The Book of Dragons

by Michael Hague (Editor)

Michael Hauge lends vivid and lavish illustrations to the ultimate collection of classic dragon lore, from Perseus and Andromeda, to St. George and the Dragon. Available for the first time in paperback! o Michael Hague, famous for his illustration of classic tales such as The Hobbit and Wind in the Willows , does what he does best with this vibrant, imaginative depiction of the dragon world. o This comprehensive collection contains re–tellings of Perseus and Andromeda, Sigurd and Fafnir, St. George and the Dragon, as well as writings by C. S. Lewis, Kenneth Grahame, J.R.R. Tolkien, and E. Nesbit. o This paperback has all of the beauty of the hardcover interior at a much more cost–friendly price point. o Publishers Weekly called The Book of Dragons "A deliciously old–fashioned storybook, delivering just the sort of fantasy Hague is best known for." Ages 8+

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Short Stories, Picture Books, Fiction, Mythology, Childrens

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 1995

About the author

Michael Hague is renowned as the illustrator of many children's classics, including editions of The Wizard Of Oz, Peter Pan, The Hobbit, and The Velveteen Rabbit. He also illustrated The Book of Ghosts, Where Fairies Dance, The Book of Wizards, and The Book of Fairy Poetry as well as wrote and illustrated the graphic novel in The Small. Michael lives with his wife, Kathleen, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure exactly what it is about this particular book, but my grandson LOVES it. Of course, you will say it is the dragons, that is obvious, isn't it? Well, yes, I would agree, dragons and dinosaurs are fascinating to little (and big) boys—and some girls too—especially when they are presented in their full terrifying color as they are here. And yet, we have another dragon book, The Book of the Dragon, which is perhaps even more generously illustrated with dragons in all their gory glory, as well as information and stories about them, but he is not interested in that book. I was able to get him to look through it with me on a ‘taking-turns’ basis, but he was just biding time, kindly enduring the wishes of his grandma (humoring me? 😉) until he could get back to ‘his’ dragon book. I surrender!

I can only surmise that this book is enough for him. It is the right size, with just enough information for now and he is happy to go over it many (8 in one day, so my husband said) times and I am the privileged one to share these repetitions with him at this stage of his development—which will pass all too quickly.

And it is an excellent dragon book, full of a variety of dragon stories collected from around the world with sumptuous illustrations. Grandma here just happens to prefer the other book, mentioned above. Tastes, after all vary, right? But keep in mind, who is more likely to be a dragon expert? A little boy or an old lady? 🤔

September 13, 2024: Okay, I surrender, I added the extra star and my grandson wins. He was here again this past Saturday, and we 'read' this again 3 times. Reading this with him means we study the pictures intently and I get to read a few words or tell him about the stories I am familiar with. There is a lot of discussion, speculation and commentary on both sides about dragons mostly, but also sometimes about the spears/swords/other weapons used to kill the dragons, the knights, other animals, people and even occasionally about the stories! 😉 Reading to a three-year-old boy about dragons is GREAT fun! Ten stars for that alone. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[LectoraEstherica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro ha sido muy divertido de leer.

Las historias que más me han gustado han sido "Los salvadores del país" y "Los domadores de dragones", ambos escritos por E. Nesbit, muy graciosos en sus interpretaciones del tiempo y los animales y la crítica pequeñiiita (son historias cortas) a la avaricia y al gobierno.

Todas me han entretenido y me han mantenido con la sonrisa en los labios, si tenéis este libro por vuestras bibliotecas públicas o privadas, ¡no dejéis de echarle un ojo! Solo por sus ilustraciones merece la pena dedicarle un poco de tiempo.
Mi ilustración favorita es la del primer relato, El dragón y la llegua mágica de Italo Calvino.

De Tolkien solo aparece un trocito del Hobbit cuando va a la cueva de Smaug, y el relato de CS Lewis sí me gustó bastante, ¡no vi venir el giro! xD Aunque igual si habéis leído más historias de dragones ya sabéis cuál es.

Por cierto, es una recopilación de relatos muy variados, tanto en autores como de dragones: no me gusta cuando los monstruos son siempre los malos y los matan, y aquí hay de todo.

[Shanna Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Hague is known for his gorgeous illustrations of classic children's literature, and this volume is no disappointment. He has selected a number of good stories about dragons -- traditional fairy tales from Andrew Lang, a selection from Tolkien's The Hobbit, two of Edith Nesbit's short stories, and others. These are illustrated with one wonderful painting per selection, with additional line drawings.

While Grahame has good taste in his selection of stories, there is a wide variety of writing styles and moods, and the effect when read all together is somewhat choppy. Some stories may appeal more than others, and in the excerpts of larger stories the full import of the events will not be fully grasped. The advantage of a compilation like this, though, is that you can always go find "the rest of the story," and in fact most of these selections are short stories which can stand on their own.

While the wonderful paintings will make the book attractive to younger readers, about half of the stories are marked by advanced language. It may be best for the 8-12 age range.

A point of modesty: In the story of Perseus' rescue of Andromeda from the sea serpent, Andromeda is pictured unclothed. Artistically confident adults should be able to draw some clothing for her if this is a concern.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

My favorite stories were the ones I've read elsewhere. If you like the Nesbit selections (and I can't imagine why you wouldn't) be sure to go read her The Book of Dragons. In fact, given the identical titles, I bet that this book got on my list because I wanted to see Hague's art for her book. I'm not, after all, sufficiently interested in dragons to seek out more.

However, I was glad to discover "Li Chi Slays the Serpent" by Kan Pao which is from Moss Roberts' Chinese Fairy Tales and Fantasies. And I was reminded I want to reread The Hobbit.

[Gary Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different selections and portions of books where dragons occurred. Lovely book, a bit thin, and better suited for when I was young. However, I found it in a Little Free Library and could not pass it by. The author selected the stories to have a chance to illustrate them.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of classic tales about dragons, including such familiar stories as "St. George and the Dragon" and "The Reluctant Dragon," along with more obscure fairy tales and even poems. I quite enjoyed seeing two of E. Nesbit's best dragon stories here, as well as making my husband groan (I read this aloud at bedtime) with some of the older stories. (He's got a thing about overly formal language, and long poems.) The illustrations are also fun, although a number of the dragons looked alarmingly like the bizarre mating of a salamander and a troll doll.

[Meredith Henning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seamus reading and narrating.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Hague's beautiful illustrations bring this eclectic collection of dragon stories into vivid imaginative color. We meet dragons and dragon-slayers from Hobbiton to China, from Andrew Lang and CS Lewis and the Brothers Grimm and E Nesbit.

These stories are representative of the diverse weirdness of traditional fairy tales and early fantasy writing. Dragons crept up from the basement floors of our human collective unconscious, and these stories read like dreams.

Lovely!

[Peri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I got it years ago as a library discard, and I've read it many times since to my boys. I've now got it at school with my 2/3 class at lunch and they are LOVING it. I'm thrilled to see them so excited about all the beautiful art in the book as well as the stories. I would recommend this book to all ages who love dragons!

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great collection of stories! Found this gem at goodwill, get yourself a copy if you're kids like dragons! Looking forward to reading some other stories from the authors I found in this book, such as E. Nesbit.

[Katharine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The two tales by E. Nesbit included were quite good, but not so much the others- which were either oddly plucked from longer volumes or not especially well-told.

[John Rimmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read with the boys. Bite-sized stories for bedtime that often led to jumping on the beds and talk of dragon slaying!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book of short dragon tales includes stories from familiar authors C. S. Lewis, the Brothers Grimm and J. R. R. Tolkien. From the silly to the serious, they are a delight to read.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent art work and a fun collection of stories.

[H.V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book since I was a kid, and I love rereading it every few years.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who loves dragons? Me love dragons!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fun book full of dragon lore, both familiar and unfamiliar. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Only thing I would like is more!

[Marisa ZK Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the coolest books I own! I had no idea that cats exist because of a dragon!!

[Ehryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of some of the classic dragon stories, though there were some newer ones thrown in. I liked the selection and art, though a couple stories fell flat for me.

[Joshua Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book of Dragons is a unique book composed of many different stories, legends, and fables of the awe inspiring dragons. What also makes this book unique is that Michael Hague has selected these stories and has given thirty-six breathtaking illustrations of scenes in the stories.
This book includes the stories of; The Dragon and The Filly, The Adventures of Eustace, Perseus and Andromeda, The Reluctant Dragon, The Flower Queen's Daughter, Li Chi Slays The Serpent, Bilbo Baggins and Smaug, Uncle Lubin and The Dragon, The Deliverers of Their Country, The Devil and His Grandmother, Sigurd and Fafnir, The Story of Wang Li, St.George and The Dragon, Stan Bolovan, The Good Sword, The Dragon of Wantley, and The Dragon Tamers. My favorite three illustrations in the book are in the stories Bilbo Baggins and Smaug (page 41), Sigurd and Fafnir (page 76), and The Dragon of Wantley (page 125).
I really liked this book, it is a very interesting book suitable for all readers. Michael Hague has made this book unique by his amazing illustrations and great story choices personally I wouldn't change anything on this book.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors purpose of this book is to persuade the reader on dragons. The author indirectly states the purpose because he wants the reader to think on what will happen next.

The theme of this book is to believe in what you believe in. The author was indirectly telling the reader about how dragons have been all over the world and through history and culture.

The style of this book is in first person, because it says the word " I". yes this was effective because wit brought interest to the reader. this book is a description, because it is a explanation of a particular time, place, and event, to make the reader feel like they are experiencing it first hand.

my opinion on this book is that I really enjoyed it because it had many details on dragons. I liked it because it was colorful and fun to read. something that I disliked about this was that it was to short. I would make the longer. I have not read a book like this before.

[Anna Nesterovich · Rating 2 out of 5]

To say I'm dissapointed is to put it mildly. The book is just a collection of stories about dragons, without any regard to their style. Some stories are wonderful, some - not so much. At any rate, they don't look very well together.
A special disappointment is the drawings made by "the compilator", Michael Hague. They are all in one style, but it seems that the illustrator didn't read the stories. The pictures not only don't reflect the atmosphere of each story, but in many cases contradict the descriptions of the dragons. The picture of Nesbit's dragon-to-be-a-cat is an apotheosis in that sense. Besides, I don't know how to express this feeling, but Hague's dragons don't look healthy. He depicts them all as scary, loose creatures, even when the author sees them as something beatiful.

[Ch_nataliepelaia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains Seventeen different classic dragon tales. Stories such as , "St. George and the Dragon," written by William H. G. Kingston, "Li Chi Slays the Serpent," by Kan Pao and several other stories. They pretty much all vary and all have their own tone in each story. The illustrations are beautiful and bold watercolor drawings and black and white as well. You can just tell how pretty the pictures can be , by looking at the colorful cover of the book.
I recommend this for 4th-7th graders. Also if you love dragons , then this will be the perfect book for you!

[Doria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations (I love Michael Hague's work) accompany a broad array of dragon tales from around the world, including some unfortunately truncated snippets from well-known works of fiction (The Hobbit, Voyage of the Dawn treader, etc) which would have been better off omitted. Otherwise a nice sampling of an important genre of folktale.

[Christa綺思 · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting compilation of dragon stories from around the (fictional) world, this book gives us glimpses of ye old dragon. The illustrations are amazing and eye-catching, though the stories itself could have been better paraphrased or mentioned in the story. It was somewhat tiring to read.

[Cindy Steinberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read,all short magical tales about dragons. It's the year of the dragon so to read this book now gave me a new insight to the legendary creature that is the dragon. I give this book 5 stars

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

--several delightful dragons stories I'd never heard before or heard only in part. My one critique is that the illustrations didn't always fit, the dragons often being more cartoonish and whimsical than feirce and magnificent as the stories describe them.

[Cws]

JE398.2-Hag

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Various stories. Each were very good and I enjoyed them.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has stories and excerpts from some of the most classic stories of dragons. It's delightful for dragon and fantasy lovers.