Titles Books

The Hunting of the Snark is a whacky piece of poetical silliness by Lewis Caroll. Complete nonsense, no-one knows what a Snark is, or why Snark hunters hunt it, or why anyone would want to become a Snark hunter to start with. Anyway, the poem is definitely amusing at times with some of the humour he slips in.

The Hunting of the Snark seems to be a very, very short imitation of The Canterbury Tales. The first chapter (titled a fit) introduces all of the occupations of all the different people going on a journey. However, instead of going on a general pilgrimage and telling tales along the way, their trip is very specific to hunting.

The Baker actually attempts to tell a story, but the Bellman (who leads the group) says there's no time for storytelling. They have to catch the Snark before nightfall.

Along with the Bellman and Baker, a Banker, a Bonnet-maker, a Butcher, a Boots, a Billiard-maker, a Barrister, a Broker, and a Beaver tag along to hunt for the Snark. The Beaver is afraid of getting cut by the Butcher, so he puts on a dagger-proof coat and talks to the Banker about buying an insurance policy.

The Beaver is involved in a hilarious scene with the Butcher later, when the two attempt to compute sums. But perhaps the funniest scene of the entire book is in the Barrister's dream when the Snark declares sentence on a pig, only to find out the pig has been dead long before the trial even began.

I'd highly recommend this short poem for Carroll fans, even though it's not big enough to contain but a small portion of what's to be found in the Alice books.

I have read a great deal of nonsense in the past, but this was by far the best nonsense that I have ever read. There is no point, no meaning, no sense, and no boringness. It is a delightful poem (which is well written and very fun to read aloud) about a crew on a ship hunting a snark. The crew includes a captain who only rings a bell, a beaver, a cook who only cooks beavers (the beaver and the cook did not get along well), a man afraid that the snark would turn into a boojum and make him disappear, etc. As you can tell, this makes for an insanely silly poem. The subtitle is rather fitting, as my sides were definitely hurting from laughter when I was done. Well done Mr. Carroll.

Overall grade: A+

Nonsense poems can easily miss the mark
Yet, this masterpiece has that spark.

"How do you kill a _____?", you ask
To find the answer was the hunters' task.

"What was their fate?", you wonder
Did they ever catch their elusive plunder?

A paragon of haunting Carollian lore
Be in no doubt that you'll finish wanting more.

This poem is just great!

First, this one of the most delightful pieces of writing that ever appeared in (more or less) English. It succeeds as a sustained exercise in illogic. I am sure that only a mathematical logician like Dodgson could possibly have pulled it off - only someone with such deep understanding of reason could master unreason so completely.

Second, Martin Gardner's commentary adds depth and background to the reading. Gardner explains terms that are now obsolete, but also adds his own analysis and a rich history of the Snark phenomenon. It should be no surprise that Gardner is still best known as the long-time editor of Scientific American's column on Mathematical Games, a mathematician himself.

I can't add much to the scholarship or praise that already surrounds this incredible poem. I would like to point out, however, that most non-native English speakers are unfamiliar with this poem. Many of them have only ever seen the serious side of the English language, and have never seen English at play. I consider this short work to be the ideal introduction to the very best of English-language nonsense.

//wiredweird

Just read this to my five year old daughter, who really liked it, by the way. The book really emphasizes honoring commitments, keeping promises, and enduring love. The main characters have to overcome serious obstacles to stay together and they do. Good book to chat with your child about morals and believing in others.

To the person who wrote a rant about the illustrations being beautiful, but why is everyone white despite the setting. The reason is the tale is told by a white author; therefore, that author can do what he/she desires. And if the audience is mostly white, then they will want characters they can relate to and identify with. Not everything has to be politically correct. Must we make all old tales PC now too?! I don't see why every tale has to be curtailed to reflect political correctness. In fact, it wasn't that way when I was a child, and I don't want it to be that way for my child either. Go live in a country where you are the minority. We don't have to cator to minorities. There is no law stating this, and not many people like it even if they are afraid of saying so for fear of being slandered.

I read a huge pile of fairy tale books in one sitting, and this by far was the best of the lot. (It made me want to watch my copy of Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast) The tale is like Beauty and the Beast, Cupid and Psyche and Jim Henson's "True Prince" all rolled into one.

The illustrations are AMAZING.

The hero and heroine are strong and their love is even stronger, it was just a wonderful story to read and experience through the lovely artwork on the pages.

This book provides an original combination of the separate Beauty and the Beast and East of the Sun, West of the Moon tales. In this story, a lovely young girl marries a prince trapped, during the day, in the body of a lion. When an enchantment forces him to fly away from his beloved in the body of a dove, she sets out to find her lover once more.

Initially, I was going to begin this review with a small rant. Despite the fact that the characters in this book wear clothing, and live in palaces, of Indian or Eastern design, the people themselves are white white white. Why? Couldn't we have Grimm-like tale containing something other than the standard Caucasian skin tone? So there we go. That's my only complaint.

Onwards to my point. The illustrations in this book are a step above breathtaking. The pictures drawn by Laurel Long are so beautiful that every tiny centimeter is filled with the most delicate linework and livid colors imaginable. From the folds of the young lady's dresses to the iridescent clouds surrounding the moon at night this book is fabulously beautiful. The story itself isn't anything you haven't heard before. But even a mediocre story can be made vastly more interesting when the pictures are spectacular.

If you have any appreciation for the artwork of this genre of picture books, then you must buy this book. I have many picture books, and I thought Kraft was the best illustrator, until I saw this book. While Kraft's work is amazing and mysterious, the artwork done by Laurel Long completely blows my mind. I've never been in such awe looking at pages from a picture book. It amazes me how someone can produce this art. The detail all over the page is amazing. The whole set up with this rolling hills background to show many different things in in the distance is incredible. The story itself was interesting, but did not grab me as much as some fairy tales. But much as I love fairy tales, this is my most cherished fairy tale picture book because the artwork is the best. Don't get me wrong, I did like the story, just did not looove it. But no matter, because I am so glad I came acrossed this book due to the art, although I am glad to know the story too. Anyway, after reading this book, I looked up Laurel Long and have bought the other books she's illustrated, and she does not disappoint. Buy this book, and then buy the other two books I highly recommend by her, The Mightiest Heart and The Magic Nesting Doll, and enjoy!

This was a great read. It was beautifully written and there were some spots that I laughed for quiet awhile at what a character said or did. (I've chuckled briefly with other books, but never laughed and laughed as I did with this one.) The characters were all very likable, even in their foibles. The pain of a mother and a daughter who really wanted to be connected but weren't was portrayed honestly. The mother was trying to fill a round hole in her heart with a square peg. It was awful to witness both for her daughter and for the reader. It was that frustrating longing though that eventually brought them together. The tension was savory and the resolution was real. I highly recommend it.

I found this book at my local library under new fiction and decided to try it out as I'm always looking for new authors to read. I'm so lucky that my fingers happened to pick up this book! What a treasure! Anshaw is a funny and sensitive writer. The only problem is that you've got to read this book slowly because there is so much to absorb! I ignored my husband and children for three days!! I can't wait to read her other two novels.......

I found this book at my local library under new fiction and decided to try it out as I'm always looking for new authors to read. I'm so lucky that my fingers happened to pick up this book! What a treasure! Anshaw is a funny and sensitive writer. The only problem is that you've got to read this book slowly because there is so much to absorb! I ignored my husband and children for three days!! I can't wait to read her other two novels.......

Fern's relationship with her mother Nora has always been strained, ever since the messy divorce due to Nora's affairs with women. Nora has eventually settled down with Jeanne, but the tension between mother and daughter remains. Fern's best friend drops her baby into Fern's lap and slowly drifts from the picture, and Fern's most stable relationship is with her dog Lucky, but with the dog's health waning, this seems to be ending as well. And when Nora begins another affair, Fern is first to figure it out and leaps at the chance to judge her mother, but as events progress, she begins to realize her mother is human after all. And with Lucky dying, both mother and daughter come to better understandings about themselves and their relationship with each other. "Lucky in the Corner" is full of glorious complexities about us humans, and Anshaw has written this tale in a tidal mosaic, where episodes from the past and present interweave, blessing the reader with all aspects of these fascinating characters and leaving us with a sense of what family (especially those extended families of non-blood relatives) means.

I agree with the reviewer who said that this book was "pleasant" to read--it *is* very easy and accessible. But just don't confuse that with simplistic, either in the ideas it offers or the way it presents them. The way in which the main character wrestles with fidelity, with contentment, really, is very believable as it is sketched out. The supporting characters are well-executed, and the arc of the plot is satisfying and illuminating. You're left hanging a bit by the conclusion, but it works. I promptly went out upon reading this and got another of her books--it's that good. (Don't be put off by the cover, which makes the story look flaky and light, a la Diane Johnson/Le Divorce; there's real life between *these* covers.)

I have never read a Maureen Childs book before I read More Than Fiends and I must say I couldn't put the darn thing down! I finished the book in 2 days and anxiously awaited the arrival of a Fiend In Need which I have just finished reading yesterday....both books are hilarious and in my opinion must reads! Can't wait for the next one!!! Keep em coming Maureen!

I love Maureen Child and her contemporary romances, especially THE MARCONI SISTERS trilogy and the CANDELLANO FAMILY trilogy.

Unfortunately, I didn't like this book a bit.

I don't know if it was the first-person narrative, the paranormal elements that were more irritating than funny, or the fact that Ms. Child introduced TWO fairly likable heroes for the heroine to decide over, but MORE THAN FRIENDS just wasn't for me.

Hopefully, other readers will enjoy it a whole lot more than I did!

This book is wonderful! Cassidy had me holding my stomach laughing. She is a cross between Julie Kenners Demon hunting soccer mom and stephanie plum. Trying to raise a teenage daughter and fighting demons would make any woman grab the pop tarts and chocolate kisses. This series is a must read and I can't wait for the next book.

This was a fast pace easy read - perfect for the beach or by the pool. Wow- what hot guys and loved Thea....the interaction of her with her parents is to much.

This book reminded me a lot of Julie Kenner's Carp Demon series- if you haven't read them- do so.

You will not be disappointed in this book.

If you love Stephanie Plum, you will LOVE Cassidy. I love the premise, but more than anything I loved the characters. Funny and sexy, who could ask for anything more.

This book was just made for grandmoters to share with their grandchildren. Mine loved it and we spent a great deal of time discovering new things among the intricate work of the children, their clothes, bugs, etc. It is a delight.

This is a beautiful book showcasing an extraordinary quilt although one need not be a quilt aficionado to love and appreciate it. It is my favorite gift for a young child, or any adult who loves quilts or children's books or fairytales.

I found this book and story so enchanting!

Everytime I look at the fotos of the actual
quilt - I see something new and am thrilled.

My only regret is that there is not more of
the wonderful fotos and story....

What a treat!

Beautiful book! I love this children's book and am also a quilter so I enjoy having this work of art all the more!

This book is worth every penny for the close-ups of the quilt used in the illustrations. This is a very pleasant story of the earths renewal. Not too long and not too short, it should hold a young child's attention very well.

I read to my son's class and had selected two stories to read. By the time I left I had read the entire book. They kept asking for me to "read another one". Need I say more? This is a wonderful book for children. Highly recommended.

What I liked most about Once is the great messages in the stories. When I first read it I thought how much my kids would like it, but then, by the time I finished reading it, I realized how much I liked it. The messages are not just for the kids. Bunny Green is so true to life and yet told in a way that kids will easily understand the message and the meaning.

I was really suprised how much a kiddies book could have an effect on me. Grouch almost made me cry and made me realize how much I love my friends.

A great book, a great buy and a great bunch of messages.

"Once.." really does have it all. Great stories, funny characters, wonderful morals, and cute lovable illustrations. I really hope this book wins an award. It really is a great buy, my kids loved it and I enjoy reading it to them. I hope there is a "Once II..." or at least a follow up? Amazon...do you know if that will happen? Let us know.

It is not often I find such a wonderful book by chance. I read Once from cover to cover before reading it to my children who loved the characters as much as I did.

Herman the Pebble is now a star in his own right with my children.

As an elementary education major, I am always on the lookout for new childrens' books. "Once" is a fabulous new children's book. The characters are cute and loveable (my favorite is Herman the pebble) and each character must learn to deal with various life situations. This book is good for children of all ages. Each story is wonderful. I plan on reading this book to my students for years to come. When is the next one coming out? :)

When Poison's sister Azalea is stolen by the scarecrow, Poison must travel to Shieldtown to rescue her. Along the way Poison meets a wraith-catcher named Bram who helps her survive among the phaeries, and a prisoner of the Bone Witch called Peppercorn. As Poison finds out what happened to her sister, she finds out more about herself.

It's hard to write a review without giving away the ending, but the point is it's a really great book and even though, after reading about the part with the girl (trying not to give anything away here), you can kind of guess, but the ending is still a surprise the first time you read it and you realize all the subtle little hints that you might have overlooked. This book is captivating, somewhat frightening if you read it alone on a dark, cold, windy night like I did, and ironic. I think though, that maybe the simplicity of the plot compared to say, The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray, was the reason it didn't get as much recognition. Maybe? What do I know? Read it yourself.

I read Mr. Wooding's The Haunting of Alaizable Cray and I loved it. So when this book came out, I really wanted to buy it. It needed lots of patience but finally I got it!

It is so AWESOME. I thought it would be like other fantasy story but nope, got to remember that this is Wooding's. The author has delivered more than I expected. Not too far from his style (which can create movie scenes in my head) but it also has surprises. Very recommended, specially those of you who like to think about destiny. Food for thought.

The fantasy genre owes Chris Wooding a huge favour. In a genre awash with sad Tolkien knock-offs filled with magic swords, plucky heroes, wise wizards, princesses-in-distress and other tired clichés, Wooding continues to churn out exciting and intriguing stories that contain a rare force of imagination. Even though "Poison" is not quite as successful as some of his earlier efforts (especially "The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray") it certainly deserves credit for its skill, style, fast-pace and clever ideas.

Which is ironic considering I was rather concerned on reading the first chapter. A young girl named Poison lives in the gloomy swamplands of the Black Marshes, together with a woebegone father and a nasty stepmother. An outcast in her own village (she chose her own name, which should give you some idea of her attitude) she dreams of adventures outside her dismal existence. Despite Wooding's snappy prose and deft hand at forming such a grim atmosphere, I couldn't believe the predictability of the opening. Yet perhaps the typical fairytale beginning has a purpose...

It so happens that Poison's baby sister Azalea is kidnapped by the Phaeries, and Poison commits herself to the quest of tracking her down again, seeking out the Phaerie Lord himself to demand her sister be returned to her. Collecting a motley crew along the way, Poison finds her way into the Realm of Phaerie - there are some snags along the way of course, predominantly the horrifying Bone Witch, whose home serves as the gateway between the human and Phaerie worlds. But things get even stranger when she reaches the Realm of Phaerie, filled with rules and quirks (and breathtaking beauty) that baffles even the headstrong Poison. Attempting to negotiate this new world of political intrigue and secret plots, she also has to deal with minor characters who say some rather inexplicable things, like: "you haven't meet half the cast yet," and "at least you're not the typical muscle-bound warrior, beautiful sorceress and amusing thief sidekick."

Poison doesn't have a clue what's going on, but it all seems to have something to do with the mysterious figure known as the Hierophant. It would be wrong of me to discuss anymore of this surprising book, save to say that it gradually gets quite existential and rather reminiscent of "The Neverending Story" in its use of stories-within-stories and the blurring of the lines between author, reader and character, raising some interesting questions about our relationship with books in the process.

It is a book that demands to be read more than once, much like "The Six Sense", one needs to experience it initially, and then retread the story in order to better appreciate the 'rules and clues' that were strewn amongst the story. Ultimately, "Poison" is a book about books themselves - where can a book-lover go wrong with such a premise?

Poison

This book sometimes gets boring because their would be three chapters talking about the same thing over and over again. So I'd say that I would give this book about three stars.

My book is about a girl named Poison that lives in a small town over the ocean called Gull. The Gull has been having issues with children that live there. Kids will catch a disease that has no name. Which is when their kids do absolutely nothing. Then Poison saw a fairy next to her and it said that the Gull is in huge trouble. Poison had found out that kids were being kid napped and dummies replaced their spots. The fairy had also told her that a evil lord had her sister and he was using children to come up with something to destroy every living human. A couple months later Poison had made a plan to travel and save her sister her self. So Poison met this strange man that would take her to a small village. On their way to the town the sky had turned black so they decided to camp out. But Poison couldn't sleep because evil poisonous creatures cover the ground at night. Then it started raining and the man and Poison had to create a tent out of a tarp.


I recommend this book to anybody that likes fantasy.

A great book to share with children, or, in my case, grandchildren. Teaching children about greed and accumulating of "things" is made so much more enjoyable with this book. As an avid quilter, I have made many, many quilts for the grandchildren, and they can really relate to the story. A definite buy.

Wonderful story with a great illustrations for children of all ages. A perfect message of what is really important in one's life, not to be caught up with worldly things and to serve others makes one really happy.

Lovely story--luscious illustrations. I wish I could quilt as quickly as you can turn the pages and read the story.

This is the book that tells all about how the Quilt maker came to be who she is. We loved the "Quiltmakers Gift" and so we had to get this one too. We were not disappointed!

Heather mama of 5

The quiltmaker of this story was born into great wealth, living inside a city walled off from the outside and where everyone inside was also rich. She was so wealthy, she ran out of things to spend her money on and so began wondering what was on the outside. The town elders told great tales of danger and woe, so she and the other young people were afraid to venture outward.
However, she reached the point where her curiosity got the best of her and she managed to find a way out of the town. She was shocked to discover that everyone outside her former town was poor and forced to do without. Yet, even with their lack of things, they were all willing to help her when she needed something. This was a lesson she took to heart and eventually here wanderings took her back to her point of origin.
Once back in the town she tried to convince the elders to help the poor but they refused. Furthermore, when she left the town again she was not allowed to take any of her wealth and under no circumstances would she be allowed back in. This did not prove to be a burden as her pure heart caused even the animals to bring her what she needed. Her first act was to make a quilt for a mother and son who were huddled and freezing. Once that was done, her heart was warmed so from that point on she made quilts and gave them away. The joy of those acts made her realize that up until that point her wealth had all been a façade and now she truly understood what it meant to be rich.
This is a story told with such simple passion and elegance that it moves you. Charity is something that you do for yourself, because the act of giving away can give you more joy than the objects themselves could ever have generated in your life.

This is a great little book. After receiving it as a gift, I went out and bought a ton to give to all of my friends with kids, (including the mailman cause we always talk about our kids to each other). Makes a great gift for someone who loves kids. Nice cheap Christmas gift.

Some of these remarks are so pithy they have made it into our everyday speech. "Sometimes your best move is blocked by your own checkers," is one. "If you don't like the birthday girl, don't go to the party" is another. This book makes a nice small gift, too.

This is a great little book to give new moms, teachers, social workers, and anyone who loves children. It will bring smile after smile!

I gave this book to my entire business unit. I think most books on business, how to make a company better, etc. make things too complicated. If you really read each point in this book, it just applies to everything we do in both our personal and business lives. It's how I want my co-workers to behave and treat others. Take for example, the first one- "Jump right in or you might change your mind about swimming." In other words- Sometimes don't anaylze too much, just do it. Or "Ask why until you understand"- In other words, if you don't understand, keep talking until everyone does.....etc.. A GREAT BOOK!

So CUTE!! I felt like I was sitting in a school yard listening in on children talking!! Made me fell young again... lol.

Summary: A comical story of what first appears to be a threatening dragon who the setting's people want to slay. The dragon, however, is of no threat. When St. George is sent to "take care of it" the dragon cowers. When faced with this threat he sullenly, but humorously, replies ". . . Say he can write if he likes, but I can't give him an interview. I am not seeing anybody at present" (page not numbered). The three end fast friends and an uncertain threat is no longer a bother.
The author creates a believable character of a harmless dragon. What usually is portrayed as evil and dangerous, the persona of the dragon generates into a believable story. The twist of the dragon being afraid of St. George adds to the imaginable meaning the writer wants to evolve. Carefully setting the story, the author helps establish the voice of the characters. It evolves into a theme that proves that "things aren't always as they appear."

this is a great kids book. and even i love anything that rhymes. thank you so much.

The original "St. George and the Dragon" story is a frightening tale. Depending on which version you read, the townspeople give the scaly, stinking, vicious, dragon tribute of two sheep per day, and, when they invariably run out of sheep, they begin feeding it their own children. The King is obviously horrified, but what can he do? However, when the lottery selects his own daughter, who should appear but Sir George, (later the patron Saint of England) just in time for the king, if not for the subjects. The daughter worries for his safety, but the knight spears the dragon in its one vulnerable spot, then in a gallant display, borrows the daughter's girdle to drag the wounded dragon down to the town. For his own tribute, George asks only that the citizens become baptized; after this, he cuts off the dragon's head. Not a good ending for the dragon, but then, he wasn't a very nice dragon.

Like others before him, Kenneth Grahame modified this bloody tale for the consumption of the very young, and turned it completely on its head. This dragon would rather sleep than slay, purr than prey, and his true nature is discovered by a tow-headed young boy who gradually becomes friends with the pacifist, poetry-loving beast ("why I wouldn't hurt a fly."). Lay low, he advises him. Naturally, though, St. George arrives, and everyone acts as expected--except for the dragon. He simply refuses to attend his own demise:

"Well, tell him [St. George] to go away," said the dragon. "I'm sure he's not nice. Say he can write if he likes. But I won't see him." The boy, however, understands the underlying social pressures (which echo those of the British class system during Grahame's time) and replies: "But you've got to," said the boy. "You've got to fight him, you know, because he's St. George and you're the dragon."

The dragon, the knight, and the young boy, a person with neither power nor social distinction, make a plan. The plan is simple: Fake it. And so, like one of Vince McMahon's TV "wrestling" matches, St. George and the Dragon have it out, with flames and fury, and, as St. George just barely pierces the dragon in a pre-arranged safe spot. The townspeople, who have brought picnics for the presumed slaughter, were satisfied with the spectacle: "And all the others were happy because there had been a fight, and-well, they didn't need any other reason."

The original story, one of several short studies published in Grahame's "Dream Days" (1898, ten years before Grahame's most famous and beloved work, "The Wind in the Willows") may be found at http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=GraDrea.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=7&division=div1. Grahame wrote "The Reluctant Dragon" long at times, and one sees his concerns with religion and nature so evident in the river adventure scene of Wind in the Willows. Inga Moore takes out most of the slower, descriptive narrative (which might be enjoyed by older readers), and focuses instead on the dragon/boy/St. George relationships and the exciting battle. Compare the following excerpts (the first is Grahame's); this is great abridgement except for the inexplicable deletion of the last sentence, a very funny, modernist touch by Graham:

1. Then a cloud of smoke obscured the mouth of the cave, and out of the midst of it the dragon himself, shining, sea-blue, magnificent, pranced splendidly forth; and everybody said, "Oo-oo-oo!" as if he had been a mighty rocket! His scales were glittering, his long spiky tail lashed his sides, his claws tore up the turf and sent it flying high over his back, and smoke and fire incessantly jetted from his angry nostrils. "Oh, well done, dragon!" cried the Boy, excitedly. "Didn't think he had it in him!" he added to himself.
2. Then a cloud of smoke billowed from the mouth of the cave, and out of the midst of it the dragon himself, shining, sea-blue, magnificent, pranced splendidly forth; and everybody said, "Oo-oo-oo!" His scales were glittering, his long spiky tail lashed his sides, his claws tore up the turf and sent it flying high over his back, and smoke and fire jetted from his nostrils. "Oh, well done, dragon!" cried the Boy, excitedly. "Didn't think he had it in him!" he added to himself.

Moore also displays great taste and talent in her beautiful colored pencil and ink drawings. She draws landscapes and houses in a traditional style with meticulous shading and detail, trees show the undertones of illustration from a 1912 publication. The friendly, easygoing dragon is drawn showing an easy confidence and an engaging smile, but he's actor enough to look ferocious when required. He's drawn in one of the most striking shades of blue since the ceramic in the movie "Diva." Overall, Inga Moore honors the original Grahame story while making the story and pictures maximally entertaining for young children. Publisher Candlewick has done it again; this is an extraordinary book.

Fanciful and charming. I enjoyed reading it to my nephew and he loved it too. The artwork is lovely also. I'm looking forward to reading it again, with or without my nephew.

I bought this book for my future child (due Feb 2006) as part of my growing library. I read it through and thought it was cute, if a bit antiquated (what do you expect for a book that was written over 100 years ago?) Basically, a young boy befriends a dragon. When the townsfolk realize the dragon exists, they call upon a champion to vanquish him, blaming the dragon for crimes that he didn't commit. The boy talks to the champion about his friend and they all agree to stage a fight, rather than fight to the death. Once the play fight is over (the champion only gives the dragon a small flesh wound), it is agreed by all that the dragon will not harm anyone and the townsfolk will stop telling lies about the dragon. Nice moral story.

My only problem with the book is that it has been "sensitively abridged". I'm not sure what that means for "The Reluctant Dragon", but my "sensitively abridged" copy of "The Wind in the Willows" (also by Kenneth Graham) edits out silly things like "splashes of whitewash all over his black fur". If the book has to be so politically correct that it can't even refer to the color of an animal's fur, I'm not sure that I really want to associate with the edition. I'd be curious to compare this edition of "The Reluctant Dragon" with the original text now.