A fire-breathing, volcano-loving dragon is the reader's guide to understanding how volcanoes work and where they appear on Earth. The dragon's cave-like lair is the starting place for a journey that begins in the pages of the dragon's volcano book. This book within the book is a device for showing actual photographic images of volcanoes in action and for adding fun facts in creative, almost sidebar format without detracting from the beauty and fun of the full-scale artwork. Inspired by reading about a volcanic eruption, the dragon sets out to experience one first-hand. He shows us an inside view of a volcano by drilling through the side and swimming the magma within. A cutaway view shows how magma lies below the Earth's surface. In an active volcano it bubbles inside the rocky covering, pushing its way upward, causing steam to escape through cracks in the rock. The pressure builds and, the volcano pops its top and erupts, expelling the dragon out of the top with a huge cloud of gas and ash. After seeing one active volcano close-up, the dragon visits other volcanoes around the world, learning how some types of volcanoes have different characteristics and behave differently during eruptions. In Washington State, he ploughs through ash that falls like snow. In Italy he fends off volcano bombs that are tossed from the volcano's rumbling mouth. In Colombia, it's a narrow escape from a mudslide and in Hawaii, the dragon admires the spectacular lava fountains, waterfalls, and lakes. We look at types of lava rock, learn why scientists study volcanoes, and see a map of the volcanoes of the world before the dragon returns to his lair for a good night's sleep--with a sleeping volcano in view from his window. Ellen Prager's text is lively and full of science, and pairs strongly with stunning pastel, watercolour, and photographic collage artwork from Nancy Woodman.