Creating Creatures of Fantasy and Imagination by Claudia Nice (2005, Hardcover)

I borrowed this book from my library and have since bought three copies.

In the book, the author shows how fantasy creatures can be evolved, starting from ordinary people and animals. She makes numerous suggestions for alterations and shows steps in the process, with close-ups of details. Some of her results are perhaps more successful than others, but that is likely a matter of personal taste. I appreciate that she gives an idea of the anatomy of the animals on which she bases her creations, which always helps to make fantasy more "lifelike". I wish the book had more scope, but one can't expect everything in one book, and there are actually a nice range of examples.

Well over half the book is devoted to human-type fantasy creatures: fairies, gnomes, elves,etc. Really nice treatment....now, if she'd just do a book with dogs.....or maybe her example will inspire one of us to do it...