Merlin and the Dragons

by Jane Yolen

Young Arthur doesn't understand why pulling a sword from a stone qualifies him for kingship. When old Merlin tells him a story about when he was young, and first learned to trust in himself, Arthur gains the confidence he will need to become a great king.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars - English Ebook

Young Arthur doesn't understand why pulling a sword from a stone qualifies him for kingship.

Old Merlin tells him a story of his childhood, when he first learned to trust in himself: a story about fighting dragons, clashing armies, and a young boy's prophetic dreams.

Merlin's story inspires young Arthur with the confidence he will need to become a great king.

this is a great story with details, twists etc...
if your child enjoys story telling, this is a good book for the 5 to 7 year old.

It has enough text and details to keep a child who likes stories interested for the 20/30 minutes or so that it takes to read this parent reading to the child.

The only warning is that if your child is bothered by talking about death or blood in a fictional way, then this might not be the book for you. It does not focus on those topics but it does talk about a cruel king enslaving people and wanting a sacrifice.

I love fsntasy so this was a nice read.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young King Arthur doubts that he is a true king. So, Merlin tells him a story of Dragons, of good and evil and reveals to him a secret.

This was a nice book, good illustrations and interesting story.

[Lark of The Bookwyrm's Hoard · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Merlin and the Dragons, Yolen recounts much of Merlin's origin story, as the aged wizard tells it to a sleepless young Arthur, using simple but evocative language which at times seems to ring like poetry. Li Ming's gorgeous illustrations enhance the story and heighten the dramatic tension. Merlin and the Dragons is a book for all ages, and especially for lovers of the Arthurian myths.


A longer version of this review appears on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Hoard.

[Yasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are worth five stars alone but the story is two stars, so three stars overall.

[NS - Cami Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade 3-5- Yolen has created a stirring tale within a tale. Young Arthur wakes one stormy night from uneasy dreams and seeks out the company of Merlin. Sensing the boy's readiness to learn of his legacy in claiming the crown he wears without conviction, Merlin tells him of another fatherless boy, Emrys, who dreamed baffling dreams of dragons and crumbling stone towers. When the cruel Vortigern attempted to take over all of Britain, Emrys's dreams became prophetic and catalytic. Merlin ends his tale cryptically, as a certain knight advances toward Vortigern's tower. When Arthur cries out for a proper ending, Merlin draws him into the story and it becomes revelatory. At last he is able to call the crown his own. Yolen goes beyond her sources and moves expertly into the realm of invention. Matched with arresting oil paintings, the legend comes alive on a grand scale, the dramatic narrative and well-wrought dialogue heightening the theatrical effect and inviting a fast-paced read-aloud. Some of Ming's illustrations are magnificent, those of the dragons in particular. One can sense this talented artist's respect for these creatures as he brings them fully to life;terrifying, violent, and beautiful. So, too, does he paint Arthur with great sensitivity, a figure bathed in light, his face complex, thoughtful, and full of wonder. Although all the pictures serve the story well and elevate the drama, some seem a bit flat and over explicit without the pulsing life and radiance that characterizes those that are invested with emotion. The illustrations are remarkable for their power.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated, but it's much too complicated a plot, with concepts too abstract and complex, for small children. Though I'm not a fan of the Arthurian legends, this episode seems to fit just fine. The introductory note helps. 3.5 stars rounded up because I just can't get enough of the pictures and will look for more by the artist.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love children's books with beautiful illustrations. This one is excellent. I've enjoyed reading this one to my sons, and taking time on some pages just to admire the gorgeous pictures. It's a wonderful version of part of the Merlin legend.

[Ellie Dynek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on the library shelves, and couldn't put it down for the life of me. It was so creative and beautifully told, I truly enjoyed it from start to finish.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long but beautifully illustrated picture book about King Arthur.

[Maci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is really lovable and gives you magical thoughts.

[Raven Tyjha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a wonderful little half hour audible and I think it will be one of my nieces favorites when she's a bit older. I had a great time listening to it. It's well written and wonderfully read. At points it gave me chills in dramatic parts and was uplifting in the end.

After waking with nightmares, young King Author goes to Merlin for comfort and companionship but finds himself gifted a story as well. Merlin tells of a young boy who was also fatherless and had strange visions and dreams. The boy, Emris, narrowly avoids being killed by a cruel Lord who sought to be king long ago. Instead, he reveals why the cruel Lords desired tower will not stand and reveals two sleeping dragons who then are uncovered and fight. One dragon wins and kills the other. Emris interprets the event as an omen for the Lords defeat and a day later, a massive force comes to battle him. The story ends as the cruel Lords soliders desert him in the face of the oncoming force. Author presses Merlin for the ending confessing he likes stories with neat endings. Merlin advises that life's stories don't usually have such neat endings but reveals the evil Lord was defeated and what became of the two knights. In the end Author is comforted and given a new sense of purpose and confidence in his own proper place as King.

[Anjanabiswa]

Summary: Merlin and the Dragons written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Li Ming
This book is about a young King Arthur knows that because he pulled a sword from a stone he is called King of all Britain. But he has troubled dreams that make him question his reign. After a dream, Arthur walks the castle and ends up at the old magician, Merlins, door. Merlin tells of his childhood to give Arthur a peace about his fatherless kinghood. Merlin's childhood is a story of dragons, a cruel King Vortigern, Uther Pendragon, and king before Arthur. Arthur learns that he is the son of Uther Pendragon and is the rightful king of the land.

Evaluation of Illustrations and Text: The text fills the pages with dark/light colors and details. The text is in large paragraphs on one side of the page.

Strategies for Use in the Classroom:
Make predictions - The students can write down or talk about the different outcome of the story before they hear the next part of the story.
Rewrite different parts - The student can rewrite different scenes of the book to make it their own.

[Jaimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane Yolen is known for her innovative explorations of Arthurian mythology, but this book just missed the mark for me. Its short format didn't really allow much room for her to get into the story, but the framing narrative was an interesting touch. We often hear about Arthur being raised by his foster father and the events surrounding the pulling of the sword from the stone, but rarely does anyone explore the transitory period between Arthur's rural childhood and assuming the role of King of England. It's easy to forget that these legendary characters have human emotions and moments of weakness, and the small moments of their mundane lives (like a young boy being plagued by dreams of fighting dragons) are often overwritten for the larger storylines. Yolen deals with themes like these in her later books for young adults, so we can forgive her more introductory story here as a prompt to get younger readers into more of her books.

[Janyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Merlin and the Dragons is traditional literature mixed with fairy tale. This book details the events of the traditional Sword in the Stone story. However, Young King Arthur is having bad dreams. Arthur seeks the advice of Merlin the magician. Merlin shared a story with young Arthur. Arthur did not think he was worthy of being a king. However, once he heard the story that Merlin shared he knew he had a father and was destined to be king. This story has great illustrations throughout. It was a positive story which might encourages readers to believe in themselves. Overall, a great read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young King Arthur can’t sleep, so he goes to see Merlin for comfort and companionship. Merlin tells Arthur the story of a young, fatherless boy, Emrys, who has dreams and is an outcast. He finds himself face to face with High King Vortigern, who wants to take over Britain. When the villagers can’t seem to build Vortigern’s tower successfully, it is Emrys who dreams the solution to the problem.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seems to Alexa's audible Children's book, because if I ask my device to tell me a children's story, this is it, an audible version read by Kevin Kline. Good story about Merlin and Arthur, bad dreams and dragons.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merlin telling a young boy named Arthur a story from his childhood. About how he dreamed about tower and a red dragon and a white dragon fighting.

Great story with beautiful full page, full color illustrations.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations but the story seemed confusing especially the way the villagers were called Welshmen and Vortigern was a Briton. I think in Vortigern's time they would have been Briton's too.

[Michael Beyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated! This picture book is perfect for read-aloud lessons where the teacher reads to gifted elementary students, middle school students, and even reluctant readers in high school. Yolen is a masterful teller of this Arthurian legend.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible illustrations complement this tale of a young Arthur who has bad dreams and the wise Merlin who tells him a story. I love any story with dragons and this one is well done.

[K.D. Bissonette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book!!!

[Simon Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is The Book My Dad brought for Me when I was 6 years Old that cause Me to be obsessed with King Arthur

[Denise Elwyn McKenzie Elwynmckz McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have this book on CD. Read by Kevin Kline. It runs for an hour with music and background sound effects. The story itself comes printed on the sleeve so you can read along.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and fantastical medieval illustrations and surprising and original Arthurian story.

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merlin relates a story to young Arthur to assure him of his kingship. Great illustrations- good for elementary audience.

[Jennifer Wadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful picture book about the origins of Arthurian Merlin.

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this cause Kevin Kline did the narration on the animated version. So 5/5.

[Thora Hrafnsdottir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my daughter's childhood books. She's kept perhaps a half dozen of those - this is one.
I also still enjoy the book - words & pictures both.