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A Book Dragon
Nonesuch, the last in a line of dragons, uses his unique ability to change in size to survive for six centuries, during which time he observes such different humans as a medieval monk, an eighteenth-century London chemist, and a modern American bookseller.Nonesuch, the last of a family of dragons, survives six centuries, including visits to plague-stricken London and a modern bookstore, without being discovered
198 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 1, 2017
How have I not reviewed this delightful book before? A tragedy!
This charming, charming tale is the story of a dragon who becomes obsessed with watching a monk illuminate beautiful book. Dragons, you see, can make themselves larger or smaller, depending on what they eat. A steady diet of humans will make them as large as a cottage, but this dragon, in order to watch the manuscript taking shape, starts eating smaller and smaller prey: vermin, insects, etc, so that he is small enough to hide within the pages of the book. It becomes his treasure, and he guards it through the years. So charming! If this book had been written post-Harry Potter, it would have been considered YA or even middle grade, but when I discovered it, since it was fantasy it was shelved in the adult section. (Another tragedy!)
This charming, charming tale is the story of a dragon who becomes obsessed with watching a monk illuminate beautiful book. Dragons, you see, can make themselves larger or smaller, depending on what they eat. A steady diet of humans will make them as large as a cottage, but this dragon, in order to watch the manuscript taking shape, starts eating smaller and smaller prey: vermin, insects, etc, so that he is small enough to hide within the pages of the book. It becomes his treasure, and he guards it through the years. So charming! If this book had been written post-Harry Potter, it would have been considered YA or even middle grade, but when I discovered it, since it was fantasy it was shelved in the adult section. (Another tragedy!)
December 18, 2024
I own over three thousand books and have read many more. But this charming book is on my Top Ten all-time list. The story of a dragon who finds its ambition as a Book Dragon is whimsical and also sad, in a way. It takes Nonesuch the Dragon a while to find his bookworm ambition, six centuries in fact. The adventures take the reader through the ages, and children will be in wonderment at the description of plague-stricken London and caves full of treasure.
This is the kind of story that allows us to remember the innocence of childhood, while treasuring the love of books. Real books. The kind you hold in your hand. The illustrations are pen-and-ink, and the chapters start with beautiful calligraphy mirroring the medieval ages. I'm fairly sure my groaning bookshelves have a Nonesuch living in them.
Book Season = Year Round (find your inner dragon)
This is the kind of story that allows us to remember the innocence of childhood, while treasuring the love of books. Real books. The kind you hold in your hand. The illustrations are pen-and-ink, and the chapters start with beautiful calligraphy mirroring the medieval ages. I'm fairly sure my groaning bookshelves have a Nonesuch living in them.
Book Season = Year Round (find your inner dragon)
November 22, 2020
If there were to be a list of prime examples of a list of hidden gems, this book would most certainly be in the top 10 of hidden gems. I had never heard of this author or book ever before. I was surprised to hear when a friend, who is very much into reading and about reading more obscure titles, thought of this book in a passing conversation about dragons in a bookshop.
I'm so very glad I read this book, it is so delightful in the best of ways and somehow, the charm of it all made me feel really peaceful when reading it, as if the book took my back to a simpler time when novels were about animals and the delightful adventures of a dragon.
The book itself is structured quite interestingly, not being as much as strictly plot-driven from the start of the novel, yet build more around the swirling adventure the dragon is inevitably taken onto, while also breathing and taking the time to recount many of the adventures of the creature and humans he meets.
The whole concept is just so clever, it diverts expectations and turns a whole concept on its head, being so delightfully charming and amazing that this little dragon warms my heart <3
If you can get a hold of this book, please give it a read, it's such a charming classic that it has become a definite favourite of mine.
I'm so very glad I read this book, it is so delightful in the best of ways and somehow, the charm of it all made me feel really peaceful when reading it, as if the book took my back to a simpler time when novels were about animals and the delightful adventures of a dragon.
The book itself is structured quite interestingly, not being as much as strictly plot-driven from the start of the novel, yet build more around the swirling adventure the dragon is inevitably taken onto, while also breathing and taking the time to recount many of the adventures of the creature and humans he meets.
The whole concept is just so clever, it diverts expectations and turns a whole concept on its head, being so delightfully charming and amazing that this little dragon warms my heart <3
If you can get a hold of this book, please give it a read, it's such a charming classic that it has become a definite favourite of mine.
June 30, 2018
(Available on Open Library.)
Read it twice now, not charmed. Absolutely nothing wrong with it, but not for me.
Maybe too episodic. No real substance; we just skim along the centuries. I do like the butterflies. And I like that a certain villain is also a bibliophile. But I just kept waiting for something to reach into my heart or soul and nothing ever did.
Not sure of the audience, either. Totally fine for kids age 10 up, but no child characters, and in many ways smart enough for adults. Maybe if I'd read it first when a child I would have liked it more? Even though much satire, history, etc. would have gone over my head? :shrug:
Read it twice now, not charmed. Absolutely nothing wrong with it, but not for me.
Maybe too episodic. No real substance; we just skim along the centuries. I do like the butterflies. And I like that a certain villain is also a bibliophile. But I just kept waiting for something to reach into my heart or soul and nothing ever did.
Not sure of the audience, either. Totally fine for kids age 10 up, but no child characters, and in many ways smart enough for adults. Maybe if I'd read it first when a child I would have liked it more? Even though much satire, history, etc. would have gone over my head? :shrug:
April 28, 2017
This is the first book I've read by Kushner, and, I must say, I love his style of writing. Here he tells the story of a dragon, Nonesuch, from his life in as a youngster five hundred years ago to today, as he guards his treasure, an illuminated manuscript of the Book of Hours. Kushner introduces some dragon lore that I've never heard before, such as a dragon's ability to change size by eating or fasting allows him to hide in modern times, and a dragon's being visible in the flames of a fire. Parts of the book were almost philosophical, and I would almost classify this as a young adult rather than a children's book. I can't wait to read other books by Kushner. Recommended!
January 19, 2020
A cute and fun story! I love dragons and books so having a story that combines them both just made my day. I loved Nonesuch so much, he was cute and the way he saw the world “His” people and “His” treasure was a sweet and refreshing narrative. I enjoyed following along with his travels, although more then once I was upset to see him leave his current home. The book is quite descriptive, which can be a little much, but I enjoyed it when it was describing things so perfectly I could picture it. I also want to comment on how lovely it was to see Nonesuch interact and observe the Priest, many books have a negative view of Christians but this book mentioned the Bible and Christians several times and never in a rude or demeaning way, which I found endearing. I Recommend this book to anyone wanting to read about a dragon who finds his perfect treasure.
August 13, 2020
The dragon's name is Nonesuch.
I would stop there. However, I'm here to say this is a darling little book with an original story of a dragon who shrinks in size and hides in a monk's bookshop. Complete with the regrettable stories of the fates of Nonesuch's ancestors and his friendships with other creatures, A Book Dragon is certainly an enchanting read. It has somewhat difficult writing at times and there's other dragon fairy tales I prefer more. Even still, it is an excellent read for anyone who loves dragon books--or books about dragons who love books.
I would stop there. However, I'm here to say this is a darling little book with an original story of a dragon who shrinks in size and hides in a monk's bookshop. Complete with the regrettable stories of the fates of Nonesuch's ancestors and his friendships with other creatures, A Book Dragon is certainly an enchanting read. It has somewhat difficult writing at times and there's other dragon fairy tales I prefer more. Even still, it is an excellent read for anyone who loves dragon books--or books about dragons who love books.
July 4, 2012
Review from circa 1989
This is one of those books that almost makes me wish I was a classroom teacher again, because it's the sort of thing that demands to be read to a room full of 12 year olds.
A Book Dragon is the delightful tale of Nonesuch, a dragon who adopts an illustrated manuscript as his personal treasure and defends it against all comers. Nonesuch survives into the present day by shrinking to insect size, and becomes a fly-on-the-wall observer of various human comings and goings. Kushner is thus able to give us the Cook's tour of the last 500 years of civilization, and a parade of various human archetypes. (He concludes this portrayal of social evolution, appropriately enough, with the archetypal sf fan.)
There is not much physical action of the dragon verses knight variety here: no massed armies fighting each other for the succession, no heroic hobbits taking on evil sorcerers, no high speed car chases. In typical Canadian style, most of the action takes place off stage, and instead of battling the forces of evil, the protagonists simply endure their enemies with a quiet stoicism. Violence is depicted as cowardly or unproductive, and even when fully justified, Nonesuch finds it distasteful (in both sense of the word). Nonesuch's own role in the story is largely restricted to interested observer, and when he does occasionally intervene in the affairs of men, he does so anonymously and without heroic bluster.
Like all great books, however, this one can be read at several levels. Many children's authors erroneously believe that keeping the story simple means avoiding any kind of emotional or intellectual depth. In sharp contrast, Kushner treats his readers to some rather nice symbolism and a goodly number of philosophical asides, which children will find both accessible and thought provoking. When dragons eat people, for example, they take on the victim's thoughts, so killing evil-doers simply means you sink to their level. There is also an undertone of humor throughout the story, which pokes gentle fun at human weakness and Nonesuch's own early pretensions. This occasionally erupts into black comedy as the off stage action hints at sinister deeds, but this merely adds to the story's profundity.
Kushner's previous book, The Violin-Maker's Gift, won the 1980 Canadian Library Association's Book of the Year for Children Award, and this one seems an equally worthy contribution to children's literature.
This is one of those books that almost makes me wish I was a classroom teacher again, because it's the sort of thing that demands to be read to a room full of 12 year olds.
A Book Dragon is the delightful tale of Nonesuch, a dragon who adopts an illustrated manuscript as his personal treasure and defends it against all comers. Nonesuch survives into the present day by shrinking to insect size, and becomes a fly-on-the-wall observer of various human comings and goings. Kushner is thus able to give us the Cook's tour of the last 500 years of civilization, and a parade of various human archetypes. (He concludes this portrayal of social evolution, appropriately enough, with the archetypal sf fan.)
There is not much physical action of the dragon verses knight variety here: no massed armies fighting each other for the succession, no heroic hobbits taking on evil sorcerers, no high speed car chases. In typical Canadian style, most of the action takes place off stage, and instead of battling the forces of evil, the protagonists simply endure their enemies with a quiet stoicism. Violence is depicted as cowardly or unproductive, and even when fully justified, Nonesuch finds it distasteful (in both sense of the word). Nonesuch's own role in the story is largely restricted to interested observer, and when he does occasionally intervene in the affairs of men, he does so anonymously and without heroic bluster.
Like all great books, however, this one can be read at several levels. Many children's authors erroneously believe that keeping the story simple means avoiding any kind of emotional or intellectual depth. In sharp contrast, Kushner treats his readers to some rather nice symbolism and a goodly number of philosophical asides, which children will find both accessible and thought provoking. When dragons eat people, for example, they take on the victim's thoughts, so killing evil-doers simply means you sink to their level. There is also an undertone of humor throughout the story, which pokes gentle fun at human weakness and Nonesuch's own early pretensions. This occasionally erupts into black comedy as the off stage action hints at sinister deeds, but this merely adds to the story's profundity.
Kushner's previous book, The Violin-Maker's Gift, won the 1980 Canadian Library Association's Book of the Year for Children Award, and this one seems an equally worthy contribution to children's literature.
November 19, 2015
This story was not as smooth as I would have liked but the story is so sweet and covers so much of the England history that I love so I appreciated it overall. If you love books and/or English history you will enjoy this one.
A few bites:
"For several generations now, they had lost the ability to breathe fire. The only traces that remained of this once mighty power were the internal fires that caused their eyes to glow and to give forth enough light for the dragons to find their way in pitch darkness. And, she added, that kept their blood warm, so that they were active in all weathers, not sluggish in fall and sleeping in winter like the lowly reptiles that sometimes dared to claim kinship with them."
"I've learned it from other butterflies," she replied, as if this should have been obvious. "We tell each other everything that happens. So it's as if none of us dies at all." She darted over the dragon's back and added politely. "I'll tell them about you. Years from now the butterflies will remember that once a small dragon came to their pool."
"It took him only a few days to learn to read. It might seem an unbelievably short time; but you should remember that many animals must learn things much faster than humans can. But Nonesuch, in the present year, 1665, was over two hundred and fifty years old. He was already full of his grandmother's wise sayings and more experience of the world than any human could possess. So that, once the rat told him the names and sounds of the different letters and showed him how they were put together, he began to read as if he had always known how. It disturbed him that the spelling of words was sometimes irrational - as English spelling was, and still is - but he accepted this as the sort of thing to be expected from a human invention."
A few bites:
"For several generations now, they had lost the ability to breathe fire. The only traces that remained of this once mighty power were the internal fires that caused their eyes to glow and to give forth enough light for the dragons to find their way in pitch darkness. And, she added, that kept their blood warm, so that they were active in all weathers, not sluggish in fall and sleeping in winter like the lowly reptiles that sometimes dared to claim kinship with them."
"I've learned it from other butterflies," she replied, as if this should have been obvious. "We tell each other everything that happens. So it's as if none of us dies at all." She darted over the dragon's back and added politely. "I'll tell them about you. Years from now the butterflies will remember that once a small dragon came to their pool."
"It took him only a few days to learn to read. It might seem an unbelievably short time; but you should remember that many animals must learn things much faster than humans can. But Nonesuch, in the present year, 1665, was over two hundred and fifty years old. He was already full of his grandmother's wise sayings and more experience of the world than any human could possess. So that, once the rat told him the names and sounds of the different letters and showed him how they were put together, he began to read as if he had always known how. It disturbed him that the spelling of words was sometimes irrational - as English spelling was, and still is - but he accepted this as the sort of thing to be expected from a human invention."
June 16, 2013
A little marvel of a book. The story of the dragon Nonesuch, growing up with his grandmother, and what she taught him. Particularly the importance of guarding his treasure. How she left him and he learned how to grow smaller as well as larger, and how he came to regard an illuminated Book of Hours as his treasure, and what he had to do to guard it.
The interior art is something else. It's the lovely little marginalia like that it describes in the Book of Hours that give it a particularly nice touch.
A light and frothy book. The narrator's voice is handled well, and fills in everything you need to know of the background nicely. Fun to read.
The interior art is something else. It's the lovely little marginalia like that it describes in the Book of Hours that give it a particularly nice touch.
A light and frothy book. The narrator's voice is handled well, and fills in everything you need to know of the background nicely. Fun to read.
April 14, 2007
This was a charming book. Though it was written for children, it's a story that adults will enjoy as well, filled with history and even some (well-hidden) philosophy. It's a short book and an easy read. While I loved the story, I also enjoyed the little illustrations that pepper the margins of the book as well, like an illuminated manuscript. The book's out of print, but snatch it up if you see it at a used book sale. I'm glad I did.
June 5, 2012
Awww, that was precious, though the ending was... odd? But yes, I would love a book dragon to reside in my library too!
June 11, 2025
Nonesuch is a dragon without a treasure. When his grandmother dies, she leaves behind a substantial treasure of gold and jewels, but it doesn't really feel quite right to Nonesuch. He goes through a transformation and discovers that he can shrink down to the size of an insect if he doesn't eat much, or he can grow larger again if he eats more. He is curious about humans, so he shrinks down and flies into an abbey where a monk is painstakingly writing and illuminating a prayer book. The monk is inspired by the sight of a tiny dragon and begins to draw him into the margins of the book. When a thief threatens to steal the precious book, Nonesuch knows that he has found a treasure he will guard with all his heart. But he is trapped along with the book in a strong box and can't get out for centuries. When he emerges into the modern world, Nonesuch must find new ways to navigate the world of men and protect his treasure.
I enjoyed this introspective book! Nonesuch is very thoughtful and he spends a lot of time observing how other animals and people live. He wonders what purpose dragons have in the world, and he wonders what his own purpose could be. Because he lives for centuries, the small problems and wars of humans seem very remote, but he is also inquisitive, wondering why they make such a fuss. Finally, he finds a place where he feels that he belongs and finds a noble purpose to make his life worthwhile.
Because the book is so introspective and philosophical, the plot moves a little slowly, but each scene has an overall message that contributes to Nonesuch's character development as he thinks through all the aspects of dragon life. I liked the slower pace, because it felt peaceful and meaningful. Towards the end of the story, the pace picks up and we get more action.
The writing is delightful! We get a great mixture of both funny and serious scenes. The whole thing is beautifully imaginative and whimsical. The writing does a wonderful job of leading us along with Nonesuch's thoughts and his developing ideas about his own life.
There are a few descriptions of violence as knights and dragons do battle, but nothing too gruesome. To see the details of the violence, you can check out this book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/a-book...
I enjoyed this introspective book! Nonesuch is very thoughtful and he spends a lot of time observing how other animals and people live. He wonders what purpose dragons have in the world, and he wonders what his own purpose could be. Because he lives for centuries, the small problems and wars of humans seem very remote, but he is also inquisitive, wondering why they make such a fuss. Finally, he finds a place where he feels that he belongs and finds a noble purpose to make his life worthwhile.
Because the book is so introspective and philosophical, the plot moves a little slowly, but each scene has an overall message that contributes to Nonesuch's character development as he thinks through all the aspects of dragon life. I liked the slower pace, because it felt peaceful and meaningful. Towards the end of the story, the pace picks up and we get more action.
The writing is delightful! We get a great mixture of both funny and serious scenes. The whole thing is beautifully imaginative and whimsical. The writing does a wonderful job of leading us along with Nonesuch's thoughts and his developing ideas about his own life.
There are a few descriptions of violence as knights and dragons do battle, but nothing too gruesome. To see the details of the violence, you can check out this book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/a-book...
June 16, 2018
Great writing. A whimsical book about a good dragon who decides to guard an illuminated book as his treasure.
Not sure that kids today would like it esp. if they were trying to find books about dragons. Nonesuch doesn't do much but sleep and watch the centuries go by until he discovers himself and his illuminated book has come to America-on a plane. He stays awake now and saves the bookstore owner who has bought the box with the book from a greedy man who wants to build a hotel on his property. A noble deed, to be sure, but probably not enough action, esp. dragon action for most readers.
Nonesuch also learns to read from a rat he met and enjoys reading some of the books at the bookstore where he lives.
We finally find out at the end why dragons stopped eating humans.
Not sure that kids today would like it esp. if they were trying to find books about dragons. Nonesuch doesn't do much but sleep and watch the centuries go by until he discovers himself and his illuminated book has come to America-on a plane. He stays awake now and saves the bookstore owner who has bought the box with the book from a greedy man who wants to build a hotel on his property. A noble deed, to be sure, but probably not enough action, esp. dragon action for most readers.
Nonesuch also learns to read from a rat he met and enjoys reading some of the books at the bookstore where he lives.
We finally find out at the end why dragons stopped eating humans.
September 6, 2019
I received this book as a gift when I was 7 or 8 years old (now 39)and I am eternally grateful that I did. Despite both my parents reading to me from a very young age I had little interest in reading on my own. So I was not that thrilled to have been gifted a book. I could not have been more wrong. The unique adventures and incite of Nonesuch was the spark that ignited a life long love of reading that continues to this very day. Thank you Donn Kushner for creating such a memorable character that taught me to love and cherish books for the rest of my life.
November 26, 2022
This is a nice, episodic book about a dragon named Nonesuch and his treasure that he guards for centuries upon centuries: an illuminated tome made in the time of monks, knights, and dragons.
It took me a while to finish it because I’m not a big fan of episodic media; I love a good overarching storyline. But Nonesuch was a likeable character and Kushner’s prose was like a warm, gentle stroll through history(besides the Black Death and a man’s beheading). It’s a good book to pick up when you need to calm down and forget the stresses of real life.
It took me a while to finish it because I’m not a big fan of episodic media; I love a good overarching storyline. But Nonesuch was a likeable character and Kushner’s prose was like a warm, gentle stroll through history(besides the Black Death and a man’s beheading). It’s a good book to pick up when you need to calm down and forget the stresses of real life.
June 28, 2018
A Book Dragon is not a story, so much as a bunch of barely related stories with a previously unmentioned theme being tacked on at the end. While the parts that are there, unrelated as they are, never veers into a territory I would call "bad," there's just nothing interesting about it. It's just bland text with nothing to offer. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone because I don't think anyone needs to.
July 1, 2020
I would probably give this a 3.5, but I rounded up.
I first read this book when I was younger (my name is still written in the cover in my late grade school handwriting), and I remember loving it back then.
I don't love it quite as much as an adult, but it was very cute. I enjoyed the dragon's adventures, especially his time at the abbey, and I loved the whimsy of the story. I'd definitely still recommend it to kids who are into fantasy stories.
I first read this book when I was younger (my name is still written in the cover in my late grade school handwriting), and I remember loving it back then.
I don't love it quite as much as an adult, but it was very cute. I enjoyed the dragon's adventures, especially his time at the abbey, and I loved the whimsy of the story. I'd definitely still recommend it to kids who are into fantasy stories.
August 24, 2018
It may be my bias towards dragons speaking, but I LOVED this book! It felt fansiful, yet realistic at the same time. And watching Nonesuch grow felt natural, not too detailed. Everything about this book I love, from our dragon's travels to the characters he meets. It's a fun, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The illustrations are a nice touch, as well!
October 26, 2020
This book is simply a charming break from the world. I lost myself in Nonesuch's life, and never truly wanted to end. I wanted to pop in and out of his life for decades to come rather than a few quick weeks.
If you need a small relief from the blistery cold of winter, I suggest an adventure with Nonesuch!
If you need a small relief from the blistery cold of winter, I suggest an adventure with Nonesuch!
January 3, 2018
Exactly the type of book I would have loved as a kid, and thoroughly enjoyed as an adult.
March 10, 2018
Not much to say about this except that I loved it. Sweet, enjoyable, easy fantasy with a nice payoff at the end. And some nice scientific and historical details sprinkled in there too. Good stuff.
December 12, 2018
I loved this story of the dragon who lived within the pages of a book for over 1000 years
June 24, 2021
Utterly charming and breathtaking. Stands out unequalled among dragon stories. Would give 10 stars if could.
July 10, 2021
Cute stories. The front cover blurb is oddly similar to present day.
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October 19, 2021Wonderful, creative, and unique. A great read for kids and young-at-heart adults.
November 4, 2022
This is easy one of me most treasured books, it is beautiful in so many ways. I would really recommend giving this one a read!
April 10, 2023
Interesting and enjoyable. A very different take on dragons, but quite fun, especially the ending.
April 20, 2024
Dusting and weeding my shelves tonight. I remember this one quite fondly. It stays!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews