The Reluctant Dragon

Rating:
Summary: Andrew's book Report
Review: (...) 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.

(...)

Rating:
Summary: A Treasure!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Deserves to be better known
Review: I had forgotten this charming children's book, if I had ever known it at all. That is a real shame, and I am very glad to have made or remade its acquaintance.

This book calls out to be read to a small child. On the surface, the premise is just silly. A gentle dragon introduces himself to The Boy, the only name for our young central character, saying "Now don't you hit me!" The dragon is, in his own words, "a confoundedly lazy beggar." The Boy becomes the dragon's friend and critic of the dragon's poetry.

That means there's a real problem to solve when a dragon-slaying Saint George pulls into town. Everyone, the Boy included, wants to see a little excitement between the dragon and St. George. The saint is a reasonable man, however, and sees the merit in putting on a good show without really harming the friendly (if lazy) dragon. I'll let you enjoy the happy details for yourself, and I don't think I spoil the ending by saying that everyone ends up happy and well-fed.

This is a brief, enjoyable story with a Winnie the Pooh pace and drawing-room manner. It's sweet, gentle, and delicately illustrated. I hope that a new generation of readers and readers-to-be discovers this one, and gets the same pleasure from it that I have.

//wiredweird

Rating:
Summary: But who Illustrate's This Version - Marlene Ekman?
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Especially charming... especially rich...
Review: Kenneth Grahame's other wonderful story, retold.
But, this time around, what is especially charming, especially rich,
what makes all the difference is something new: the captivating illustrations.
John Segal's images are much more than simply illustrative additions;
they are a stream of the most beautiful, diminutive, vibrant watercolour paintings.
They make the book.

Mr. Segal's art lends color and life to the story -- and his handwritten
excerpts add a dimensionality and energy to the text -- in a way that you
cannot glean until you have the deliriously gorgeous volume happily in hand.
Perfect.

BTW The story incorporates that ever important, inestimably valuable
moral lesson: things may not be what they first appear to be...
or... what we first (and sometimes erroneously) conclude them to be...
to our happy surprise.

Rating:
Summary: An engaging story of a family who leads a simple, easy life
Review: Robert San Souci expertly retells The Reluctant Dragon: an engaging story of a family who leads a simple, easy life until a fire-breathing dragon moves in. Jack learns the dragon is just a pussycat who would rather read and write than fight knights; but a persistent St. George the Dragon Fighter brings trouble and challenge in this engaging and recommended story of a mock battle and a most unusual friendship.

Rating:
Summary: A classic for all ages.
Review: Thank goodness this classic tale is still available for readers of all ages. The timeless nature of this tale endures. A satisfying tale and delightful ending for everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Wag the Dog.
Review: 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.