Here There Be Dragons

by Roger Zelazny, Vaughn Bodē (Illustrator)

One of two children's books by award winning fantasy author Roger Zelazny.

Mister Gibberling picked up his quill, and with a great flourish of the feather wrote (in fancy letters): HERE THERE BE DRAGONS. Then he would smile because he had explained a new territory.

Thus, in a tiny, isolated kingdom long ago and far away, everyone believed that the world beyond was infested with fearsome, fire-breathing dragons and no one dared venture forth. No one, that is, except William, fourth (and wisest) advisor to the king, whose bravery would change forever the course of events in the little kingdom.

The princess birthday party promised to be a gala affair. The great dining hall of the palace resounded with music. There was dancing and wine and big platters of food. There were whole roasted pigs with apples in their mouths . . . There was everything that a person could possibly want at a birthday party. Except for fireworks, that is. Or a fire-breathing dragon.

Join in the adventure and watch the fireworks flare as William and his new-found friend, Bell, bring surprise and enlightenment to everyone in the land.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Dragons, Short Stories, Fiction, Science Fiction

42 pages, Unknown Binding

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Roger Joseph Zelazny was an American fantasy and science fiction writer known for his short stories and novels, best known for The Chronicles of Amber. He won the Nebula Award three times (out of 14 nominations) and the Hugo Award six times (also out of 14 nominations), including two Hugos for novels: the serialized novel ...And Call Me Conrad (1965), subsequently published under the title This Immortal (1966), and the novel Lord of Light (1967).

Reviews

[carol. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun.

https://lib.ru/ZELQZNY/dragons.txt_wi...

I can't imagine that I'll try and buy a copy so that I can see the pictures, but that's half the value of a children's book.

[Evelin Haljas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Väga kaasahaarav ja humoorikas lühijutt draakonitest ja nende eksistentsiaalsetest probleemidest, mis leidsid lahenduse tänu kuninga 'küsib-liiga-palju' nõunikule. Ettevaatust, ära kirjuta maakaardile midagi, mida sa ei taha näha tõelisuseks muutuvat..

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lazy cartographer causes all kinds of problems with his maps. He's never been outside the kingdom and has fallen into the practice of labeling all unknown lands with the phrase "Here there be dragons!" This has severely cut down on traffic outside of the kingdom as none of the king's subjects wants to run into a dragon. When the king requests fireworks for his daughter's 10th birthday, however, one of his advisers is forced to travel into the unknown - in search of a medium-sized dragon that can breathe fire in multiple colors (the next best thing to fireworks). There are surprisingly few (zero) dragons in the area and the adviser has to make a bargain with the only creature he can find - a lizard - to appease everyone. The lizard is not what he appears to be and after transforming and setting the great hall on fire, he takes the cartographer to task for his lousy maps and whisks him off on a trip to fill in those gaps in his knowledge of the outside world. This can only be good for everyone! A fun (and funny), imaginative fairy tale with wide appeal. Not a big fan of the illustrations.

[Eloise Sunshine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a story written for people who consider ignorance to be a bliss. Well, perhaps for a short while and for themselves, but obviously in this case it wasn't so for the dragons.
It also reminds us that not everything is what it seems to be. It's the inside that count... and can surprise you! (Never judge a book by it's cover, right)
But it also shows that the world belongs to those who dare to conquer it. And by that I do not mean it has to be in a form of war declaration. Just dare to go out there and discover all the miracles the world has to show you. You'll be amazed what you'll find... :)

I found the book to be available for online reading at http://lib.ru/ZELQZNY/dragons.txt_wit...

[Elar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short narrative about traditions and consultancy :)

[Aaron Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a surprisingly interesting children's book. To an adult, most stories read to kids are predictable (for good reason), but this one definitely had some quaint nuance which made it super fun to read.

I'm not sure my son really liked it though - he said the art was scary.

[Lumos Ktbspa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to relax between other books, very good.

[Charl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little story, in Zelazny's distinctive style.

[Jacob Guy Segalov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.
Great example how great mind can take an unimportant little fact and turn it into a brilliant gem.

[Kristjan Wager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little gem

[Nerva Maximus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a humorous tale of a young Councillor who sets of to find a gift for the kings daughter but finds far more than he expected.

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