Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature

　　「怪獸與大自然的奇幻世界」特展盛大來台！展覽由大英自然史博物館（The Natural History Museum），在這本官方出版的展覽專書中，帶領讀者探索《哈利波特》和《怪獸與牠們的產地》電影及書中魔法奇獸，了解奇獸的創作靈感來源，透過曾出現於傳說與神話中的生物，以及真實世界的動物化石標本，發現魔法、想像與真實世界間的連結。例如真實生物雖然很難像幻影猿（Demiguise）一樣完全隱形，但大自然中卻有不少生物發展出各式各樣的隱身技能，又或者是《怪獸與牠們的產地》電影中讓人印象深刻的爆角怪求偶舞，我們也可以在孔雀蜘蛛的身上見到這種求偶方式，以及致敬哈利波特系列而命名的霍格華茲龍王龍（Dracorex Hogwartsia）。  　
 
　　書中同時收錄來自知名作者及自然史學者的觀察專文，豐富的知識內容外，更搭配魔法奇獸的精美插圖、《怪獸與牠們的產地》及《哈利波特》系列電影的道具、以及令人讚嘆的自然攝影作品，再加上大英自然史博物館超過八千萬件的動植物和化石等豐富館藏資料，邀請讀者探索玻璃獸、木精、獨角獸、人魚等迷人生物，了解他們奇妙有趣的特性與行為。真實的大自然就像魔法世界一樣神奇，本書不只啟發喜愛魔法世界的讀者，以更廣闊的視角重新認識魔法世界和奇獸，也同時帶領我們重新發現大自然生物的奧秘。

　　The stunning official companion to the Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature exhibition at the Natural History Museum – an extraordinary exploration of the parallels between our planet’s wildest animals, creatures from myth and legend, and the Fantastic Beasts of J.K. Rowling’s books and films

　　The magical world of J.K.Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts meets the real-world experts of the world-famous Natural History Museum, in an awe-inspiring exhibition devoted to the wonders of nature, science and adventure – and their fictional counterparts from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature is the official book inspired by the spectacular exhibition, shining a light on beasts in all their fantastic forms. Taking inspiration from Newt Scamander, this gorgeous colour gift book invites the whole family to explore the inspiration and links between the magic of J.K. Rowling’s creatures and the astonishing real-world wildlife that has roamed the earth, seas and skies of our planet throughout history.

　　Prepare to pore over ancient maps of sea monsters; naturalists' field notes crammed with intricately painted chameleons and caterpillars; and dinosaurs such as the mighty Dracorex Hogwartsia, the ‘Dragon King of Hogwarts’. The Natural History Museum boasts one of the finest collections in the world – some 80 million animals, plants, minerals, rocks and fossils. These scientific specimens sit beside breathtaking artwork of J.K. Rowling’s magical creatures; fascinating props and artefacts from the Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter films; and stunning wildlife photography. Readers are invited to meet unicorns and merpeople, Nifflers and Bowtruckles, pythons and tigers, and observe their amazing and endlessly surprising behaviours.

　　Each chapter begins with an original essay by a well-known writer, environmental expert or natural history scientist, offering their own unique insight into the exhibition. Uplifting and absorbing, this is a book that evokes the true magic and majesty of nature in all its myriad forms. Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature inspires us to protect our precious planet – a must-have for Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts fans of all ages, budding explorers and readers who aren’t able to visit the exhibition in person.