Herbert the Timid Dragon

by Mercer Mayer

A timid dragon rescues a princess in order to become a brave knight in armor, but his efforts are misunderstood.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Dragons

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Mercer Mayer is an American children's author and illustrator. He has published over 300 books, using a wide range of illustrative styles. Mayer is best known for his Little Critter and Little Monster series of books.

Reviews

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Childrens book of all time. I'm sad that it is out of print but if you ever can get your hands on it, very much worth it. Mercer Meyer has such a fun spirit of writing and the pictures are fantastic with little hidden messages and animals.
Best note in the book "Sticks and stones can't break my bones, for I am just too scaly, but scary things said to me hurt my feelings daily."

Herbert is a timid dragon who always dreamed of being a knight. When the princess is stranded he see's it as his chance, which begins his crazy adventures with a wild spoiled princess.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think I was going to like this book, but I did. I had my practicum students pick out children's books they thought would be fun to read and the boy i"m working with picked this. (The plan is for him to read it aloud to me to work on his fluency with oral reading). The story was cute. I liked how the dragon meant well, but the people didn't understand his roaring and his attacks were really accidental. The illustrations were nice, especially how most of them included additional print for kids to read.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable dragon story with such fun illustrations.
Herbert the Dragon was very timid but he wanted to be a brave knight. When he tried to save a princess, he was misunderstood so that it lead to trouble for Herbert. Being timid, he would cough or hiccup and accidentally scare people away with his smoke and fire.
Funny story with a satisfying ending.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is at none of my libraries, probably out of print. Fortunately openlibrary.org has archived a copy! It definitely would still be enjoyed by today's youngsters. Except, the dragon has 'dragon-bone china' - ? Oh, this had to have been so much fun to write, and to draw. Young me would've spent so much time looking at all the details in the pictures.

[Holly Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Herbert the Timid Dragon is a story about a shy Dragon that wants to become a Knight. He decides that he is going to save the princess but since he is a dragon no one understands with so they think that he is stealing the princess. When the army comes to get her he accidentally scared them all away. The princess is then kidnapped by an evil duke. Herbert decides to save her again, and ends up saving her and the King makes him the first knight. This would be a good book for third graders because it is a fun and interesting book.

[Inger Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great book by Mercer Mayer. Once again, this would be another book for book psychology. It plays on a characteristic that the main character wants to change, and their journey to change it. I think it is a great book to show students that there is nothing the world to be afraid of and that it is okay to be brave.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There missing the cover image! Aaug! This book has some very funny medieval-type comments and it is one of my very favorite books to look at and read. :)

I have to put it on my art shelf because it always inspires me to draw.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorites. Herbert discovers he has moxie.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so hard to find but is such a wonderful story.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite books as a kid. I have my copy safely kept in my room so I can read it to my kids. It's just a wonderful little book. The illustrations are so cute and quirky.

[Carla Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet tale that shows timid people, too, can accomplish brave things.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3 My childhood fave. Had been trying to remember the name for weeks - now to find a copy of this 33 year old story book ;)

[Sara Lemonade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

[Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mom read this to me at Grandma's house. That princess. I like her style.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice dragon.

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Mir]