios with interconnected storylines. Akiva Goldsman was hired to act as overseer and producer of the franchise. [11]

References

  1. ↑ "CHILDREN'S BEST SELLERS: September 11, 2005". The New York Times . 2005-09-11.
  2. ↑ Minzesheimer, Bob (31 October 2008). "Kids' 'ology' titles go beyond reading". USA Today . Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  3. ↑ "Ologies Series: Interactive Fantasy Encyclopedias". Beautiful Books. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  4. ↑ David Jenkins (2007-10-05). "Codemasters Signs Wii/DS 'Ology Book Deal". Gamasutra.
  5. ↑ Leigh Alexander (2008-01-22). "Nik Nak Developing 'Ology Wii Titles For Codemasters". Gamasutra.
  6. ↑ "Dragonology Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  7. ↑ Kit, Borys (June 13, 2008). "Universal acquires 'Dragonology' rights". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on June 13, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ "Dragonology – A Movie About The Study Of Dragons By The Guys Who Brought Us Star Trek". The Mary Sue . 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  10. ↑ Kroll, Justin; Abrams, Rachel (October 25, 2012). "'Rio' helmer Carlos Saldanha inks Fox pact". Variety . Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  11. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 31, 2018). "Paramount Assembles Killer Scribe Roster To Kickstart 'Ology' Franchise". Deadline . Retrieved February 1, 2018.
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