Beasts of Lore

Imagine the sharp-toothed visage of a bright-scaled monster, the glimmer of sunlight on armor, the hands of a fair maiden clasped in fear. The numerous and varied stories about dragons, knights, and princesses present a rich tapestry too extensive to encapsulate. The books included here focus on dragons, mostly of European lineage, that inhabit medieval domains or fairy-tale realms. The creatures vary greatly in personality and demeanor, and include the traditionally terrifying as well as gentle-hearted companions. Their human counterparts are equally multifaceted, with a strong showing of heroes, both obvious and unlikely, who accomplish their goals by using physical strength, creative thinking, and sometimes, dumb luck.

The selections in the first section, “Dragon Primer,” introduce readers to the broad spectrum of these mythical creatures as well as their basic characteristics. “Fire and Brimstone” presents traditional tales of fierce confrontations between resolute warriors and raging beasts, while “The Softer Side” proves that dragons can be downright lovable. “The Jester’s Gallery” contains books that will elicit giggles galore. Finally, “A-Questing We Will Go” features characters who take on challenges that often require them to seek the help of others, discover hidden abilities, and test their mettle.

These tales, exquisitely envisioned, artfully written, and imaginatively illustrated, contain many of the elements that have kept people interested in dragons for centuries. They portray individuals who must summon the courage and resolve to face their most fundamental fears. They depict a world reduced to crises and then returned to order. And, perhaps most importantly, they hint at the magical wonder of the unknown.

BASE, Graeme. The Discovery of Dragons. illus. by author. Abrams. 1996. Tr $18.95. ISBN 0-8109-3237-7.

Gr 4-8 –Pseudo-scientist Rowland W. Greasebeam introduces the three classes of Dragon (European, Asiatic, and Tropical), presenting timeworn letters penned by the individuals who made first contact: a 9th-century Viking meanderer, a demure 13th-century Chinese maiden, and a muddle-minded Victorian cartographer. Base pairs resplendent renderings of razor-clawed reptiles with comic-book-style friezes, re-creating the antic adventures of the “Founding Fathers” (and “Mother”) of “modern Serpentology.”

DRAKE, Ernest. Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons. illus. by Helen Ward, Wayne Anderson, & Douglas Carrel. Candlewick. 2003. Tr $19.99. ISBN 0-7636-2329-6.

Gr 3-7 –In this tongue-in-cheek treatise, designed to mimic an antiquarian manuscript, 19th-century dragonologist Drake details the evolution, physiology, behavior, and–for the stouthearted–tracking and taming of magnificent beasts. Replete with precise pen-and-ink sketches, elegant full-color paintings, and touchable “scale” samples, this browser’s delight combines humor with familiar and freshly imagined bits of lizard lore.

GIBBONS, Gail. Behold…the Dragons! illus. by author. Morrow. 1999. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-688-15526-X; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-688-15527-8.

K-Gr 4 –From classical dragons to neodragons, from China’s imperial icon to the fearsome foes of Beowulf and St. George, Gibbons describes the origins of these mythical monsters, their place in folklore, and their appeal as symbols of strength and courage. Lithe watercolor paintings, awash with bright hues, capture the splendor and allure of these oft-celebrated creatures.

PENNER, Lucille Recht. Dragons. illus. by Peter Scott. Random. 2004. PLB $11.89. ISBN 0-307-46417-2; pap. $3.99. ISBN 0-307-26417-3.

Gr 2-5 –After speculating about how dragon myths may have originated, Penner introduces various creatures from different cultures, briefly highlighting behavior and physical attributes. This colorfully illustrated beginning chapter book also presents snippets of related legends and tales that will whet readers’ appetites for more fully fleshed-out versions.

PRELUTSKY, Jack. The Dragons Are Singing Tonight. illus. by Peter Sís. HarperCollins. 1993. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-688-09645-X; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-688-12511-5; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-688-16162-6.

Gr 1-4 –Whether fierce, funny, friendly, fiery, or fizzled-out, all of the scaled beasts featured in these 17 poems are irresistible. Filled with jaunty rhythms, vivacious vocabulary, and playful imagery, the verses are read-aloud jewels, while the fanciful paintings depict each dragon with humor, mystery, and majesty.

YOLEN, Jane. Here There Be Dragons. illus. by David Wilgus. Harcourt. 1993. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-15-209888-7; pap. $13. ISBN 0-15-201705-4.

Gr 3-8 –Crossing several genres (e.g., science fiction, fantasy, and folklore) and incorporating a variety of tones (spine-tingling, pensive, humorous, etc.), this sumptuous smorgasbord of 13 original stories and poems depicts an intriguing array of dragons. An imagination-stretching collection adorned with whimsical pencil sketches.

HAGUE, Michael, sel. The Book of Dragons. illus. by selector. HarperCollins. 1995. Tr $21.99. ISBN 0-688-10879-2; pap. $9.99. ISBN 0-06-075968-2.

Gr 3-8 –This handsome compilation of classic lore includes myths and folktales, stories by authors such as Kenneth Grahame and E. Nesbit, and excerpts from the work of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Exquisite watercolor paintings and polished pen-and-ink sketches depict menacing monsters and resolute heroes, echoing the once-upon-a-time tone.

HODGES, Margaret. Saint George and the Dragon. illus. by Trina Schart Hyman. Little, Brown. 1984. Tr $16.95. ISBN 0-316-36789-3; pap. $7.99. ISBN 0-316-36795-8.

Gr 1-5 –Based on Edmund Spencer’s Faerie Queene, this mellifluous retelling blends drama with descriptive language to recount the epic battle between the Red Cross Knight and a terrifying lizard with iron teeth and blazing eyes. This quintessential hero-versus-dragon tale is fittingly illustrated with formal, romanticized paintings framed by delicate borders.

MORPURGO, Michael, retel. Beowulf. illus. by Michael Foreman. Candlewick. 2006. RTE $17.99. ISBN 0-7636-3206-6.

Gr 4 Up –In this rousing retelling of an epic tale, greathearted Beowulf faces the “flesh-feasting” Grendel, the fiend’s vicious and vengeful mother, and, many years later, a “rage-roaring,” “death-dealing” dragon. The regally cadenced narrative brims with tongue-tingling language and gruesome details, as limbs are severed and warriors devoured, while lush watercolor-and-pastel paintings mirror the text’s grimness and grandeur.

ROTH, Susan L. Brave Martha and the Dragon. illus. by author. Dial. 1996. Tr $14.99. ISBN 0-8037-1852-7.

K-Gr 3 –When a fiery dragon threatens the people of Tarascon, France, a quiet young traveler arrives in the village and secretly takes on the beast, armed only with the sash from her dress and her unflinching courage. Starring a serenely stalwart heroine, this folktale from Provence is exquisitely illustrated with cut-paper and flower-patterned-fabric collages.

WIESNER, David & Kim Kahng, retels. The Loathsome Dragon. illus. by David Wiesner. Clarion. 2005. RTE $16. ISBN 0-618-54359-7.

K-Gr 4 –Bewitched by her jealous stepmother, fair Princess Margaret is transformed into a rapacious monster, and the spell can only be broken if her wandering brother returns within a year to deliver three kisses. Rooted in English folklore, this stirring story of steadfast siblings is adorned with watercolor paintings that feature a gentle-eyed dragon and a determined hero.

YOLEN, Jane. Merlin and the Dragons. illus. by Li Ming. Dutton. 1995. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-525-65214-0; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-14-055891-8.

Gr 2-5 –When young Arthur is troubled by nightmares, Merlin tells him about another long-ago boy whose dreams prophesized the defeat of a ruthless tyrant by Uther Pendragon, the courageous knight who later became High King–and Arthur’s father. Majestic paintings convey Arthur’s emotions as he comprehends his royal lineage and depict thrilling action scenes, including a to-the-death battle between two fire-breathers.

CHERRY, Lynne. The Dragon and the Unicorn. illus. by author. Harcourt. 1995. RTE $16. ISBN 0-15-224193-0; pap. $7. ISBN 0-15-201888-3.

K-Gr 3 –When humans arrive in the pristine Ardet Forest and begin to wreak destruction, a dragon and a unicorn befriend the king’s gentle-hearted daughter and teach her about the importance of preserving the vitality and variety of their surroundings. An environmental fairy tale, lushly illustrated with watercolor paintings bordered by intertwining vines and detailed vignettes.

DEPAOLA, Tomie. The Knight and the Dragon. illus. by author. Putnam. 1980. Tr $17.99. ISBN 0-399-20707-4; pap. $5.99. ISBN 0-698-11623-2.

PreS-Gr 2 –Having never before engaged in battle, two adversaries prepare for a confrontation by consulting manuals and honing skills; however, when the big moment arrives, neither participant has the heart to carry through and it’s up to the castle librarian to think of a more conciliatory resolution. A winning tale of friendship.

GRAHAME, Kenneth. The Reluctant Dragon. illus. by Inga Moore. Candlewick. 2004. RTE $17.99. ISBN 0-7636-2199-4.

Gr 1-4 –After befriending a poetry-penning, peace-loving leviathan, a quick-witted boy concocts a clever plan to protect his new pal from narrow-minded townsfolk and the sword-wielding St. George. Filled with lighthearted moments and droll drama, this abridgment offers a fresh perspective on a beloved tale, enhanced by captivating colored-pencil illustrations in sun-warmed shades.

MAYHEW, James. Who Wants a Dragon? illus. by Lindsey Gardiner. Scholastic. 2004. PLB $15.95. ISBN 0-439-67237-6.

PreS-Gr 1 –Searching for someone to love him, a lost baby dragon approaches several individuals, including a witch, a knight, and a princess, but is repeatedly rejected as too fearsome, until his mother finally returns to “cuddle him, and kiss him, and help him sleep tight.” A reassuring tale with buoyant rhymes, cotton-candy-colored pastels, and a sweet-faced protagonist.

THOMAS, Shelley Moore. Good Night, Good Knight. illus. by Jennifer Plecas. Dutton. 2000. Tr $13.99. ISBN 0-525-46326-7; pap. $3.99. ISBN 0-14-230201-5.

PreS-Gr 2 –After hearing a loud roar in the forest, a brave knight hurries to investigate, only to discover three tiny pajama-clad dragons in need of tucking in. Featuring wide-eyed hatchlings and a kindhearted cavalier, this easy-to-read adventure combines simple language and cozy watercolor cartoons with loads of charm.

COVILLE, Bruce. The Dragon of Doom. illus. by Katherine Coville. S & S. 2003. RTE $14.95. ISBN 0-689-85754-3.; pap. $3.99. ISBN 0-689-85757-8.

Gr 2-4 –Young Edward is thrilled to be working for Moongobble, a kind but bumbling magician-in-training who has just moved to town, and eagerly joins the elderly novice on a quest—involving a deadly dragon—that will prove the prospective conjurer’s spell-making abilities to the Society of Magicians. A fast-reading beginning chapter book chock-full of entertaining escapades and funny instances of magic-gone-wrong. Audio version available from Full Cast Audio.

COWELL, Cressida. How to Train Your Dragon: By Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. illus. by author. Little, Brown. 2004. Tr $10.99. ISBN 0-316-73737-2.

Gr 3-6 –To become a true Viking, Hiccup must capture and train a dragon, and although everyone pokes fun at the boy (who has more brains than brawn) and his scrawny scaled sidekick (appropriately named Toothless), the unlikely heroes use their courage and creativity to save the tribe from danger. An uproarious adventure peppered with irreverent humor and hilarious sketches.

HOWARD, Arthur. Serious Trouble. illus. by author. Harcourt. 2003. RTE $16. ISBN 0-15-202664-9.

PreS-Gr 2 –Young Prince Ernest would rather be court jester than king; however, his chuckle-producing abilities are challenged when he meets a three-headed dragon and agrees to make the monster guffaw–or be eaten. A zany romp with humorous loose-lined watercolor cartoons in sky-bright hues.

MAYHEW, James. The Knight Who Took All Day. illus. by author. Scholastic. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-439-74829-1.

K-Gr 2 –A vainglorious knight primps and fusses prior to facing a fire-breathing dragon, while the princess he had hoped to impress quietly dons armor, tames the winged beast, and then flies off with the man’s squire for a happily-ever-after ending. Pastel-hued cartoons tell much of the comical story and keep readers a step ahead of the clueless cavalier.

NASH, Ogden. Custard the Dragon and the Wicked Knight. illus. by Lynn Munsinger. Little, Brown. 1996. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-316-59882-8; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-316-59905-0.

K-Gr 4 –When young Belinda is snatched away by sinister Sir Garagoyle, it’s up to her “chickenhearted” pet dragon to muster his courage and fly to the rescue. Rollicking rhymes, witty wordplay, and over-the-top humor make for read-aloud fun, while effervescent watercolors accentuate the upbeat tone and sweet-as-pie ending.

SCIESZKA, Jon. Knights of the Kitchen Table. illus. by Lane Smith. Viking. 1991. Tr $14.99. ISBN 0-670-83622-2; pap. $4.99. ISBN 0-14-240043-2.

Gr 2-5 –Catapulted back in time by a magic book, Joe, Fred, and Sam find themselves face to face with a mammoth knight, a voracious giant, and a fire-breathing dragon–as well as a pushy wizard. Illustrated with amusing black-and-white drawings, this visit to King Arthur’s Camelot features quick-witted characters, snappy dialogue, and rapid-fire action.

BELL, Hilari. The Prophecy. HarperCollins. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-059943-X; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-059944-7.

Gr 5-8 –Prince Perryn knows that his warrior father considers his scholarly pursuits to be useless, so when the bookish youngster unearths a prophesy revealing the elements needed to defeat a kingdom-crushing dragon–a truehearted bard, a unicorn, and a mythical sword–he undertakes a perilous quest to prove his worth. A suspenseful tale of self-discovery, tempered with touches of humor.

CHRISTIAN, Peggy. The Bookstore Mouse. illus. by Gary Lippincott. Harcourt. 1995. Tr $17. ISBN 0-15-200203-0; pap. $5.95. ISBN 0-15-204564-3.

Gr 4-6 –A vocabulary-hoarding mouse burrows into an antique storybook, where he meets a young stumble-tongued scribe. Together, they embark on an expedition to rescue four troubadours held prisoner by Censor, the dragon that plans to squash their stories…and their lives. Filled with imaginative wordplay and humorous double meanings, this fable proves that language is mightier than the sword.

COOMBS, Kate. The Runaway Princess. Farrar. 2006. Tr $17. ISBN 0-374-35546-0.

Gr 4-7 –When Princess Meg’s father promises her hand in marriage to the prince who can vanquish a witch, a dragon, and a notorious bandit, the feisty 15-year-old resolves to win the contest herself. A rip-roaring adventure featuring a cast of enchanting–and often enchanted–characters, plot twists, and a pleasing mix of magic and mayhem.

COOPER, Susan. The Magician’s Boy. illus. by Serena Riglietti. S & S. 2005. Tr $14.95. ISBN 0-689-87622-X; pap. $6.99. ISBN 1-4169-1555-9.

Gr 2-4 –During a puppet performance of “Saint George and the Dragon,” the knight marionette goes missing, and the Magician sends his young assistant to the Land of Story to retrieve it. Simple vocabulary and ebullient illustrations relate how the compassionate boy aids fairy-tale characters in distress, faces the fabled beast, and quietly takes on the role of hero.

COVILLE, Bruce. The Dragon slayers. illus. by Katherine Coville. S & S. 1994. Tr $14. ISBN 0-671-89036-0; pap. $4.99. ISBN 0-671-79832-4.

Gr 4-6 –Three dubious champions–the world’s oldest squire, a steadfast servant boy, and a strong-willed princess in disguise–take on King Mildred’s challenge to vanquish the man-eating dragon that is ravaging the kingdom. Likable characters, entertaining coincidences, and a liberal dose of magic combine in this fast-paced, satisfying adventure.

LEVINE, Gail Carson. The Two Princesses of Bamarre. HarperCollins. 2001. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-029315-2; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-029316-0; pap. $6.99. ISBN 0-06-057580-8.

Gr 4-7 –Timid Princess Addie has always been looked after by her more intrepid older sister, but when Meryl falls ill with the Gray Death, Addie is determined to go questing for a cure. In this well-imagined fantasy set in a world teeming with magic and monsters, a hesitant heroine must outsmart a knowledge-hoarding dragon and confront her own fears.

MCALLISTER, Angela. Digory the Dragon Slayer. illus. by Ian Beck. Bloomsbury. 2006. Tr $14.95. ISBN 1-58234-722-0; pap. $5.95. ISBN 1-58234-912-6.

Gr 3-5 –After Digory returns home toting a tremendous tooth that he found in the forest, the villagers assume that he conquered a dragon. Squire Paunch knights him and sends him off adventuring, but the young daydreamer would rather wield a lute than a sword. McAllister’s lighthearted, easy-to-read tale, illustrated with black-and-white cartoons, reveals how an accidental knight becomes a true hero.

PRIOR, Natalie Jane. Lily Quench and the Dragon of Ashby. illus. by Janine Dawson. Puffin. 1999. pap. $4.99. ISBN 0-14-240020-3.

Gr 3-5 –When Lily, the last in a family of dragon slayers, is summoned to dispatch a fire-breather, she soon discovers that her supposed foe is actually a friend and the two embark on a quest to free the kingdom of Ashby from a terrible tyrant and restore the rightful ruler to the throne. A compelling adventure filled with wonder, danger, and self-discovery.

WREDE, Patricia C. Dealing with Dragons. Harcourt. 1990. Tr $17. ISBN 0-15-222900-0.

Gr 5-8 –Bored with the much-too-proper, tradition-bound life of a princess, 16-year-old Cimorene runs away and volunteers to become servant and companion to a powerful dragon—a position that places her in a whirlwind of magic, intrigue, and adventure. Featuring a charismatic can-do heroine, this book provides page-turning action while gently poking fun at fairy-tale conventions.