Saint George and the Dragon

Customer Reviews:

AMAZING illustrations, good telling..........2007-07-08

I am extremely picky when it comes to illustrations and this book makes it to my top ten list. To give you an idea of my taste -- others in the top ten include "In the Night Kitchen" and "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs". I think detailed illustrations really capture a child's imagination and wow, does this book have detail! You will find something new with each reading. So, for illustration aficionados this book is a must have!

Now, for the content...I'll admit it seems a bit dense for a children's book, but when you consider the source (Edmund Spencer's "The Faerie Queen") it's not really surprising. In the end I think I would have been disappointed with a watered down version to go along with the superb illustrations. Even very young children will be enchanted by the illustrations. I have read it often to my three year old daughter and she remains silently captivated for the entire reading.

Best Book Ever!.......2007-01-30

I bought this book for my 9 year old homeschooled son as a fun addition to his medieval history studies. He loved this book!

My son would like to add, "Great pictures! I understood everything as if it were a movie. I recommend it to everybody who likes medieval stuff!!!!!"

Lovely book.......2006-12-26

Our two grandsons love this book (ages 4 and 5) - plenty of knightly valor, and lovely illustrations. Not too gory slaying of a dragon! (That's the most admired page!) One grandson took it to school as his favorite book.

My three year old's favorite!!.......2006-12-20

My three year old son knows this book by heart, I'm sure he imagines himself the dragon-slayer and winning the heart of the lovely Una.

Saint George and the Dragon.......2006-11-14

My six year old son (okay, six and three quarters) and I enjoy this story. It is a bit longer than most children's books - sometimes we require two bedtimes to read through it. It is, however, one of the more accurate and authentic tellings of the story of Saint George and the Dragon - includes the Dragon's tail and paw being chopped off (may not be appropriate for younger or more sensitive kids). The illustrations are incredible - some of the background characters actually "look" toward the reader(s). My son enjoys playing "I Spy" with the details of the illustrations. I highly recommend this to anyone searching for an accurate telling of this tale.

St. George and the Dragon and the Quest for the Holy Grail

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Start Your Journey
What you need to know about life
Life Changing Experience
Theology for Everyone
Parables that Appeal to Everyone!

St. George and the Dragon and the Quest for the Holy Grail
Edward Hays
Manufacturer: Forest of Peace Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0939516071

Customer Reviews:

Start Your Journey.......2004-02-13

This is an excellent book for anyone who is navigating a personal spiritual journey. We used this book in a church study group and the discussions it generated were lively and interesting. Although I think I would have enjoyed this book if I had read it by myself, having a group to share with and an informed spiritual leader deepened my understanding.
Edward Hays has an amazing talent for gently waking up spiritual areas in the brain.

What you need to know about life.......2002-07-25

As I was sitting on a bench at the end of a long desolate road, slowly sipping my oolong tea, when I pulled out this book and began to read. Oh the joy. I breezed through the pages as my mind wandered throught the wonderful tales that Mr. Hays spins. I couldn't put the book down and the memories and myths will stay with me for a long time. I recommend this book to anyone that is trying to find their spiritual inner self.

Life Changing Experience.......2000-05-30

I was a senior in High School when I was first introduced to this author. At that time in my life I seeked guidance in a spiritual sense but found few sources from society to help me. A theology teacher showed me 3 parables from Hays' writing and I quickly went out to buy the book. I won't try to explain the messages you get from this book because everyone takes away something different from reading it. Look at the other reviews and decide for yourself but this book is definetly worth the price and you won't spend too much time reading it since the book's length isn't all that long. Although be forewarned you will probably find yourself picking this book up off the shelf after completing it. I don't think I know anyone who has read it only once.

Theology for Everyone.......1999-06-24

Fr. Hays is a gifted storyteller. His parables find their way through cynicism and doubt, and work in the reader's heart at a profound level. Having read nearly all of Fr. Hays's books, I recommend _St. George and the Dragon_ as a starting place for his compassionate, loving, inclusive, and atavistic theology. It is the story of a man with a deep spiritual longing who is uncertain how to fulfill it. His mentor appears in the form of an ancient dragon offering assistance, guidance, and a slyly humorous wisdom. This is not a book to be read once and put aside, nor is it a book to be read quickly. It will seem new-age-y to some readers, but it isn't. It will appeal to those who are hurting, those who are young at heart, teenagers, and especially to those whose religious background includes ritual. Everyone embarking on, or already on, a spiritual journey will find something holy here.

Parables that Appeal to Everyone!.......1998-07-15

Edward Hays is a tremendously gifted writer and a thought-provoking theologian. His parables are truly amusing, but at the same time offer the reader much to think about. Hays has the rare ability to write for many levels. This book was recommended to me by a member of the clergy, but I have shared several stories with young teenagers who are just beginning to grapple with their own spirituality.

Reading this book was a personally rewarding experience. The best part is that when I pick it up again in a year or two, I will have completely new insights. It is a book about a spiritual journey that meets you where you are on your own spiritual journey.

Book Description

With the help of a bright little boy, a poetic dragon defies stereotypes in a humorous tale by the author of THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, abridged and splendidly illustrated by Inga Moore.

Dragons are a scourge and must be abolished — at least, that's what all the villagers say. It doesn't seem to matter that this particular dragon wouldn't hurt a fly and is more than content to laze by his cave and make up poetry. He certainly doesn't want to fight, though it seems he will have no choice when St. George arrives on his warhorse with golden armor gleaming, carrying the longest, wickedest spear you ever did see. Still, the dragon does have one friend — the shepherd's son, a small boy with a great deal of sense and imagination. Will he find a way to solve the dragon¹s dilemma?

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful book........2007-02-11

Fanciful and charming. I enjoyed reading it to my nephew and he loved it too. The artwork is lovely also. I'm looking forward to reading it again, with or without my nephew.

fun.......2006-07-06

this is a great kids book. and even i love anything that rhymes. thank you so much.

Cute kids book... Prefer no abridging.......2005-09-07

I bought this book for my future child (due Feb 2006) as part of my growing library. I read it through and thought it was cute, if a bit antiquated (what do you expect for a book that was written over 100 years ago?) Basically, a young boy befriends a dragon. When the townsfolk realize the dragon exists, they call upon a champion to vanquish him, blaming the dragon for crimes that he didn't commit. The boy talks to the champion about his friend and they all agree to stage a fight, rather than fight to the death. Once the play fight is over (the champion only gives the dragon a small flesh wound), it is agreed by all that the dragon will not harm anyone and the townsfolk will stop telling lies about the dragon. Nice moral story.

My only problem with the book is that it has been "sensitively abridged". I'm not sure what that means for "The Reluctant Dragon", but my "sensitively abridged" copy of "The Wind in the Willows" (also by Kenneth Graham) edits out silly things like "splashes of whitewash all over his black fur". If the book has to be so politically correct that it can't even refer to the color of an animal's fur, I'm not sure that I really want to associate with the edition. I'd be curious to compare this edition of "The Reluctant Dragon" with the original text now.

A Separate Peace.......2005-04-28

The original "St. George and the Dragon" story is a frightening tale. Depending on which version you read, the townspeople give the scaly, stinking, vicious, dragon tribute of two sheep per day, and, when they invariably run out of sheep, they begin feeding it their own children. The King is obviously horrified, but what can he do? However, when the lottery selects his own daughter, who should appear but Sir George, (later the patron Saint of England) just in time for the king, if not for the subjects. The daughter worries for his safety, but the knight spears the dragon in its one vulnerable spot, then in a gallant display, borrows the daughter's girdle to drag the wounded dragon down to the town. For his own tribute, George asks only that the citizens become baptized; after this, he cuts off the dragon's head. Not a good ending for the dragon, but then, he wasn't a very nice dragon.

Like others before him, Kenneth Grahame modified this bloody tale for the consumption of the very young, and turned it completely on its head. This dragon would rather sleep than slay, purr than prey, and his true nature is discovered by a tow-headed young boy who gradually becomes friends with the pacifist, poetry-loving beast ("why I wouldn't hurt a fly."). Lay low, he advises him. Naturally, though, St. George arrives, and everyone acts as expected--except for the dragon. He simply refuses to attend his own demise:

"Well, tell him [St. George] to go away," said the dragon. "I'm sure he's not nice. Say he can write if he likes. But I won't see him." The boy, however, understands the underlying social pressures (which echo those of the British class system during Grahame's time) and replies: "But you've got to," said the boy. "You've got to fight him, you know, because he's St. George and you're the dragon."

The dragon, the knight, and the young boy, a person with neither power nor social distinction, make a plan. The plan is simple: Fake it. And so, like one of Vince McMahon's TV "wrestling" matches, St. George and the Dragon have it out, with flames and fury, and, as St. George just barely pierces the dragon in a pre-arranged safe spot. The townspeople, who have brought picnics for the presumed slaughter, were satisfied with the spectacle: "And all the others were happy because there had been a fight, and-well, they didn't need any other reason."

The original story, one of several short studies published in Grahame's "Dream Days" (1898, ten years before Grahame's most famous and beloved work, "The Wind in the Willows") may be found at http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=GraDrea.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=7&division=div1. Grahame wrote "The Reluctant Dragon" long at times, and one sees his concerns with religion and nature so evident in the river adventure scene of Wind in the Willows. Inga Moore takes out most of the slower, descriptive narrative (which might be enjoyed by older readers), and focuses instead on the dragon/boy/St. George relationships and the exciting battle. Compare the following excerpts (the first is Grahame's); this is great abridgement except for the inexplicable deletion of the last sentence, a very funny, modernist touch by Graham:

1. Then a cloud of smoke obscured the mouth of the cave, and out of the midst of it the dragon himself, shining, sea-blue, magnificent, pranced splendidly forth; and everybody said, "Oo-oo-oo!" as if he had been a mighty rocket! His scales were glittering, his long spiky tail lashed his sides, his claws tore up the turf and sent it flying high over his back, and smoke and fire incessantly jetted from his angry nostrils. "Oh, well done, dragon!" cried the Boy, excitedly. "Didn't think he had it in him!" he added to himself.
2. Then a cloud of smoke billowed from the mouth of the cave, and out of the midst of it the dragon himself, shining, sea-blue, magnificent, pranced splendidly forth; and everybody said, "Oo-oo-oo!" His scales were glittering, his long spiky tail lashed his sides, his claws tore up the turf and sent it flying high over his back, and smoke and fire jetted from his nostrils. "Oh, well done, dragon!" cried the Boy, excitedly. "Didn't think he had it in him!" he added to himself.

Moore also displays great taste and talent in her beautiful colored pencil and ink drawings. She draws landscapes and houses in a traditional style with meticulous shading and detail, trees show the undertones of illustration from a 1912 publication. The friendly, easygoing dragon is drawn showing an easy confidence and an engaging smile, but he's actor enough to look ferocious when required. He's drawn in one of the most striking shades of blue since the ceramic in the movie "Diva." Overall, Inga Moore honors the original Grahame story while making the story and pictures maximally entertaining for young children. Publisher Candlewick has done it again; this is an extraordinary book.

The definitive edition.......2005-03-11

(The following is a review of "The Reluctant Dragon" by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Ernest Shepard and published by Holiday House. It also appears on reviews for other editions.)

Just as Ernest Shepard's illustrations for "The Wind in the Willows" set the standard, so, too, do his drawings capture the essence of "The Reluctant Dragon."

The tale itself is well known. A dragon emerges from a cave overlooking the Downs at the outskirts of a village and only a spunky shepherd's son is brave enough to befriend the sonnet-composing critter. Over time, the dragon's existence becomes the talk of the town and St. George is called in to dispatch this evil scourge that has wrought so much death and destruction, uh, so much theft and vandalism, er, well, actually, hasn't kidnapped a princess, devoured a horse or even stolen a single chicken, but, blimey, he's a dragon and he jolly well might, you know!

The Boy is caught in the middle with St. George insisting that he must battle the dragon, and the dragon solidly refusing to raise so much as a single claw against anyone, let alone St. George. All three put their heads together and formulate a plan to satisfy the battle-monger villagers while sparing both the life of the dragon and St. George's reputation.

Ernest Shepard's illustrations are masterpieces of understatement featuring nothing but line work to portray the Boy's book-learned confidence, the dragon's sheer size and bulk, and St. George's movie-star pin-up good looks. They are illustrations in the truest sense, tickling the reader's imagination instead of repeating in visual form what the author has already drawn with words in the reader's mind. Particularly humorous is St. George's wide-eyed horse, who appears to be never fully at ease with the dragon.

Newer illustrated editions might be more detailed and in full color, but compared to this one, they appear overblown and overdone, an illustrator's showcase at the expense of the story. Ernest Shepard had the good sense and restraint to let the story tell itself and simply embellish a moment here, a bit of action there. Holiday House honors both creators by avoiding unnecessary alteration or abridgement. The result is a literary and visual picnic.

The Woman and the Dragon: Apparitions of Mary

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A Baha'i Perspective
Great, but.....
The Woman and the Dragon: Apparitions of Mary.
Her Warnings, Our Struggles, and Inspiration

The Woman and the Dragon: Apparitions of Mary
David Michael Lindsey
Manufacturer: Pelican Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1565547314

Customer Reviews:

A Baha'i Perspective.......2007-02-25

This neglects to connect the image of Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness, (in Genesis) with the concept that the Woman in Revelation 12 may represent the religion of Muhammad that sprang from the Ishmaelites. In one the earth brings forth water, in the other, it takes it in.
Moreover, the twelve stars of her crown have been interpreted as the 12 Imams of the Shí'ih, the sun with which she is clothed, the kingdom of Persia, where her Child, the Promised Qa'im of the House of Muhammad arose in 1844, which is 1260 AH. The wilderness is Arabia, where the Point of Adoration was moved from Jerusalem (and has been moved again).
The moon is the Ottoman Sultanate.
The Climax of the conflict is when the Dragon, representing the names of the Umayyad Caliphs, who were always trying to kill the descendants of the Prophet, is defeated by "Archangel Michael" who is believed by Baha'is to be Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophetic Founder. The seven heads are the dominions they ruled.
So the time, place and lineage of the Promised One is foretold, but far be it for most Christians to accept His Holiness Muhammad, let alone the Messiah of Islam.

Great, but............2002-09-05

Combines history with the apparitions of Mary giving incite to the messages given and the reasons for her appearance. As a Catholic I feel better informed about Mary. A book hard to put down once opened.

However a lot must taken with a grain of salt. Some of the events/person he focuses on are not approved by the church if not banned. Plus it would turn off any non-Catholic with his "the Catholic church is the only True church". Many views are that of a very conservative Catholic. Much is written from the defence of the church- not mentioning the many things the church has inflicted on the world and why people fell away. However the chuch has been bashed a lot over the years and its a nice change to see a defence.

I'm surprised he calls himself a biologist and chemist because he calls many recent inventions such as the internet and the computer as the root cause of the many evils of todays world. Plus he has no love for Darwin, which any biologist has to give credit for many scientific advances today, plus the Pope even recognizes the great quantities of scientific proof (for creation of everything but the soul). He forgets that many of todays tools are double edged tools and the use is determined by the person using it.

You read his version of the anti-Christ and you wonder if we the U.S. are it.

The Woman and the Dragon: Apparitions of Mary........2002-06-28

David Michael Lindsey has my gratitude for such an indepth study of the Blessed Virgin's historical apparitions. I have been a serious student of her life, work, and apparitions. Yet, Michael has allowed me to learn much more concerning real history in the making of the world for which I now have a much clearer perception of Her Work in the interest of humanity.

To awaken to one's own blindness, is a sad thing.

Michael's excellent literary skills makes for clarity in understanding what has not been understood. Many important details have come to light without which it is difficult to understand Her. It is a book you cannot put down at day's end.

Her Warnings, Our Struggles, and Inspiration.......2001-02-07

Upon beginning this book I had anticipated information regards to the apparitions alone. Yet, the author has done extensive research in completing this wonderful literature which includes much, much more. I cried as I read the struggles of all the human races and Christianity; and, again because of Mary's enormous love to warn us of such atrocities. I have read many other Marian books and, this is among the elite of those titles. I would recomend The Woman and the Dragon to those who are seeking information about our Blessed Mother, and how her love for us exists for all time.

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Wag the Dog.
A Treasure!
Andrew's book Report
But who Illustrate's This Version - Marlene Ekman?
Reading level is age 8 and above

The Reluctant Dragon
Kenneth Grahame
Manufacturer: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0805008020

Book Description

When a dragon is discovered up on the Downs, the Boy is not in the least surprised. He's always known the cave there was a dragon cave, so it seems only right for a dragon to be living in it.The Boy decides to pay a visit to the cave, and he thinks he knows just what to expect. But this particular dragon is not a bit like the ones in fairy tales!

Customer Reviews:

Wag the Dog........2004-02-06

This delightful story tells the tale of a boy who meets a kindly dragon on the edge of town. The boy and the dragon become friends and start spending a lot of time together. Then the people of the town find out about the dragon and send for St. George. The boy meets with St. George and takes him to meet the dragon. All three soon become friends and find themselves in a quandry. George doesn't want to kill the dragon and the dragon has no desire to kill George. A plan is hatched and at the end of the story everyone lives happily.

It's really great reading this to younger children. It's got a great message about not prejudging others. It also shows how people can sometimes get everything they want, without anyone having to get hurt by it. That doesn't happen often, but it's nice to be reminded now and again that it can.

A Treasure!.......2002-05-11

Author of historical fiction.

This book is a treasure for your library. It brings endless pleasure, and is the kind of story that spans all ages.

It is the tale of a boy and his dragon who lives up on the Downs. In spite of the bad reputation dragons have, the boy and he become quick friends. Saint George shows up to do battle with the reluctant lizard, and the boy arranges a mock battle, unbeknown to the villagers that pleases everyone.

Andrew's book Report.......2001-11-01

(...) THE BOOK IS ABOUT THIS BOY WHO MEETS THIS DRAGON AND THEY
BEACOME FRIENDS THE DRAGON TELLS THE BOY STORY AND NONE ARE
TRUE. BUT ONE IS TRUE THE DRAGONS FAUTHER DIED WHEN A KNIGHT
FOUND OUT ABOUT HIM WHEN THE DRAGON WAS LITTLE. THE KID
HEARS ABOUT A KNIGHT NAMED ST. GEORGE HE TELLS ST. GEORGE
ABOUT THE DRAGON. THE NEXT DAY THE KID SHOWS ST. GEORGE THE
THE DRAGON THE DRAGON DID NOT WHANT TO FIGHT. THE NEXT DAY
ST. GEORGE TOLD SOME OF THE DRAGONS TALES TO THE VILLAGE.
THE TALES WHERE ABOUT KNIGHTS AND DRAGONS FIGHTING. THAT
AFTER NOON THE DRAGON HID IN THE CAVE AND ST. GEORGE FAKED
TO KILL THE DRAGON AND WAS FAMOUS.

(...)

But who Illustrate's This Version - Marlene Ekman?.......2000-07-27

I love this story but am interested to know the illustrator. If it is Marlene Ekman's illustrations in the hardcover version then it is the best publication. Her pictures add real life to this wonderful child's story.

Reading level is age 8 and above.......1999-05-19

This is a wonderful story that can be enjoyed by all ages. But because of some of the archaic phrasing I would not recommend it to students under the age of 8.

Average customer rating:

Great book for kids
Tales of the St. Georges
Great Kid's Book
Amazing fun! Ignore the hecklers
dragon hunter

The Saint of Dragons
Jason Hightman
Manufacturer: EOS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060540125
Release Date: 2004-08-17

Book Description

The ancient dragons -- of the time of the legendary Saint George and earlier -- have never disappeared entirely. Instead, they've moved undercover -- and into human society. Now one lonely schoolboy is about to learn where the dragons have gone ...

Educated at boarding schools, Simon St. George has never met his parents. When a ragged-looking man shows up claiming to be his father, Simon is skeptical, and when the man kidnaps him, he's indignant to say the least.

Then the man claims to be a descendant of England's Saint George and a career dragon fighter. Why should Simon believe any of this nonsense? But what if the man is telling the truth? What if the dragons know he's out there?

Rich with the dragon lore of legend, the saint of dragons continues and enlarges on the tale of the centuries-old conflict between dragons and humans that rages even today.

Customer Reviews:

Great book for kids.......2005-12-07

I thought this book was ok. I did enjoy it, but I felt that both the plot and the characters needed more depth. HOWEVER-my 9 year old son and my 11 year old daughter both LOVED it. In fact, I only read it because they both recommended it and because they had enjoyed it so much. The book seems to satisfy the age level for which it was written- and isn't that the point?

Tales of the St. Georges.......2005-08-16

Simon St. George lives at a private school. He has no idea who his parents are as they abandoned him when he was very young. But one day two different men come to the school looking for him; a dignified rich man and a bum. One really is his father. Jason is the last of a line of dragonslayers and his parents have tried to keep him hidden, but the modern dragons, capable of passing for men, now know of his existence.

Jason's father, Aldric St. George, has come to enlist the aid of his son to wipe out the last of the dragons. Along the way they meet a woman touched by magic who joins their quest. But Aldric soon learns there are more dragons than he thought and one of them has plans of destruction on a global scale. Father and son must rise to the occasion to stop the dragons' plans.

Written with the idea of a screenplay in mind, much of the action has a Hollywood feel to it what with plenty of explosions and fire. The plot reads like a series of short adventures and nothing seems very hard (including escaping from somewhere no one has ever escaped from). Like Rowling's books, there are plenty of inconsistencies with details only making sense for a specific scene and then being thrown out the window.

This is the first of a series (a slight excerpt from the next volume appears at the end). The poor writing/plotting will probably not put off many readers but I like my books to be consistent. Proper world-building is important in SF&F but seems to be very weak in many new books. Still, this is a fast read with fun, if not actually tense, action and it should appeal to many readers.

Great Kid's Book.......2005-04-14

THE HARDBACK REVIEWS ARE GOOD, WHY AREN'T THEY HERE FOR THE SAME BOOK IN PAPERBACK? MAKES NO SENSE. I GOT ONE OF THE PAPERBACKS EARLY AND I THINK ANY KID BETWEEN 9 TO 11 OR 12 WOULD REALLY, REALLY ENJOY IT...SOME PEOPLE DON'T GET THAT IT ISN'T FOR OLDER KIDS.
IT HAS SOME OF THE BEST ACTION SCENE SET-UPS FROM ANY BOOK EVER WRITTEN--EVEN IF IT IS CHILDREN'S LITERATURE. YOUR KIND OF AMAZED THAT IT IS SO IMAGINATIVE AS YOU KEEP READING. YOU CAN HARDLY KEEP YOUR BREATH.
WHILE THIS MAY NOT APPEAL TO SOME, IT WILL KEEP ANY KID READING LIKE A MANIAC. THAT'S ALL.

Amazing fun! Ignore the hecklers.......2005-01-03

I was one of those kept up til late at night polishing off The Knight of Dragons. In contrary to what other reviews have posted, I'd say the characters are nicely developed. Indeed, they are complicated, and they are viewed from Simon's point of view. Simon can not be expected to understand or like his father until much further into the narrative. And, as to the artist falling in love with the knight, well, indeed, love is anything but rational.
As to those who don't find the dragons scary enough, I'm from the school that finds the lurking danger is the worst. And a lot of the dangers are very adult in nature. The book has much to do with trust and betrayal.

If you are reading it solely to pick it apart, I'm sure you'll find a way to dismantle it. But you won't get the point of the book, that "dragons" are all around us, and we have to get past the armor we've put on because of life's disappointments to band together and defeat the vicious and amoral circumstances which surround us.

dragon hunter.......2004-12-27

Simon St Saint George is alone in the world. He has never known his parents and has been left at boarding school for years. His life is uneventful until one day a man claiming to be his father shows up at the school and kidnaps him. His father tells him all about his past and his mother. It turns out that his father is the last remaining dragon hunter and he has come to show Simon the dragon hunter way of life. The rest of the book is all about the adventures that he and his father have while trying to kill all of the dragons in the world.

The book moved at a fast pace. It was a real page turner. Hard to put down.

I would recommend this book to children ages 10-12 who enjoy fantasy type books.

Brave Martha and the Dragon: A Tale of Provence

Average customer rating:

a dragon tale for children
This is wonderful tale for children about a forgotten Saint

Brave Martha and the Dragon: A Tale of Provence
Susan L. Roth
Manufacturer: Dial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0803718527

Customer Reviews:

a dragon tale for children.......2005-09-29

My daughter is nearly four and would be frightened by a dragon-taming story such as Saint George and the Dragon, with its detailed description of the fierce battles and the wounds incurred by each party. Brave Martha and the Dragon is based on a Provencal legend and has much more cheerful illustrations (collages of cut paper and fabric) as well as a happier overall tone. The dialogue is humorous and it's a fun book to read aloud. Of course, Martha tames the dragon, which is the basis of a celebratory festival in the French town of Tarascon each year. This would therefore be a good book to read when studying either French culture or dragon legends from around the world. Some of the collages are a little sloppy or confusing which is what prevents me from giving it 5 stars but this a good not-too-scary dragon book which even a young child would enjoy.

This is wonderful tale for children about a forgotten Saint.......1997-12-12

This is a beautifully illustrated book for children. The story takes place in France, and is about St. Martha and how she tamed the terrible Tarasque, a very bad dragon. She brought him to the town of Nerluc, which he had terrorized for so long, and to her dismay, the villagers killed him. Then the citizens changed the name of their town to Tarascon in memory of the dragon.

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ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON
Geraldine Mccaughrean
Manufacturer: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 038526528X
Release Date: 1989-08-01

Lucy's Eyes and Margaret's Dragon: The Lives of the Virgin Saints

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Fantastic Legends of Virgin Saints
Perfect for adults and children alike!
Excellent illustrations and wonderful text
I wish this book was more popular. I really really liked it.

Lucy's Eyes and Margaret's Dragon: The Lives of the Virgin Saints
Giselle Potter
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0811815153

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Legends of Virgin Saints.......2005-11-24

While I have no doubt that the core of the stories are true, there is an element of each story which I consider fantastic. Saint Bega sailing away on a piece of sod. Saint Margaret being eaten by a dragon. Then, when in the dragon's stomach making the sign of the cross [somehow still intact to do so] and bursting for from it whole and unscathed. The stories in their entirety are hard for me to believe.
Though it may be on a fourth grade reading level, I would only recommend it for people mature enough to handle pictures of bare breasts and naked women. As the School Library Journal Editorial Review indicates, these stories are "Filled with cruelty, torture, gore, and ghastly death." It also describes the art work as, "Full-page, delicate, fanciful watercolors show wraithlike figures being dragged naked to brothels, having breasts cut off, being burned, having their throats cut, and suffering other atrocities," At least one complete page of every two open pages has artwork on it and most have art work on the second page as well
The saints whose lives are covered in this book are:
Ursula
Agnes
Cecilia
Agatha
Lucy
Barbara
Bega
Brigid
Christina
Margaret
Catherine
Joan

Perfect for adults and children alike!.......2004-04-25

I first borrowed this book from a public library, and I have to say that its presentation completely surprised me! I knew that I had to own a copy for myself! The refreshingly individual artistic style of the illustrations catch one off-guard at first, because of the disturbing nature of the martyrdom of these virgin saints. But then one realizes that this is an artistic style of illustration that can't be found in any other depiction or publication anywhere, period. The haunting and beautiful illustrations actually become quite memorable and endearing. I think that this book would be a fabulous collector's book for adults, or a beautiful gift to a child as an introduction to the lives of steadfast and strong female saints.

Excellent illustrations and wonderful text.......1999-03-07

In the context of modern times it would be easy to make these women ridiculous but Giselle Potter respects them and the courage of their choices. The book is a lovely, magical tribute to strong women who triumphantly defied male power and violence.

I wish this book was more popular. I really really liked it........1998-12-09

There is something so lovely about his book-- particularly in the illustrations. I adore the style of Potter. I wish it were more popular.

Bad Year for Dragons: The Legend of Saint George

Average customer rating:

Bad Year for Dragons: The Legend of Saint George
John Ryan
Manufacturer: Morehouse Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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