Ologies
Dragonology
Egyptology
Wizardology
Pirateology
Mythology
Monsterology
Spyology
Oceanology
Vampireology
Alienology
Illusionology
Dinosaurology
Dungeonology
Knightology
Ghostology
AuthorDugald Steer and others
IllustratorWayne Anderson, Douglas Carrel and Helen Ward
CountryEngland
LanguageEnglish
GenreFantasy

Human history

Natural history
PublisherTemplar 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 (myths, creatures, paranormal) to non-fictional human and natural history. The series is primarily authored and edited by Dugald Steer. The authors on many of the books are pseudonyms. However, some of the pseudonyms used such as Dr Ernest Drake from the Dragonology portion of the series may have been based on living people. The books are published by Templar Publishing in the United Kingdom, Five Mile Press in Australia, Rizzoli Libri in Italy and Candlewick Press in the United States. The first book, Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons (2003), remained on the New York Times' children's bestsellers list for 76 weeks.[1]

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

Each of the books is given a fictional "author", and purport to be lost journals of fictional investigators. 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

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

Games

Board games

Card games

Video games

In 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

Figures and mini-figures

Plush Toys

Wooden construction sets

Jigsaw puzzles (100 piece)

Planned film adaptations

In 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

  1. ^ "CHILDREN'S BEST SELLERS: September 11, 2005". 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. ^ David Jenkins (2007-10-05). "Codemasters Signs Wii/DS 'Ology Book Deal". Gama Sutra.
  4. ^ Leigh Alexander (2008-01-22). "Nik Nak Developing 'Ology Wii Titles For Codemasters". Gamasutra.
  5. ^ Kit, Borys (June 13, 2008). "Universal acquires 'Dragonology' rights". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 13, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Kroll, Justin; Abrams, Rachel (October 25, 2012). "'Rio' helmer Carlos Saldanha inks Fox pact". Variety. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  8. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 31, 2018). "Paramount Assembles Killer Scribe Roster To Kickstart 'Ology' Franchise". Deadline. Retrieved February 1, 2018.

External links

Dugald Steer's Ology series
Notable works of speculative evolution
Categories